Networking & Cybersecurity Degree Program in VA - Fairfax University of America

Master of Science in Networking and Cybersecurity (MSNCS) Degree Program Overview

Networking and cybersecurity studies equip students with the skills necessary to design and protect systems across multiple business settings. Virtually all businesses have a dedicated cybersecurity team to protect assets, data, and information making cybersecurity one of the most growing and in-demand jobs in the market. The versatile Master of Science in Networking and Cybersecurity (MSNCS) program at Fairfax University of America prepares students to be transformative network engineers in a global society. The program is ideal for any student looking to increase their knowledge of the topic, from undergraduates without a computer science degree to seasoned professionals.

Master of Science in Networking and Cybersecurity Degree Program Objectives

To graduate from our master’s in cybersecurity and networking program, students must complete 12 courses and earn 36 credits. The required coursework includes four core classes, two career applications, and six specializations. The program features a combination of theory and practice, reviewing traditional and innovative topics in networking and cybersecurity.

As with all our programs, the primary goal of the master’s in cybersecurity and networking degree is to help students secure a productive career in their field. To help ensure our graduates find rewarding jobs, the MSNCS program provides them with the following competencies:

Development, analysis, and management of diverse architectural models
Effective communication between employees and cross-functional teams
Identification and utilization of defense strategies that can secure information and networks and support business objectives
Practical application of copyright, forensics, privacy, and security in social and professional situations
Social, ethical, and legal understanding associated with various technologies and how they apply to networking and cybersecurity

MSNCS Degree Program Course Work

What Are Micro-Credentials?

Students enrolled in the MSNCS program also can earn several micro-credentials to enhance their education and broaden their career opportunities. These additional qualifications focus on specific skills within a field of study. What’s more, students enrolled in our graduate and undergraduate programs can earn these credentials at no additional cost. The Office of Micro-Credentials offers the following certifications to students in our networking and cybersecurity program:

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
IT Security Consultant (ITSC)
Senior Network Engineer (SNWE)
Digital Forensic Analyst (DFA)

Since our master’s in networking program goes over advanced material, students should understand the basic concepts of this topic before taking these courses. There are five prerequisite classes for this program students need to complete before taking the core courses in the MSNCS degree program. Additionally, students must fulfill any graduate program admission requirements regarding prior education, college readiness, and other criteria to apply.

Career Outlook With A Networking & Cybersecurity Master’s Degree

As advancements in technology continue to rise, complications with cybersecurity and computer networks are growing. Organizations across nearly every sector need professionals who can help them manage networking tasks and maintain a secure infrastructure for data and systems. As a result, individuals who receive a master’s degree in networking and cybersecurity can pursue numerous career paths. The average annual salaries as stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are included:

Security Architect ($116,780)
Senior Network Engineer ($120,520)
Information Security Analyst ($103,590)
Chief Information Security Officer ($213,020)
Professor of Networking and Cybersecurity ($85,540)

Earn Your Master’s of Science in Networking & Cybersecurity Degree

Turn to the MSNCS program at Fairfax University of America for outstanding, business-focused instruction in networking and cybersecurity. Besides offering affordable education, we also provide students with the flexibility to structure their studies according to their distinct learning needs.

To learn more about our MSNCS program, request information online. You can also fill out an application today to start classes.

MSNCS CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Master’s in Networking and Cybersecurity degree requires completion of 36 credits. Students will take 12 credits of core courses which is common with all the programs, 6 credits of career application, and 18 credits in Networking and Cybersecurity content area.

Area	Number of Courses	Credits
Core Courses	4	12
Career Application Courses	2	6
Specialization Courses	6	18
Total	12	36

Program Prerequisites

All new Networking and Cybersecurity program students need certain basic skills to prepare them for success in this field. The Networking and Cybersecurity degree provides a broad understanding of Networking and Cybersecurity technology. Students who do not have the required background need to take some or all the prerequisite courses before taking the core courses. Thus, to be successful, students must have a background in the following courses.

Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Microcredentials	Credits
COMP 109	Computer Algorithm and Programming Logic Using Python	None		3
COMP 260	Introduction to Operating Systems	COMP 109		3
COMP 270	Essentials of Networking	COMP 109		3
COMP 329	Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis	None		3
COMP 350	Database Concepts	None		3

Core Courses (4 core course- 12 Credits)

These courses provide a breadth of foundational knowledge to implement computer interfaces, software design, communication between systems, and how to manage IT systems. These are all crucial elements for IT professionals to apply these building blocks to any given system or project.

Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Microcredentials	Credits
COMP 501	Advanced Operating Systems	COMP 260		3
COMP 502	Design and Analysis of Algorithms	COMP 329		3
COMP 503	Networking and Telecommunications	COMP 270		3
COMP 504	Database Management Systems	COMP 350		3

Application Courses (2 Courses – 6 Credits)

These courses offer an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned throughout the program to a practical project or to a master’s thesis. While the practical project provides for application of knowledge acquired throughout the program and would be represent work that could demonstrate career-readiness to potential employers, the thesis would generally serve to demonstrate a student’s research potential and could be used to demonstrate readiness for doctoral work. Regardless of the option, students will demonstrate basic research knowledge and abilities, which would be used toward completion of either the project or thesis.

Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Microcredentials	Credits
COMP 505	Research Methods	None		3
Choose One of the Following
COMP 680	Network and Cybersecurity Capstone Project	COMP 505		3
COMP 698	Master Thesis	COMP 505		3

Specialization Courses (Any 6 Courses – 18 Credits)

These advanced courses cover the depth of topics related to networking and cybersecurity and allow students to develop their knowledge based upon their intended professional trajectories.

Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Microcredentials	Credits
COMP 510	Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems	None	CISO/DFA	3
COMP 511	Cloud Security	None	CISO/SNWE	3
COMP 512	Special Topics in Networking	COMP 503		3
COMP 519	Special Topics in Cybersecurity	COMP 503		3
COMP 520	Digital Forensics	None	ITSC/DFA	3
COMP 527	Distributed Operating Systems	COMP 501		3
COMP 532	Operating System Security	None		3
COMP 533	IoT and Smart Cities Security	None	DFA	3
COMP 534	Information Risk Management	None	CISO/ITSC	3
COMP 591	Internship I in Networking and Cybersecurity	Completion of core courses and 50% of the program courses		3
COMP 620	Wireless Network Security	COMP 503	SNWE	3
COMP 621	Data Security and Protection	None	SNWE	3
COMP 622	Principles of GIS	None		3
COMP 623	Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)	None	Cisco Certificate	3
COMP 625	Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)	None	(ISC)^2Certificate/ITSC	3
COMP 629	Privacy and Security in Big Data	None		3
COMP 691	Internship II in Networking and Cybersecurity	COMP 591		3

NOTE: Students who wish to take a course that is offered by in another program may petition to do so to their advisor by providing justification for the relevance of the addition as part of their professional trajectory, their intended consulting project, and/or personal interest. A maximum of 2 courses from can be applied from another program.

Master of Science in Networking and Cybersecurity