Applied Information Technology, Cyber Security Concentration (MS)

Who should apply?

The comprehensive education and developmental experience earned in this program is essential for aspiring IT leaders. The ideal applicant will have several years of professional experience after earning a BS degree, strong work performance, a working knowledge of information technology, an increasing leadership role and responsibilities with the potential for even broader and higher level assignments, and an unwavering commitment to his or her technical, analytical, and management skill sets.

Why choose George Mason?

• The MS in Applied Information Technology provides the very best graduate education in IT for high-potential leaders, especially those working on IT solutions that affect the federal government, industry or non-profit.
• In addition to student demand for the program, regional and national employers seek out MS AIT graduates.
• Highly credentialed and preeminent MS AIT faculty members will take students beyond theory and expose them to practical day-to-day IT issues.
• Along with the BS IT, this program assembles a curriculum based on the needs of the region, with a specific focus on the federal sector. In fact, as a board of advisors, leading area employers provide guidance in curriculum development and continue to engage with the program as reviewers of students’ capstone projects.
• Student support services including online and face-to-face advising consultations, web resources, and social resources are available to help you stay connected with the university and keep you on track to graduate.
• This entire degree is offered in an online format and can be successfully completed on a part-time basis to fit your schedule.
• In 2018, the MS AT program, Cybersecurity concentration, was ranked among the top-25 online programs in the US (ranked 23rd) by U.S. News & World Report becoming the highest ranked online program that George Mason offers.

Program requirements may change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 30-36 credits total

• 12 credits core courses
• 18 credits concentration courses

Sufficient courses are offered to complete the entire degree online. Most online courses are delivered asynchronously and offerings vary by semester. Each semester, contact an MS AIT advisor to discuss your course completion plan.

Core Courses

• AIT 512 Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials
• AIT 524 Database Management Systems
• AIT 542 Fundamentals of Computing Platforms
• AIT 664 Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization

Concentration Courses

Cyber Security (CYBR)

Foundation

Choose four of the following:

• AIT 660 Cyber Security Fundamentals | 3 credits
• AIT 670 Cloud Computing Security | 3 credits
• AIT 681 Secure Software Development | 3 credits
• AIT 682 Network and Systems Security | 3 credits
• AIT 702 Incident Handling and Penetration Testing | 3 credits

Electives
Choose two of the following:

• AIT 590 Topics in Applied Information Technology | 3 credits
• AIT 672 Identity and Access Management | 3 credits
• AIT 690 Advanced Topics in Applied Information Technology | 3 credits
• AIT 699 Research Project | 3 credits
• AIT 701 Cyber Security: Emerging Threats and Countermeasures | 3 credits
• AIT 712 Applied Biometric Technologies | 3 credits
• AIT 736 Applied Machines Learning | 3 credits
• AIT 790 Advanced Special Topics in Applied Information Technology | 3 credits
• AIT 799 Master’s Thesis | 3 credits

Other concentrations are available through a hybrid of online and face-to-face courses. See the catalog or contact the Mason Engineering Online Office (meo@gmu.edu) for more information.

Tuition (2019-2020)

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.

Career Descriptions

The MS in Applied Information Technology is the very best graduate education in IT for high-potential leaders, especially those working on IT solutions that affect the federal government, industry or non-profit. The program leverages scholarship, academic research, and industry best practices, processes, and methodologies in the areas of information technology (IT), including Cyber Security, Big Data Analytics and Intelligence Methods, and Cyber-Human Systems.

Graduates of this program find jobs that focus on the application of IT, including:

• Cyber Security Consultant (Analyst, Engineer, Architect)
• Intelligence Analyst
• Business Systems Analyst
• Project Management Analyst
• Senior Systems Administrator
• Senior IT Consultant

As a Mason student, you may contact Mason Career Services for more career information and counseling.

All applicants should review Office of Graduate Admissions steps for How to Apply. For international applicants, see guidelines for International Graduate Requirements.

Prerequisites

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school
• A GPA of at least 3.00 in the 60 highest-level credits
• Experienced in the fundamentals of IT and quantitative methods
• International students must have a TOEFL score of 80 points total overall (with no section minimum) for Graduate Studies and/or Research Assistantships. A score of 88 points total overall (with a minimum of 20 points in each section) is required for international applicants seeking Graduate Assistantships.

Application Materials

• Graduate application
• Application fee
• Two official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Goals statement
• Resume

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the IST Department at msait@gmu.edu or 703-993-3565.