Cybersecurity (D.Sc.)
The mission of the Doctorate of Science (D.Sc.) in cybersecurity is to prepare highly qualified cybersecurity professionals to lead the increasingly complex cyber challenges of the digital world in which we live and protect the digital infrastructure that is critical to the nation’s society and economy. This doctorate program is unique in its location at the center of the United States government’s cybersecurity initiatives; emphasis on the intersections of the technology, ethics, management, leadership, policy, teaching, and data science aspects of cybersecurity; and focus on working practitioners in the field.
Marymount’s Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in cybersecurity program provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to lead the cybersecurity challenges facing governments, businesses, and individuals in the increasingly hostile online environment.
The D.Sc. in cybersecurity is offered in two formats:
- 72-credit Doctorate of Science (D.Sc.) in cybersecurity with students entering with a qualified undergraduate degree
- 36-credit Doctorate of Science (D.Sc.) in cybersecurity with students entering with a master’s degree in a cybersecurity-relevant field
Graduates with this terminal degree will be prepared to take leadership roles in cybersecurity in academia, business, or the non-profit community and make a significant difference to the safety and security of today’s digital world. Students expand their knowledge of cybersecurity, both from its theoretical underpinnings and practical applications. The focus of the program is applied research, advancing the field of cybersecurity, and applications in the real world.
Courses are available online and face-to-face, and students may take any combination to meet the requirements of the program. Students are expected to be engaged throughout the program and adhere to the requirements for ethical behavior, respect for others, and research and writing standards.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to
- lead cybersecurity programs in government, business, and society by researching, analyzing, and applying current and future cybersecurity techniques;
- research contemporary cybersecurity theory and practice and apply these concepts to protecting an increasingly threatened computer infrastructure;
- demonstrate advanced levels of judgment, critical thinking, and accountability in designing and evaluating cybersecurity measures;
- communicate effectively very technical cybersecurity and related computer concepts with others, including academics, cybersecurity professionals, and those who may be less technical;
- apply ethical analysis when generating cybersecurity policy, research, and practice;
- use cybersecurity skills and knowledge to teach or train others in cybersecurity awareness, operation, and defense; and
- publish in professional cybersecurity journals and present at professional cybersecurity conferences.
Admission Requirements:
Post-Bachelor’s entry
- Application
- Application fee: $40
- Official transcripts for all attempted coursework. GPA requirements: GPA 3.0 or considerable work experience
- Resume
- Statement of Research Background and Interests - Please provide a statement that describes research-focused coursework, papers, and projects completed. Please provide evidence of this work and/or college-level writing samples (at least two documents).
- Interview is required for admission. Invitation is extended to those qualified upon application completion.
Post-Master’s entry
- Application
- Application fee: $40
- Official transcripts for all attempted coursework – must include a master’s degree in a related field. GPA requirements: 3.5 or considerable work experience. Note: Students who do not have a solid background in cybersecurity will be required to take relevant courses as prerequisites to the program.
- Resume
- Statement of Research Background and Interests – Please provide a statement that describes research-focused coursework, papers, and work-related cybersecurity projects completed. Please provide evidence of this work and/or college-level writing samples (at least three documents).
- Interview is required for admission. Invitation is extended to those qualified upon application completion.
- College-level statistics course with a B- or better is required.
Residency Requirements: Students must apply for residency to ensure that they benefit and contribute to the full spectrum of educational and professional opportunities provided by the university. To establish residency, students should interact with faculty and peers by regularly participating in class (online or in the classroom), attending professional events sponsored by the university or other institutions, and actively using the university’s library resources. The doctoral residency requirements may be satisfied only after admission into the doctoral program and completion of eighteen (18) credits of doctoral-level courses for at least three (3) consecutive semesters (fall, spring, and summer).
Candidacy Requirements: Students must then apply for candidacy in the D.Sc. in cybersecurity program. They may do so after they have completed twenty four (24) credits of the 700- and 800-level courses and have met the following requirements:
- Achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.5 or passed a comprehensive exam
- Submitted documentation verifying a professional paper was presented at a professional event
- Completed at least two (2) service commitments involving increasing the cybersecurity knowledge and expertise in the community
- Formed a dissertation committee
Degree Requirements - Cybersecurity (D.Sc.) Post Master's
Degree Requirements for those entering with a master’s degree in cybersecurity or equivalent.
36 credits
Degree Required Courses
Courses are listed in recommended sequence of enrollment.
| IT 727 | Managing Security Risk | |
| IT 737 | Securing the Evolving Technology Infrastructure | |
| IT 747 | Cybersecurity in the System's Life-cycle | |
| IT 757 | Cyber Threat Intelligence | |
| IT 767 | Workforce Development: Cybersecurity Education, Training and Certification | |
| IT 777 | Malware Analysis | |
| IT 800 | Beginning Applied Research in Cybersecurity | |
| IT 810 | Applied Research Topics and Methods in Cybersecurity | |
| IT 820 | Applied Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs | |
| IT 830 | Applied Research: The Dissertation Proposal | |
| IT 840 | Applied Research: Dissertation Data Collection and Analysis | |
| IT 850 | Applied Research: Dissertation and Oral Defense Designs | |
Degree Requirements - Cybersecurity (D.Sc.) Post Undergraduate
Degree requirements for those entering with a B.S. in information technology, computer science, or other technical degree.
72 credits
Degree Required Courses
Courses are listed in recommended sequence of enrollment.
| IT 530 | Computer Security | 3 |
| IT 535 | Advanced Computer Security | 3 |
| IT 537 | Computer Forensics and Incident Response | 3 |
| IT 557 | Monitoring, Auditing, and Penetration Testing | 3 |
| IT 560 | Cryptography | 3 |
| IT 567 | Global Cybersecurity | 3 |
| IT 570 | Cybersecurity: Law, Policy, Ethics, and Compliance | 3 |
| IT 575 | Information Security Management | 3 |
| IT 577 | Human Considerations in Cybersecurity | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 580 | Technology Leadership | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 585 | Managing Technical People | 3 |
| | OR | |
| MSC 545 | Project Management | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 587 | Cybersecurity Systems: Certification and Accreditation | 3 |
| IT 670 | Computer Network Defense | 3 |
| IT 727 | Managing Security Risk | |
| IT 737 | Securing the Evolving Technology Infrastructure | |
| IT 747 | Cybersecurity in the System's Life-cycle | |
| IT 757 | Cyber Threat Intelligence | |
| IT 767 | Workforce Development: Cybersecurity Education, Training and Certification | |
| IT 777 | Malware Analysis | |
| IT 800 | Beginning Applied Research in Cybersecurity | |
| IT 810 | Applied Research Topics and Methods in Cybersecurity | |
| IT 820 | Applied Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Research Designs | |
| IT 830 | Applied Research: The Dissertation Proposal | |
| IT 840 | Applied Research: Dissertation Data Collection and Analysis | |
| IT 850 | Applied Research: Dissertation and Oral Defense Designs | |