Advising: Cybersecurity M.S. | NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Advising: Cybersecurity M.S.

Academic Advising information for the Cybersecurity M.S. (online program)


two people at a desk planning

Curriculum

To complete the Cybersecurity M.S. program,  students are required to take:

  • 4 core courses (12 credit hours)
  • 3 breadth electives (9 credit hours)
  • 3 depth electives (9 credit hours)

All Cybersecurity students are also required to complete a capstone project. It is recommended this course is taken in their final semester. Students can complete this requirement by taking one of the following courses: Information Systems Security Engineering & Management (CS-GY 6803), Application Security (CS-GY 9163), or Advanced Project in Computer Science (CS-GY 9963)


Policies for Cybersecurity M.S.

All Cybersecurity M.S students must adhere to all NYU university-wide and NYU Tandon graduate academic policies including maintaining:

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA in all coursework
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA in core classes and capstone
  • Continuous enrollment in the degree program (or receive an approved Leave of Absence)

In addition, all NYU Cyber Fellows are admitted into the Cybersecurity M.S. program under the admission condition, requiring students to earn a B or better in each of their first 2 courses:

  • Information Security & Privacy (CS-GY 6813)
  • Computer Networking (CS-GY 6843)

Failure to meet the admission condition results in academic disqualification.

*With sufficient justification and your advisor's approval, you will be permitted to withdraw from each conditional course (with W grade) one time without being academically disqualified.

 

Program Requirements                Sample Plan of Study

Recommended Course Order

Courses are divided into categories: Core, Breadth Electives, Depth Electives. This course order suggests one course per semester. We always recommend seeking advising guidance as each person’s situation is unique, so we can help tailor a personalized plan that aligns with your goals. 

graphic showing Cyber Fellows Recommended Course Order (see text for full description)
This graphic is a guide for which order we suggest completing courses to earn your Cybersecurity, MS degree.

Course Offering Pattern


National Centers of Academic Excellence (NCAE-C) in Cybersecurity Designation Tracks

NYU Tandon School of Engineering is one of the select institutions recognized by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity with designations in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations.

The Cybersecurity M.S. degree allows students the opportunity to plan their course selection, within the curriculum requirements, following either the Cyber Defense or Cyber Operations tracks outlined below. Learn more about the NSA-CAE Certificates.

 

  • CS-GY 6843 Computer Networking

  • CS-GY 6233 Intro to OS

  • CS-GY 6573 Pen Testing

     


  • CS-GY 6813 Information, Security and Privacy

  • CS-GY 6903 Applied Cryptography

  • CS-GY 9163 Application Security

  • CS-GY 6823 Network Security

  • CS-GY 6843 Computer Networking

  • CS-GY 6233 Intro to OS

  • CS-GY 6803 ISSE&M

  • CS-GY 9223 Mobile Security

  • CS-GY 9223 Offensive Security

     



Experiential Learning for Credit

At NYU Tandon experiential learning opportunities provide students the chance to engage in practical, hands-on learning to refine technical and leadership skills. The MS in Cybersecurity program allows for students to complete various opportunities for credit counting towards degree requirements. In adherence with NYU Tandon Graduate Academic policies, students may not complete more than a combined total of 9 credits of project, guided studies, readings, or thesis toward fulfillment of the MS degree requirements. 

Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) provides opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and develop tangible industry skills in multidisciplinary, project-based courses, which are beneficial for academic and professional goals. 

Students enrolled in the Cybersecurity, MS program can enroll in the VIP course after meeting the program’s admission condition requirement and earn credits (maximum of 3 credits over 2 semesters) toward the depth elective requirements of the degree program. The VIP course for credit is given a letter grade (A-F).

Specific questions about VIP policies or specific projects, should contact vip@nyu.edu.


Students interested in completing a research project for credit may consider  a semester-long advanced project in the area of cybersecurity. The Advanced Project is completed  under the guidance of a full-time faculty member. The research project is outlined and agreed upon between the student and faculty member, and must include a project report and an oral examination. 

The Advanced Project course is a 3-credit course that earns a letter grade (A-F) and counts toward the depth elective requirements of the degree program. It can also be used toward the capstone requirement. The Advanced Project may be taken any semester after meeting the program’s admission condition requirement. However, it is strongly advised to complete at least half of the credit requirements to allow for application of learned concepts within the research project.

Students are required to find a Computer Science and Engineering full-time faculty member to advise their research project. Adjunct instructors are not able to serve as research project advisors; however, they can assist/partner with a full-time faculty member to oversee the project. A faculty member outside of CSE may be approved by the Program Director on a case by case basis.

Specific details about the Advanced Project process can be obtained by contacting cyberfellows@nyu.edu


Students wishing to complete a more extensive research project in cybersecurity can complete a Master’s Thesis adequately demonstrating the student’s proficiency in the subject material. The Master’s Thesis is completed under the guidance of a full-time faculty member. The thesis project is outlined and agreed upon between the student and faculty member, and requires the student to complete an oral thesis presentation before at least three professors and submission of a final manuscript. For more MS thesis requirements, review the NYU Tandon academic policies for ‘MS Thesis Manuscript Presentation and Publication’.  

The Master’s Thesis course is a 3-credit course that is completed over 2 consecutive semesters totaling 6 credits. The Master’s Thesis will replace the capstone requirement and the additional 3 credits will meet Depth Elective degree requirements.  

The course must be taken during the last two semesters of the student’s degree program. 

Students are required to find a Computer Science and Engineering full-time faculty member to advise their thesis project. Adjunct instructors are not able to serve as thesis project advisors; however, they can assist/partner with a full-time faculty member to oversee the project. A faculty member outside of CSE may be approved by the Program Director on a case by case basis.

Specific details about the Master’s Thesis process can be obtained by contacting cyberfellows@nyu.edu.