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MS in Computer Science with Cybersecurity Track at Virginia Tech in 2023

Cybersecurity is a method of protecting systems, networks and any other digital infrastructure from malware or malicious cyber-attacks. According to recent research, cybercrime damages projects to exceed a staggering $6 trillion by 2021.

It’s no wonder that all the tech companies, hospitals, government agencies, and every other sector are investing in cybersecurity to protect their business and gain the trust of millions of their customers with their data. 

Cybersecurity is a vital security infrastructure that includes multiple layers of protection throughout a company’s computer, programs, software and networks. Every second around 14 cyber-attacks occur around the world.

To reduce this massive data phishing and stealing, firewalls, antivirus software, anti-spyware software and all password management tools must be up–to–date and must work in harmony to stop these malicious activities. 

Cybersecurity against malware is the most critical issue in today’s society, as the tech world is growing both ways in a good way and wrong way.

Antivirus software is required to combat this suspicious malware in the internet cloud. To create such cybersecurity tools for sophisticated malware, we need professional cybersecurity experts who use their creativity and intelligence to create the most powerful tool for protection.

Virginia Tech University is on a mission to produce cybersecurity professionals to combat the world’s problems related to privacy and security. The institution is ranked no. 31 on the Best engineering schools list.

The students here get to learn about cybersecurity in computer science in the most efficient way as the school makes sure that every student should have a practical approach to their subjects. 

Why Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech offers Masters’s and Doctoral degrees in Computer Science Engineering in the area of cybersecurity and research. The institute has faculty from the computer science department with a strong focus on engineering and science streams.

It offers deeply technical programs in cybersecurity with the help of world-class research information on the security of data, networks and hardware.

Security centers such as the Hume center for National Security and technology, and the security lab of the CIO organization use the Virginia tech university’s production as a teaching hospital for cybersecurity.

Graduate Degree Program

Students interested in cybersecurity engineering can earn a graduate certificate from the institution by completing some courses in a particular field.

Admission requirement 

  • The online application form should be submitted before the deadline.
  • There should be at least three letters of recommendation
  • One must have a 3.5 or higher GPA in a bachelor’s degree program
  • The international applicant must submit their IELTS or TOEFL score with the online application.
  • The resume, along with a statement of purpose, should be submitted with the online application.

The program required To Complete the following Subjects

  • CS 5560 – Fundamentals of Information Security 

The course gives information about the basic fundamentals of securing information and data.

  • Restricted Electives – CS 5584- Network security, CS 5580- Cryptography and CS 5590- System and software security 

From these electives, students are required to select any two according to their area of interest.

  • Electives- CS 5204- operating systems, CS 5504- Computer Architecture, ECE 5520- Secure Hardware Design.

From the given subject, the student is required to select only one subject.

Admission requirements for Ph.D. program

  • Applicants must submit the online application along with the resume and statement of purpose before the due date.
  • The applicant should submit the non-refundable application fee along with the form.
  • There should be at least three recommendation letters
  • The GRE score is not required if the GPA in both postgraduate and undergraduate was 3.5 or above. 

The doctorate of philosophy is the highest degree awarded by the university to students who demonstrate outstanding original scholarship during their advanced study.

It states that the student can conduct independent research and has a broad knowledge of all the areas.

Course requirement 

Each student must complete a minimum of 92 credit hours, including 30 course credit hours, 60 research credit hours, and two seminar credit hours. The seminar requirement is not for students who earned their master’s degree from the university itself.

The ability to perform independent research is the prime requisite for Ph.D. students. The candidate’s research is developing a dissertation that describes the research and result, demonstrating the students’ expertise in complete detail.

Conclusion

The master’s and Ph.D. degrees in cybersecurity will give one the expertise in the subject and ensure the diligence required to protect the data, networks, or hardware of various companies from various sophisticated malware.

It will also make him aware of the current cybersecurity scenario and help him give an idea of how to develop a system that is safer and more secure. 

The students with master’s and Ph.D. are respected in the market because they certainly know more about creating a perfect system to help the world overcome securing their data from attackers.

Kevin James

Kevin James

I'm Kevin James, and I'm passionate about writing on Security and cybersecurity topics. Here, I'd like to share a bit more about myself. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Utica College, New York, which has been the foundation of my career in cybersecurity. As a writer, I have the privilege of sharing my insights and knowledge on a wide range of cybersecurity topics. You'll find my articles here at Cybersecurityforme.com, covering the latest trends, threats, and solutions in the field.