CSIA Master's Program Details

The online Masters of Science in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance (CSIA) at Southern Utah University focuses on providing students with the knowledge they need to break into the competitive Cybersecurity field.

Our program provides state-of-the-art education into the world of design, planning, and management of cyber systems, as well as the procedures for protecting cyber systems and infrastructure from external threats - including terrorism.

SUU's Master of Science in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance (CSIA) is a 100% online, 30 credit program.

The degree is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) . As such, it is designed to provide graduating students with two emphases:  

The program delivers 30 credits of master-level coursework in Cyber Security and Information Assurance. The program is structured as follows:

Cyber Emphasis Sequencing

Courses Offered

Please refer to the catalog for each emphasis to confirm what courses are offered.
CSIA 6000: Foundations of Cybersecurity with Information Assurance Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Every Semester
This course will provide a foundation of cyber security and information assurance concepts
CSIA 6010: Network and Cloud Security Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Fall - Session B
This course introduces students to the concepts and principles of network security. Students will gain experience in many security technologies that will enable them to apply the security concepts and principles in order to secure networks. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)]
CSIA 6060: Cybersecurity Risk Management Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Spring - Session B
This course will explore the security techniques and fundamentals involved in minimizing critical infrastructure security risks, including how to respond when security has been breached. It introduces students to concepts such as securing Web Clients, servers, and communications. It also investigates the use of firewalls, digital certificates, and legal issues.
CSIA 6300: Cyber Law and Investigations Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Summer - Session A
This course provides students with a basic knowledge in cyber crime investigation and also study case law in relation to data breach litigation. Students will research emerging legislation set forth by state and federal governments relating to cyber crime.
CSIA 6310: Cybersecurity Policies and Compliance Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Fall - Session A
This course addresses various risks and compliance needed to manage and/or minimize security breaches. It uses different frameworks and case studies as a platform to identify vulnerabilities, assess real business risks, and review different security compliance mechanisms and governance programs that fit today's business environment.

Select four courses from the following:

CSIA 6040: Cybersecurity Project Management Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Spring - Session B
This course examines the characteristics of cybersecurity projects and provides an introduction to the disciplined approaches to cybersecurity project management. This course enables students to reinforce their cybersecurity project management skills and provides a roadmap of the development of software intensive systems, and especially gives students opportunities to explore cybersecurity projects.
CSIA 6200: Incident Response Preparedness Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Summer - Session B
Introduces students to concepts of security incident & event management (SIEM), including emergency preparedness, indicators of compromise of systems, and organizational strategy for planning and response to cybersecurity incidents.
CSIA 6320: Cybersecurity and Enterprise Frameworks Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Spring - Session A
This course is designed to introduce the objectives and benefits of cybersecurity frameworks. The course outlines the requirements, establishment, operation, monitoring, maintenance, and improvement of security frameworks, as well as insight into the best practices using enterprise frameworks.
CSIA 6330: Cyber Security Auditing Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Fall - Session B
This course provides an introduction to the key trends of auditing corporate information systems including multiple operating systems and system roles.
CSIA 6850: Cybersecurity Special Topics Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Summer - Session A
Special topics in cybersecurity with information assurance problems related to cybersecurity practice and theory, with emphasis on implementation and analysis of current and emerging cybersecurity technologies, utilizing best practice principles. Topics may vary by semester. Course is repeatable up to nine (9) credits with change of topic.

Required:

BA 6000 - Business Foundations Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Every Semester
This course provides an accelerated overview of the basic fundamentals of accounting, finance, marketing, statistics, and the use of Excel that MBA students will require for success in the program.
This course is waived for students with an undergraduate business degree from an AACSB-accredited institution.

Select three courses from the following:

MGMT 6100: Managing People & Organizations Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Every Semester
This course examines the principles of organizational behavior involved in managing people and organizations in a business environment. Topics include leadership, motivation, effective teams, conflict and negotiations, power and influence, organizational culture, and change management. This course focuses on the practical application of these principles in a meaningful and ethical manner.
MGMT 6150: Leadership Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Fall - Session B, Spring - Session B, Summer - Session A
The purpose of the course is to enable students to prepare themselves to become leaders of organizations and to embark on paths of personal leadership development. The course requires personal curiosity and reflection from students as well as personal openness and sharing in class discussions. Leadership development concepts used in the course will be immediately applicable for students and useful for the rest of their lives.
MGMT 6250: Authentic Leadership Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Spring - Session A, Summer - Session B
This course builds on the foundations of leadership to help students develop into effective, authentic leaders. Taking a practical approach, this course will help students become more self-aware of their natural leadership style, how their personal leadership impacts others, and what they can do to become a more effective and authentic leader.
MGMT 6260: Effective Teams Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | Spring
This course covers a deep exploration of what it takes to build effective teams. Participants will study what makes teams effective, what is required to build trust on teams, handling team conflict, creating accountability on teams, practical leadership strategies when leading teams, multicultural and virtual teams and team branding.
CSIA 6500: Capstone/Internship Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | As Needed
This course requires the student to be engaged in capstone project or approved internship.
OR
CSIA 6510: Thesis Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | As Needed
This course requires the student to be engaged in either a thesis project.
OR
One CSIA Elective Course Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3 | See Catalog
Any CSIA elective course (Cybersecurity or Management emphasis) can be taken to replace CSIA 6500 or 6510

Program Calendar

Term Start Date Application Deadline Document Deadline Registration Deadline Tuition Deadline Last Class Day
Summer II 7/5/23 6/20/23 6/27/23 6/29/23 7/5/23 8/20/23
Fall I 8/30/23 8/16/23 8/23/23 8/25/23 8/30/23 10/15/23
Fall II 10/18/23 10/4/23 10/11/23 10/13/23 10/18/23 12/10/23
Spring I 2024 1/8/24 12/25/23 1/1/24 1/3/24 1/8/24 2/25/24
Spring II 2024 3/4/24 TBA TBA TBA TBA 4/18/24
Summer I 2024 5/13/24 TBA TBA TBA TBA 6/28/23

For further academic deadlines, see the University Academic Calendar

Why CSIA?

Two major issues are at the forefront when it comes to addressing cybersecurity:

  1. The global cybersecurity skills gap
  2. The lack of diversity in the cybersecurity workforce

Studies have shown that 3.4 million people are needed to fill the global cybersecurity workforce gap. A survey by the World Economic Forum found that 59% of businesses would find it difficult to respond to a cybersecurity incident due to the shortage of skills. It also states that the cybersecurity sector needs 3.4 million people to fill its workforce gap.

Our 100% online MS-Cybersecurity with Information Assurance (CSIA) program offers exceptional education quality and a robust curriculum. Students are given the choice between two great emphases: Cybersecurity Strategy and Management. Courses in this SUU online degree focus on network security, cyberlaw, risk management, compliance, and policies.  Earning your master's in CSIA will help you gain the skills you need to navigate the challenges that today's organizations face.