Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
Hybrid, On-Campus, Online
About the MS in Cybersecurity at Loyola
Cybersecurity is an increasingly critical practice as organizations across all industries face mounting challenges to protect their devices, networks, software, and data from cyber threats and attacks. As demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals grows, Loyola’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity equips students with the skills and experience needed to begin or advance a successful career in cybersecurity.
The Cybersecurity MS program offers a balance of technical and experiential learning through interdisciplinary coursework, innovative instruction, and opportunities to engage in research, competitions, and internships. Guided by Loyola’s faculty, composed of active researchers and experienced practitioners, students develop advanced knowledge and earn first-hand experience in cybersecurity fundamentals, threat analysis, secure system design, incident detection and response, ethical hacking and penetration testing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and more.
Graduates emerge prepared to support cybersecurity efforts in industries such as finance, government, healthcare, law enforcement, and beyond.
Program Structure
The MS in Cybersecurity is a 30-credit hour program consisting of 10 courses. You will take five required courses and choose five elective courses from a range of technical and experiential computer science, network security, and computer forensics courses to prepare you for a career in cybersecurity. Depending on your academic background, up to three prerequisite courses in computer science may be required to enroll in the MS program.
The Cybersecurity MS program can be taken part-time or full-time. Taken part-time, the program can be completed in two to four years. Pursued full-time, the program can be completed in as little as a year and a half to two years.
The program is offered on-campus, online, or in a hybrid format with a mix of in-person and remote classes. In-person classes are held on the Lake Shore Campus, conveniently located on Chicago's North Side just steps away from the Red Line “L” stop and a short train ride away from downtown.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Master's in Cybersecurity?
In today’s interconnected world, robust cybersecurity measures have become essential to protect personal data, financial systems, and critical infrastructure from rising threats like misinformation and cyberattacks. With flexible learning options and a mission-driven focus, Loyola University Chicago’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity provides students with the advanced technical training and ethical grounding needed to effectively safeguard privacy and defend critical systems in this impactful, fast-growing field.
- Cutting edge learning opportunities
- Flexible and affordable
- Exceptional faculty and research opportunities
- Gain real-world experience
- National recognition and funding
- Develop career-ready skills in a high-demand field
- Mission-driven education
- Open to students from all academic backgrounds
Loyola's MS in Cybersecurity program prepares students to tackle today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges in fields like transportation, energy, healthcare, and personal privacy. Program outcomes focus on essential skills such as threat analysis, secure system design, ethical hacking, and incident response.
The program offers online, in-person, and hybrid learning options that can be taken part-time or full-time, allowing you to design a custom courseload that can flex to balance your personal and professional commitments.
Loyola also offers a competitive tuition rate with scholarship and funding opportunities to make our academically rigorous program more accessible and affordable than many of our peer institutions, locally and nationally.
Courses in the Cybersecurity MS are taught by experienced professionals and active researchers who are well-versed and ready to share their expertise in the latest cybersecurity tools, technology, and strategic skills required to succeed and advance in the field.
Students have opportunities to conduct research alongside our world-class faculty in areas such as phishing prevention, adversarial machine learning, cybersecurity ethics, and more.
Loyola students actively participate in cybersecurity internships and competitions, earning a strong record of high-ranking performances at national contests like the National Cyber League and the Department of Energy CyberForce competition.
Students will also have an opportunity to join Loyola’s cybersecurity clubs, including Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and 7968, to gain practical experience and build connection with their peers.
Loyola University Chicago is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency (NSA). Loyola and its Center for Cybersecurity have received over $6 million in external funding for cybersecurity research and education from the NSA, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and private foundations like the Motorola Solutions Foundation and the Dr. Scholl Foundation. Loyola is also a member of the US CyberCommand Academic Engagement Network, enabling direct collaboration on national cybersecurity projects.
These working relationships with national agencies and corporations support education and research and empower Loyola students to be highly competitive candidates in the modern workforce.
Graduate with career-ready skills designed to address critical societal needs, including safeguarding financial systems, securing infrastructure, protecting privacy, and stopping misinformation.
Grounded in Loyola’s Jesuit values, the program focuses on ethical cybersecurity practices, including safeguarding privacy, combating misinformation, protecting financial systems, and maintaining stable, secure infrastructure to support communities and critical services.
The program welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds, even those without a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or computer science.
Students who hold an unrelated bachelor’s degree must take three prerequisite courses alongside their cybersecurity coursework, ensuring they are fully prepared for success in the program.
Department of Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science's expert faculty, composed of experienced practitioners, provide hands-on, real-world learning opportunities to prepare students to address the ever-evolving challenges of computer science and pursue successful careers in cybersecurity, software engineering, information technology, and beyond.
The Department is also home to the Center for Cybersecurity, an academic hub dedicated to fostering opportunities for innovative teaching, engaged learning, interdisciplinary research, career development, and more. Explore stories about students, alumni, and faculty in the Department of Computer Science and the Center for Cybersecurity to discover why Loyola is right for you.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the department faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Cybersecurity MS program.
FacultyMS in Cybersecurity: Career Connections
As a graduate of the MS in Cybersecurity program, you will be prepared to meet the increasing demand for a range of professional opportunities in one of the country’s fastest-growing industries.
Specific job options and career paths include:
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Network and systems administrator
- Computer forensic investigator
- Information security analyst
- Database administrator
- Software developer
- Security engineer
- Penetration tester
Loyola University Chicago is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), a network of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities nationwide. This membership provides our graduates with access to career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
Demand and earning potential for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow, with approximately 500,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the United States alone (Cyberseek, 2024). The median salary for cybersecurity professionals is $120,360 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).
For more information and the most recent data, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to explore the job outlook, career paths, and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Cybersecurity MS program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Cybersecurity MS learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMS in Cybersecurity Results and Skills
Depending on your course selection, the MS in Cybersecurity program will support you in developing skills that may include:
- Understanding of fundamental principles and concepts of cybersecurity, including confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and authorization
- Ability to identify, assess, and develop strategies to mitigate security threats, vulnerabilities, and cybersecurity attacks
- Capacity to design and implement secure systems and networks at all stages of the development lifecycle
- Ability to detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents, including malware infections, data breaches, and denial-of-service attacks
- Competency in ethical hacking and penetration testing
- Understanding of how to adhere to ethical principles and professional standards for cybersecurity
- Ability to assess the security of systems and networks and recommend remediation strategies
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Cybersecurity MS totals $36450.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,215.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
The Graduate School Funding Opportunities
Information about funding opportunities within The Graduate School can be found on The Graduate School website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Graduate School offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Cybersecurity MS are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall, Spring, & Summer: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Cybersecurity MS include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Please write a brief statement of purpose on why you would like to enroll in the Cybersecurity MS program at Loyola University Chicago.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Cybersecurity MS program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
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