Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Apply Now for Spring 2025

Online Degree Overview

Cybersecurity isn’t just about keeping your individual computers and devices safe, it’s about safeguarding our society and our world. Whether that’s from rogue criminals and gangs who want to steal your money or identity, or nation states and terror groups who want to disrupt defense systems, elections, or cripple our energy infrastructure, the need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals who can stop these attacks has never been greater. Obtaining a degree in cybersecurity online is an important step in becoming a world-class cybersecurity professional.

Georgia Tech's Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity (OMS Cybersecurity) is the only interdisciplinary degree in cybersecurity from a U.S. News & World Report Top 10-ranked public university that you can earn online, on your own schedule, for a tuition less than $10,000. The program, offered part-time, is designed for working professionals and can be completed in two to three years.

The OMS Cybersecurity program provides the foundations so you can:

  • Understand the nature of risks and pathways of threats to cyber and cyber-physical systems.
  • Develop an awareness of vulnerabilities to software, networks, and computer systems.
  • Comprehend methods and strategies for protecting data on networks, in software, as well as other cyber and cyber-physical systems.
  • Examine the constraints and costs of cybercrime and espionage to privacy, communication, and use of technology.
  • Investigate the role that government, corporate, and coalition policies can have towards slowing and stopping cybercrime and surveillance.

Cybersecurity Program-at-a-Glance

  • $310 per credit hour icon
    $310 per credit hour
  • 10 Courses (32 credit hours) icon
    10 Courses (32 credit hours)
  • 2-3 Years Part-Time Program icon
    2-3 Years Part-Time Program
  • 3 Tracks icon
    3 Tracks
  • 100% Online icon
    100% Online

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Admissions

  • Information Security Requirements
  • Cyber-Physical Systems Track Requirements
  • Policy Track Requirements
  • Admission Deadlines
  • How to Apply
  • International Applicants
Information Security Requirements

Prerequisites 
For admission into the Information Security Track of the Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, all applicants are expected to have:

  • A Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.*
  • A good understanding of computer science fundamentals such as data structures and algorithms, processor architectures, operating systems, and networking protocols.
  • At least one college-level course or equivalent knowledge in discrete mathematics.
  • Strong programming skills and coding experience.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

*Qualified applicants with other degrees and relevant work experience in software development/architecture, cryptography, secure computer systems, and/or network security are also encouraged to apply. Applicants with such experience must be able to demonstrate in their application deeper understanding of these areas. If you only have familiarity with systems related to them (such as configuring a network firewall), you may not have the foundational knowledge needed for admission and successful completion of the program.

Online Application  
Admission is a competitive process and we carefully review all facets of your application. The information you include in your application assists our admissions committee in evaluating your potential for success in the program. Your application will not be reviewed until all of your  supporting documents  have been submitted.  

International Students  
For international graduate applicants, please review the  international student’s tab for requirements.  

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Cyber-Physical Systems Track Requirements

Prerequisites 
For admission into the Cyber-Physical Systems Track of the Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, all applicants are expected to have:

  • A Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering.
  • Basic familiarity with energy systems fundamentals and systems and controls is preferred.
  • Strong programming skills.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

*Qualified applicants with degrees in related fields and relevant work experience in cyber-physical, power, and/or embedded systems are also encouraged to apply.

Online Application  
Admission is a competitive process and we carefully review all facets of your application. The information you include in your application assists our admissions committee in evaluating your potential for success in the program. Your application will not be reviewed until all of your  supporting documents  have been submitted.  

International Students  
For international graduate applicants, please review the international  student’s  tab for requirements.  

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Policy Track Requirements

Prerequisites 
For admission into the Policy Track of the Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, all applicants are expected to have:

Applicants with technical backgrounds are expected to have:

  • A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution in Engineering or Computer Science.
  • Relevant experience in information system security management in a government, military, or business setting.
  • Two- to-three college-level courses in political science, law, public policy, economics, or international relations.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

Applicants with non-technical backgrounds are expected to have:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Business, Economics, International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, Pre-law, or law degrees.
  • One- to two-years of practical experience in the management or operation of information systems or networks.
  • At least one college-level course in computer science or programming.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in prior undergraduate or graduate programs.

Applicants who are accepted into the program, and lack a sufficient technical background, are encouraged to take a computer science course to ensure success in the program (we recommend Introduction to Computing in Python). It your responsibility to start the program with this foundation knowledge.

Online Application  
Admission is a competitive process and we carefully review all facets of your application. The information you include in your application assists our admissions committee in evaluating your potential for success in the program. Your application will not be reviewed until all of your  supporting documents have been submitted.  

International Students  
For international graduate applicants, please review the  international student’s tab for requirements.  

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Admission Deadlines

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline — including unofficial transcripts, letters of recommendation, and TOEFL scores (if applicable).

Spring Enrollment (January)
Standard Application Deadline: June 15
Final Application Deadline:  Aug .1

Fall Enrollment (August)
Standard Application Deadline: Feb. 1
Final Application Deadline:  March 15

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How to Apply

Ready to apply? You're in the right place. Applications are accepted year-round.   

What You Need  
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:  

  • Official transcripts from each institution attended. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.  
  • Lawful Presence Document (U.S. Citizens Only). Applicants must verify their lawful presence in the United States prior to enrollment.  
  • English Proficiency (International Students Only). The  language of instruction at Georgia Tech is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum test scores and expectations are found on our International Students tab.  
  • References. You  will initiate the process through the online application by entering the name and email addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to the recommender requesting a brief online recommendation. Please inform your references that they must submit the form for your application to be complete.  
  • Test Scores (Optional). You  may choose to submit standardized test scores, most commonly GRE or GMAT. This is not required for admission into the program.  

Program-Specific Questions/Materials  

  • Personal Statements. Describe your specific career goals and objectives, the decision to pursue an advanced degree, and other information that may be useful to the admissions committee.   
  • Professional Resume. A listing of your professional experience and uploaded to the online application.  

Start Your Application  
You can submit your application to the program at any time of the year. If you have any questions during the application process, please check our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the  Student Services Team

Please set aside sufficient time — usually about two to three weeks — for Graduate Studies to receive and process your supporting documents. We cannot guarantee applications received after the deadline will be reviewed in time for the applied semester.  

Application Fee  
A non-refundable application fee must be paid online with a credit card or electronic check if you have a U.S. bank account. The application fee is $95 for U.S. applicants and $105 for international applicants. Your application will not be received until the fee is paid.  

Status Checking  
Once your application is completed and submitted, you may monitor its progress through CollegeNet’s online status check system (using the same CollegeNet user ID and password created when you applied).  

Technical Requirements  
There are technical requirements for our online degree program. Please review the technology requirements in the Frequently Asked Questions area below.  

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International Applicants

Georgia Tech considers you an international applicant if you are neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident, even if you currently reside in the U.S under a non-immigrant visa. Since the program is 100% online, international students admitted to the program will not be offered visas. International students do not require U.S. residency to enroll in the program. All applicants residing within the U.S. must satisfy the lawful presence requirement.

The admissions criteria applied in evaluating international applicants are the same as those for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. All application materials, including transcripts and recommendations, must be submitted in English in addition to their native language (if not originally in English). All applicants must satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement of admission to Georgia Tech. If an international applicant is using a TOEFL or IELTS score to satisfy this requirement, please note that admission to this degree requires the minimum scores outlined below.

Georgia Tech requires that all applicants demonstrate proof of English language proficiency. Listed below are the ways that this requirement can be satisfied:

  • U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents can submit Lawful Presence documents
  • International applicants can:
    • provide proof of citizenship from an approved country listed here
    • provide a transcript from a regionally accredited university or college located in the United States reflecting a minimum of one academic year (3 quarters or 2 semesters) of full-time enrollment
    • provide a transcript from a university or college located in one of these listed countries reflecting a minimum of one academic year (3 quarters or 2 semesters) of full-time enrollment
    • Applicants not meeting any of the above criteria who studied at a school where the language of instruction is English but the country in which the school is located is not listed here are required to submit acceptable standardized test scores as outlined below.

If you do not meet any of the above listed criteria, you will be required to submit a standardized test score to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement.

Our program-specific accepted tests and minimum score requirement for admission are listed below. Please note that meeting Georgia Tech’s minimum score does not guarantee admission since some programs (such as this one) have higher score requirements.

  • Official IELTS Academic test score (send scores to Georgia Institute of Technology, "Graduate")
    • IELTS ≥ 7.5 overall (with a minimum band score for Reading, Listening, and Speaking of 6.5; minimum band score for Writing is 6.0)
  • Official internet based (iBT) TOEFL score (send scores to Georgia Institute of Technology, "Graduate", institute code 5248)
    • TOEFL iBT ≥ 100 overall (with each section also scoring 20 or higher)

We recommend that you achieve acceptable scores prior to submitting your application. Scores must be no more than two years old on the day you are scheduled to begin your graduate studies. Failure to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement will impact our ability to review an application.

Transcripts

All applicants to the OMS Analytics Program must hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalent to be considered for admission. A three-year degree is not equivalent to the U.S. bachelor's degree. Neither professional designations nor work experience will count toward the fourth year of study. We're unable to make exceptions to this policy.

Georgia Tech does not accept any private evaluation of academic documents, such as those provided by companies like WES. Official transcripts and degree documents should be submitted at the time of application, but unofficial scans uploaded to your application are acceptable for the sake of admission consideration. Official copies can then be provided to us upon an offer of admission, as required.

Georgia Tech requires the following documents from international applicants:

  • Official native-language transcripts from every college/university attended for credit, even if that credit wasn’t earned or was transferred to another school
  • Official English translation of the native language transcript
  • Official native language degree documents
  • Official English translation of the native language degree document
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Cost & Aid

  • Tuition and Fees
  • Payments and Refunds
  • Financial Assistance
Tuition and Fees

Program Tuition               $9,920
Program Credit Hours    32
Cost/credit hour             $310

Term Fees*  
Institutional Fee                $194  
Technology Fee                 $107 

*Term fees are assessed only for the terms in which students are enrolled in courses. 

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Payments and Refunds

All payments of tuition and fees are handled by the Bursar’s office. For deadlines and instructions on how to pay, please visit the student payment portal.   

The Georgia Tech Bursar’s Office processes refunds via EFT, also known as Direct Deposit, Monday through Friday. Refunds and overpayments are electronically disbursed to the student’s checking or savings account and should be in the students account on the following day or sooner. You are not always eligible for a refund when dropping a course, so please read over the refund policy.  

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Financial Assistance

Education Loans  
U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible for education loans. To learn more about graduate financial aid and loan programs, visit Georgia Tech’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.  

Employer Tuition Reimbursement  
Contact your employer’s human resources department for available tuition assistance programs and eligibility.  

The Post-9/11 GI Bill  
Effective August 1, 2011, qualified U.S. veterans may be eligible to receive financial support for tuition, mandatory fees, books, and housing. Additional information is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Website.  

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Master's Cybersecurity Curriculum

Using multiple digital platforms and world-class instructors, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your needs and interests by selecting a specialized degree track.

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