Dual Degree - Master of Science - Cybersecurity & Master of Science - Management Information Systems

Master of Science - Cybersecurity & Master of Science - Management Information Systems allows students who are interested in technology, and especially in cybersecurity to earn two complementary degrees (MS Management Information Systems and MS Cybersecurity) at the same time in a shortened time frame. Rather than earning each separately, recognizing the overlap between the fields, credits and concepts from the program are shared, and thus students are able to complete the program with less overall credits than completing each separately. This dual degree program is geared towards individuals who want to work with technology and also want a broader view of cybersecurity as technical specialty in their skillset.

Students will be introduced to applied curriculum that instructs them to understand technological innovations and how technology can be used to solve organizational problems and further organizational strategies. On the cybersecurity side, students will compete core foundational areas in cyber analytics, networking, system hardening, management of cyber functions and strategic alignment between cybersecurity, technology and the business. Such students would be well positioned to work in IT, cybersecurity, and more especially start a career pathway towards cyber or technology leadership in an organization.

The Master of Science - Management Information Systems (MS MIS) program prepares graduates for professional careers in the management of information technology (IT). The MS MIS focuses on the application of technology to help achieve organizational goals and solve business problems. MIS students earn competency in IT, embedded in a business context, that provides them with well-rounded preparation for occupations in high demand. Recent graduates are pursuing careers in a variety of roles, such as business analyst, systems analyst, security analyst, IT manager, and systems administrator.

Currently, there is a demand at the local, state, regional, and national levels for individuals to be trained in the knowledge of computers, networks, and risk and security management. This has been identified by the Department of Labor and other sources as one of the most needed professions/skills, yet the traditional sources of such skills (i.e., higher education) is not producing graduates as fast as this field is growing. Students will be trained in technical and managerial aspects of cybersecurity. Further, UNLV is a recognized center of academic excellence (CAE) for cybersecurity. This is a prestigious recognition from the US Federal Government that is only awarded to several universities in the entire country.

This program builds upon the strengths within the Computer Science department in the College of Engineering, which can provide the technical expertise of dealing with data, computers and networks. This program also builds on the strengths of the management information systems group within the Management Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MET) department in the Lee Business School to provide the expertise in managerial aspects of security, compliance, and risk management.

The graduate program in cybersecurity will also enable those already in the field to hone their managerial skills and enter into the management of cybersecurity, or provide those with other related skill sets to move from a related/technical field into cybersecurity. This focus is distinct compared to an undergraduate degree in cybersecurity, which typically focuses on basic skills.