Master of Science in Information Assurance: Department of Information Assurance, College of Information, Science & Technology

(1)

www.unomaha.edu/graduate | www.facebook.com/UNOGraduateStudies | 402-554-2341 | gradschool@unomaha.edu Master of Science in Information Assurance: Department of Information Assurance, College of Information, Science & Technology

Vision Statement

To estimate the projected need for Information Assurance professionals in Nebraska, it is important to understand the sheer scope of the businesses present in Nebraska. Nebraska hosts the world headquarters for five Fortune 500 businesses, and employs some 50,000 workers in the financial sector alone. With many large-scale businesses moving into the Omaha area, such as E-bay, PayPal, and Google, the need for solid Information Assurance professionals is only expected to rise. In addition, the United States Strategic Command, located just south of the greater Omaha area, holds the computer network attack and defense missions for the United States military. The US Strategic Command is always in need of Information Assurance professionals, whether working directly for the government in a civilian capacity, or for one of the dozens of major contracting companies, such as Booz-Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, or Lockheed Martin. The need for sustaining and continuously training an Information Assurance workforce is now more crucial than ever due to the continually changing nature of threats to information systems.

It is imperative for Nebraska to create and sustain a long-term investment in Information Assurance to support the investors in our local economy. A Master’s Degree in Information Assurance will provide a credential to assure employers they are receiving exceptional employees with the most advanced knowledge possible. The MSIA will echo the emphasis placed on creativity, independent thought and research that is a hallmark of all Master’s Degree programs at the

University of Nebraska at Omaha. This will ensure our graduates embody the innovative spirit to propel business and economy well into the future. The Peter Kiewit Institute is used as a recruiting tool by Chambers of Commerce around the state. An MSIA program at UNO would build the

Chambers’ persuasive power to convince more businesses to relocate to our state, by demonstrating the availability of a highly-educated Information Technology and Assurance workforce.

Program Contact Information

Dr. William Mahoney, Graduate Program Chair Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) 282F

402-554-3975

wmahoney@unomaha.edu Ms. Carla Frakes, Advisor

Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) 176C 402-554-2073

cfrakes@unomaha.edu Program Website

(2)

Application Deadlines:  Fall: July 1

 Spring: December 1  Summer: April 1 Application Requirements:

 Online Application

 One official copy of transcripts for ALL institutions previously attended  Application Fee

 If English is not the language of nurture, official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam are required

o 500 on the written TOEFL

o 173 on the computer-based TOEFL o 61 on the internet-based TOEFL o 5.5 on the IELTS

o 44 on the PTE

 Minimum GPA of at least 3.0 in undergraduate courses related to proposed major Program-Specific Requirements:

 All applicants must have the equivalent of a 4-year undergraduate degree.

 International applicants who do not have a baccalaureate or equivalent degree from an English-speaking institution of higher education in the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, English-speaking Africa, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand are required to submit TOEFL scores.

o The minimum TOEFL requirement is 550 (written); 213 (computer-based); 79 (internet-based).

 Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores required

o There is no minimum GRE requirement, but the applicant’s score will be one factor used in evaluating the student’s portfolio. The GRE test requirement is waived if: the student is a graduate of the University of Nebraska system with a degree in Computer Science or Management Information Systems and a GPA of 3.5 or more, OR the student has earned an MS or advanced degree in a closely related discipline.

 Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

o References who can evaluate your work and/or academic achievements  Writing Sample

o From work or previous academic experiences. Alternatively, if you do not have a writing sample, please submit a two-page double-spaced word-processed essay that addresses the following two topics:

 Discussion of two accomplishments that demonstrate your potential for success in the graduate program

 Discussion of your unique personal qualities and life experiences that distinguish you from other applicants to this graduate program  Resume

o Include your work experience and background  OPTIONAL: Interview

o Although not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to arrange for an interview with one or more members of the Graduate Program Committee by directly contacting the Committee Chairperson. Telephone interviews are highly recommended for applicants outside the local area.

 Undergraduate coursework must include:

o Programming in C or C++, Networking (CSCI 1840 or 2840 or equivalent, CSCI 3550 or ISQA 3400 or equivalent)

(3)

o Foundation courses ensure all students in the MS IASC program have a solid groundwork upon which to build the rest of the program. These courses not only provide essential prerequisite knowledge and skills for other courses in the program, but they also contain a distinct body of knowledge that is an important part of the IA professional’s education. All foundation courses are required for all students. However, students who have obtained an

undergraduate IA degree will typically already have this foundation. In such a case, most, if not all, foundation courses are usually waived. Students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, including Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or Engineering, will usually require one or more foundation courses. Occasionally, a student’s work experience may be sufficient to waive one or more of the foundation courses.

o Waivers for foundation courses are granted by the chair of the Graduate Program Committee upon the recommendation of the faculty member who is responsible for an individual course. Students requesting a waiver for a particular course should be prepared to meet with a faculty member and answer questions in the area of the course. They should bring to the

meeting any relevant transcripts, course syllabi, course material, or evidence of practical experience. Some foundation courses may have an option for testing out.

o Foundation courses cannot be used to satisfy the 33 semester hours required for the MS in Information Assurance degree. Students who have not completed all the foundation course requirements may be admitted on a provisional status until those requirements have been completed. All foundation courses must be completed prior to or concurrent with the first six (6) hours of MS-IASC graduate coursework.

Master of Science in Information Assurance [MS-IA Degree Requirements]

MS-IA Thesis Option (33 hours): Core Courses (9 hours):

 IASC 8366 Foundations of Information Assurance  IASC 8410 Distributed System and Network Security  ISQA/IASC 8546 Computer Security Management Systems Concentration

Required Courses (12 hours):  IASC 8420 Software Assurance

 CSCI 8610 Fault Tolerant Distributed Systems  IASC 8386 Computer and Network Forensics  IASC 8356 Advanced Vulnerability Discovery Electives (6 hours; choose any two from below):  CSCI/IASC 8440 Secure Systems Engineering

 CSCI 8430 Trusted System Design, Analysis & Development  CSCI 8530 Advanced Operating Systems

 CSCI 8566 Number Theory & Cryptography

 IASC 8080 Special Topics in Information Assurance  IASC 8456 Host-Based Vulnerability Discovery  IASC 8490 Advanced Computer Forensics

(4)

 IASC 8520 Business Continuity & Disaster Planning  IASC 8900 Independent Study

 ISQA/IASC 8530 E-Commerce Security

 ISQA/IASC 8560 Information Warfare & Security Management & Policy Concentration

Required Courses (12 hours):

 ISQA/IASC 8570 Information Security Policy & Ethics  ISQA/IASC 8580 Security Risk Analysis & Management

 IASC 8510 Information Technology Governance & Compliance Electives (6 hours; choose any two from below):

 IASC 8440 Secure Systems Engineering

 CCSI 8566 Number Theory & Cryptography  CSCI 8610 Fault Tolerant Distributed Systems  IASC 8080 Special Topics in Information Assurance  IASC 8356 Advanced Vulnerability Discovery  IASC 8386 Computer and Network Forensics  IASC 8420 Software Assurance

 IASC 8490 Advanced Computer Forensics  IASC 8900 Independent Study

 ISQA 8060 Research Methods

 IASC 8520 Business Continuity & Disaster Planning  ISQA/IASC 8560 Information Warfare and Security

 ISQA 8596/ACCT 8096 IT Audit and Control/Information Systems Auditing MSIA Non-Thesis Option (33 hours):

Core Courses (9 hours):

 IASC 8366 Foundations of Information Assurance  IASC 8410 Distributed System and Network Security  ISQA/IASC 8546 Computer Security Management Systems Concentration

Required Courses (15 hours):  IASC 8420 Software Assurance

 CSCI 8610 Fault Tolerant Distributed Systems  IASC 8386 Computer and Network Forensics  IASC 8356 Advanced Vulnerability Discovery

 CSCI 8566 Number Theory & Cryptography OR CSCI 8530 Advanced Operating Systems

Electives (6 hours; choose any two from below):  IASC 8440 Secure Systems Engineering

 CSCI 8430 Trusted System Design, Analysis and Development

 CSCI 8530 Advanced Operating Systems (unless taken as concentration)  CSCI 8566 Number Theory & Cryptography (unless taken as concentration)  IASC 8080 Special Topics in Information Assurance

 IASC 8456 Host-Based Vulnerability Discovery

 IASC 8510 Information Technology Governance and Compliance  IASC 8520 Business Continuity & Disaster Planning

(5)

 IASC 8900 Independent Study

 ISQA/IASC 8560 Information Warfare & Security  ISQA/IASC 8570 Information Security Policy & Ethics  ISQA/IASC 8580 Security Risk Analysis & Management

 ISQA 8596/ACCT 8096 IT Audit & Control/Information System Auditing Management & Policy Concentration

Required Courses (15 hours):

 ISQA/IASC 8580 Security Risk Analysis & Management  ISQA/IASC 8530 E-Commerce Security

 ISQA/IASC 8560 Information Warfare & Security  ISQA/IASC 8570 Information Security Policy & Ethics  IASC 8520 Business Continuity & Disaster Planning Electives (6 hours; choose any two from below):

 IASC 8440 Secure Systems Engineering

 CSCI 8566 Number Theory & Cryptography  CSCI 8610 Fault Tolerant Distributed Systems  IASC 8080 Special Topics in Information Assurance  IASC 8356 Advanced Vulnerability Discovery  IASC 8386 Computer and Network Forensics  IASC 8420 Software Assurance

 IASC 8490 Advanced Computer Forensics  IASC 8900 Independent Study

 ISQA 8090 Research Methods

 ISQA 8596/ACCT 8096 IT Audit & Control/Information System Auditing MS-IA Exit Requirements:

 Thesis Option:

o IASC 8990 Thesis (6 hours)  Non-Thesis Option:

o IASC 8950 Capstone in Information Assurance (3 hours)

 The Graduate College’s Quality of Work Standards shall be applied to foundation courses as well as courses taken as part of the degree program. In particular. The GPC will recommend to the Graduate College that any

o Student receiving a grade of “C-” or below on any foundation courses will be dismissed from the program or, in the case of unclassified or non-degree students, be automatically denied admission.

o Student receiving a grade of “C+” or “C” in any foundation course will be placed on probation or dismissed from the program.

o Student not maintaining a “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale” average in foundation courses will be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. MS-IA Total: 33 hours