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Degree Title

Master of Science

Apply by:

Jul. 15

 

To begin:

Aug 26, 2024

Overview

Cyberattacks are surging in all categories of the digital sphere and are likely to become more frequent and damaging. With ongoing high-profile attacks on network management companies, the critical need for professionals who can counteract, contain and even prevent network breaches has moved to the forefront, highlighting the great need for graduates with an M.S. in Computer Engineering.

The urgency to help stop the breaches has the current federal administration moving to boost critical infrastructure. Collaborative work is being initiated across agencies to ensure new methods are used to prevent attacks. In the private sector, corporations have accepted the reality that it is not if a breach occurs, but when. As such, demand for graduates with the most current knowledge on hacking, malware, etc., and the skills to reverse and prevent network attacks, is steadily rising.

You can become an indispensable industry leader with a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a concentration in Network Security. FIU's fully online program allows you to earn your specialized master's degree in just 10 months. The highly relevant and continually evolving curriculum includes courses in ethical hacking, forensics, network security, and malware analysis. With your master's degree in network security, you'll have the advanced skills you need to protect and defend networks from attacks and take on a leadership role.

Take the next step.

You'll also be prepared to acquire the most in-demand professional certifications, including Network+, Security+, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Our engineering faculty members are leaders in network security, with years of experience as computer engineers working in the public, private, and government sectors. With our renowned faculty providing feedback and guidance every step of the way, your FIU Online experience is one we share with you. Call one of our enrollment coordinators at 1-855-449-3001 to find out why you belong here.

  • Why Apply?

    Concerns about network security are keeping computer engineers in high demand. As cyber attacks have become more sophisticated, network security specialists with advanced training will be among the most sought-after professionals in the field.

    • Current geo-political situation increased the demand for more cybersecurity professionals/experts (software developers, vulnerability testers, network engineers and cybersecurity analysts), who were already in high demand prior to the pandemic.
    • There are nearly 600,000 cybersecurity job openings that are unfilled (source: https://www.cyberseek.org/heatmap.html). More than 90% is in the private sector.
    • In the last 12 months, job openings have increased 29%, more than double the rate of growth between 2018 and 2019
    • State of Florida is in the top 5 states in the country with most cybersecurity job openings (30K) after Texas (67K), California (63K), and Virginia (53K)
    • Department of Homeland security changed its pay scale to compete with industry and is hiring cyber professionals with pays up to $255K, equivalent to the salary of VP Kamala Harris. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Information Security Analyst is $102K as of May 2021.

     

    Graduates of this fully online program will be able to pursue supervisory positions in information infrastructure assurance and security, which include such titles as security administrator, information security manager, network security engineer, data security analyst or systems application security analyst. Career opportunities are far-reaching and include technology and Internet companies, security software companies, defense contractors, government department and intelligence agencies, the e-commerce sector, and banks and credit card companies.

    The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Florida International University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

    National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security logo

  • Careers

    Career Path

    Information Security Manager, Network Security Administrator, Network Security Engineer, Data Security Analyst, Systems Application Security Analyst, Lead Software Security Engineer, Chief Information Security Officer, Global Information Security Director, IT Security Consultant, Ethical Hacker.

    Non-traditional Career Paths

    Artificial Intelligence Specialist

    3D Animator

    Game Designer

    Website Developer

    Income Range

    $53,000 - $135,000+

    Industry Outlook

    FL: 15% ⬆️

    US: 13%⬆️

    (Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics and onetonline.org)

  • Courses

    Program Curriculum

    The MS program consists of six eight-week terms. Students enroll in 4 courses (12 credits) each semester, which is the equivalence of two courses each term. A total of 30 credit hours, including two components: the Computer Engineering Core (24 semester hours) and Math Electives (6 semester hours). Up to 6 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred into the master’s program.


    Core Courses

    Fall Semester   

    Term - Dynamic A

    Advanced IoT Communications and Networking TCN 5271 - This course presents advanced paradigms in terms of communication of IoT devices and the underlying networking protocols. Topics covered include IoT platforms, applications and protocol stack.

    Advanced Malware Reverse Engineering  EEL 6805 - Expose the student to various techniques and procedures employed in the practice of software analysis to detect and remove affected code. The areas explored will consist of trends in malicious code growth, common attack vectors, surface analysis of malware, run-time analysis of malware, system monitoring, debuggers, static reverse engineering of malware, and disassemblers to identify obfuscation techniques and Anti-reversing methods.


    Term - Dynamic B

    Random Signal Principles EEE 5543 - Noise, random processes, correlation, spectral analysis in the analysis and design of communication systems. Optimization techniques, and minimum mean square error.

    Social, Economic, and Policy Aspects of Cybersecurity CIS  5208 - Cybersecurity is not just a technical problem as it occurs in the context of humans and human society. The course explores the implications of the cybersecurity in a much broader sense, including social, economic and legal aspects: for example, transformation of traditional expectations of privacy due to social networking and digital surveillance. In addition, the focus is how human factors affect cybersecurity in terms of usability of the technology, user psychology and social engineering threats.


    Spring Semester

    Term - Dynamic A

    Computer Communication Networks  EEL 5718 - System engineering synthesis, analysis and evaluation of computer-communication networks. Network design, routing and flow control, telecommunication traffic engineering, transmission, switching, etc.

    Advanced Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures  EEL 5807 - The latest hacking tools and techniques to understand the anatomy of computer attacks and countermeasures to protect valuable data. Understanding different attack vectors using hand-on techniques and tools that a hacker utilizes to attack computing devices in order to steal valuable and private information.


    Term - Dynamic B

    Network Security  EEL 6787  - Network security requirements, Number Theory, steganography, encryption design principles and algorithms, message authentication and digital signature principles and designs, and network system security design. 

    Practical Applied Security CNT 5415 - Hands-on training in practical installation and maintenance of secure systems, including such topics as security configuration, DMZs, firewalls, anti-virus software, and hardware security modules.


    Summer Semester

    Term - Dynamic A

    Advanced Digital Forensics  EEL 6803 - This course provides students with the advanced skills to track and counter a wide range of sophisticated threats including espionage, hacktivism, financial crime syndication, and APT groups. To understand advanced digital forensics engineering techniques, how to provide response to incidents occurring in enterprises and perform timeline analysis, memory forensics and intrusion forensics.

    Advanced Systems Theory EEL  5171 - State-space representations for continuous and discrete-time systems, controllability and observability, pole-zero allocation, Lyapunov stability theorem, state observers.

  • Requirements

    Admissions Requirements

    Applicants for admission into the Master of Science in Computer Engineering online program must meet the minimum University Graduate School admission criteria:

    • Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a bachelor’s degree in a related STEM field from an accredited institution.

    • International applicants must have studied at a US comparable institution or must have obtained the equivalency to a US degree or a bachelor’s degree in a related and a minimum of one year work experience in the broad areas of computer engineering and/or technology.

    • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours in upper-level undergraduate work.

    • The College of Engineering and Computing requires all applicants to have completed MAC 1147-PreCalculus Algebra and Trigonometry AND MAC 1105 College Algebra or equivalent with a "C" or higher to be considered for this program.

    International Students

    • Proof of English Language Proficiency. If you earned a bachelor's degree in a country whose official language is not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency by earning a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL required minimum score: 550 (paper-based exam) or 80 (internet-based). IELTS required minimum score: 6.5. When requesting official scores, please refer to FIU Institution code 5206. TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years. View list of TOEFL/IELTS-exempt countries.

      • Graduate programs can use the Duolingo English Test.

      • Please visit Duolingo English Test for more information about how to register for the exam.

      • FIU Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 110

    • Official Transcripts Translation. If official transcripts are not in English, a second copy of the transcript must be requested for translation. Both the official translation, as well as the original transcripts, must be submitted to FIU.

    • Certified Copy of Diploma. If you obtained your degree at a foreign institution.

    • As a fully online degree, this program is ineligible to grant/provide F-1 Student visas.

    Admissions Documents

    The following must be submitted:

    • Online master's programs application. Be sure to select Master of Science in Computer Engineering: Network Security.

    • A resume including education, training, and employment history, practical and research experience (such as projects and publications), skills and other pertinent information.

    • A statement of objective in which the applicant must clearly state his/her intended engineering track, in addition to other information.

    • Three letters of recommendation must be sent. Letters are to be from those who have knowledge of the applicant's prior professional experience (e.g. a supervisor) or of the applicant's ability to perform graduate work (e.g., a professor) and should attest to the applicant's intellectual ability, motivation, maturity, and potential.

    Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Official transcripts/translations must be submitted directly by the respective institution(s) in electronic format or mailed in a sealed institution envelope to: 

    FIU Online
    Florida International University
    11200 SW 8th Street, MANGO 540
    Miami, FL 33199

    Graduation Requirements

    Students must have a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or greater. No grade below “C” will be accepted in a graduate program. In order to graduate in a given term, a student must submit an application for graduation to the Office of the Registrar by the appointed deadline. A graduate student must be enrolled the term in which he/she graduates. A student denied graduation must complete the requirements for graduation and reapply for graduation.

  • Tuition

    Pursuing your degree is one of the best investments you can make — one that will open doors to personal and professional opportunities. Our tuition costs represent some of the best value in higher education, and we also offer financial aid support to reach your goals.

    The cost of tuition for the academic year is $25,000. Students pay for courses at the beginning of each semester. All fees are subject to change.

     

    Scholarship opportunities available

     

    Academic Works

    FIU offers Academic Works, a website that matches students with relevant scholarship opportunities.  Find the one that’s right for you!  Academic Works is an online scholarship application tool where FIU students can browse and apply for more than 100 scholarships, made possible by the generosity of FIU alumni and friends.  Students can apply after they are matriculated into one of our programs.  For more information visit https://give.fiu.edu/business-governance/scholarships/.


    Other Resources

    There are other third party resources that prospective students can access while researching on how to pay for school.  Below are various links that provide more information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities:


    Federal Financial Aid

    For information on Federal Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), please visit our financial aid page.

     

    Under the revised Florida Board of Governors' (BOG) Regulation 8.002, all institutions of the State University System (SUS) of Florida are required to provide students with a side-by-side Tuition and Fees comparison for continuing education programs. The tuition comparisons are made between a traditional program vs. its counterpart Market Rate/Self-Supporting program. This approach provides students an opportunity to become aware of options that are available upon selecting a degree program of study.

    Please click on the following link which will take you to a searchable database that provides the side-by-side tuition and fees comparisons for the Master of Science in Computer Engineering: Network Security Track: https://continue.fiu.edu/programs/side-by-side-tuition-comparison/embed.html

  • Top Faculty

    Dr. Stavros Georgakopoulos
    Assistant Professor Dr. Georgakopoulos joined FIU in 2007. His current research interests relate to wireless powering of portable, wearable, and implantable electromagnetic devices, applied and computational electromagnetics, RFID systems, antenna arrays, as well as novel reconfigurable, tunable, broadband, and miniaturized antennas. Prior to joining FIU, Dr. Georgakopoulos held a principal engineer position at the Research and Development Department of SV Microwave, which is part of Amphenol Corporation, one of the world's largest manufacturers of telecommunications products. 

    Dr. Gustavo Chaparro-Baquero
    Dr. Chaparro-Baquero joined FIU as faculty member in 2018. He counts with over 20 years of experience teaching courses related to electrical and computer engineering for different engineering schools. He also has multiple publications related to real-time systems, embedded systems, computer architecture, and computer security topics. Dr. Chaparro-Baquero holds a Ph.D in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Florida International University. Additionally, he is member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

    Dr. Alexander Perez-Pons
    Dr. Perez-Pons joined FIU in 2013. He has published numerous journal articles on real-time system, security, biometrics, and semantic link associations. As a consultant, he has worked in the private, public, and government sectors and advised in areas such as Business Intelligence, Mobile Technologies and Network Security. Dr. Perez-Pons holds a Ph.D in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Miami and is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). 

    Dr. A. Selcuk Uluagac
    Dr. Uluagac comes to FIU from Georgia Tech where he currently serves as the Senior Research Engineer in both the Communications Assurance and Performance Group as well as the Communications Systems Center in the school of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He plans to further his work by building, designing, and analyzing novel computing systems and collaborating on interdisciplinary projects with colleagues and faculty. As a graduate teaching assistant at Georgia Tech, he received the 2007 Outstanding ECE Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. He has also independently developed and taught courses in areas of network security, telecommunications, and wireless networks.

    Dr. Kemal Akkaya
    Dr. Akkaya brings 15 years of teaching experience to FIU, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. While at Southern Illinois University he taught a variety of security related courses. Since his hire in 2005 at SIU, Dr. Akkaya has developed a significant research program in the area of wireless networks and security which includes founding the Advanced Wireless and Sensor Networking (ADWISE) Research Lab. Recently funded by the National Science Foundation for 300K over the next three years, Dr. Akkaya will be bringing with him a project titled   “Privacy-preserving Data Collection and Access for IEEE 802.11a-based Smart Grid Applications.”

  • View Our Information Session

    Learn more about the details of our program by listening in to our information session.

fiuonline.fiu.edu

30 Credits Required

fiuonline.fiu.edu

$25,000.00 Tuition Cost

* Total tuition and fees are subject to change.

Highlights

  • 10-month fully online program

  • Computer engineers with advanced training in high demand

  • This program grants you access to Career Engage and associated scholarships

  • Top 10 percent of information security analysts earn more than $135,600

  • Top 25 Best Value Online Engineering Master’s, ValueColleges.com, 2020

  • #6 Best Computer Engineering Colleges in Florida, Universities.com, 2020

  • #8 Best Colleges for Computer Engineering in Florida, CollegeFactual.com, 2020

  • # 14 in the nation for Best Online Master's in Computer Engineering Programs, BestColleges.com, 2019

  • #10 in the nation for Best Value Online Master's in Computer Engineering, BestValueSchools.com, 2019

  • #5 in the nation for Best Online Master’s in Computer Engineering Degrees, CollegeChoice.net, 2018

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