Online Master of Science Computer Engineering: Network Security

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

• Official Transcripts Translation. If official transcripts are not in English, a second copy of the transcript must be requested for translation by an official translation agency. 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, please note that 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.

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:

• FinAid
• FastWeb
• BigFuture

Federal Financial Aid

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

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