Northern Arizona University

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Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA typically around 3.0. While a background in computer science or information technology is preferred, some programs accept candidates from other fields and may require prerequisite programming courses before enrollment in advanced modules.[6

About This Program

This multidisciplinary program prepares professionals to manage risks and ensure the integrity of computing infrastructure.

Career Outcomes

Lead as Cybersecurity Analyst in Cybersecurity AI with cybersecurity expertise

• 1. Cybersecurity Manager/Director
• 2. Security Risk Analyst
• 3. Incident Response Manager
• 4. Compliance and Governance Specialist

What You'll Learn

• Design, assess, and maintain organizational cyber defenses using industry frameworks like NIST Cybersecurity Framework and Risk Management Framework.[1]
• Conduct cyber risk assessments, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and international cyber laws and regulations.[1]
• Identify and respond to cyber threats including malware, distributed denial-of-service attacks, social engineering, and emerging risks from generative AI technologies.[1]
• Communicate cybersecurity priorities and strategies to non-technical stakeholders and develop organizational incident response and business continuity plans.[1]

Curriculum Highlights

The structure includes core cybersecurity technology courses, specialized electives, and a master's level project.

Top Employers

Top employers in cybersecurity include Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, major financial institutions, government agencies (NSA, FBI, CISA), and Fortune 500 companies across healthcare, finance, and technology sectors.

Admissions

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA typically around 3.0. While a background in computer science or information technology is preferred, some programs accept candidates from other fields and may require prerequisite programming courses before enrollment in advanced modules.[6

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 2–3
• Resume: Required
• Official Transcripts: Required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Master's degree (MS)
• GRE/GMAT: Optional (may be waived for strong academic backgrounds)
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)