Master of Science in Information Systems Technology with a Concentration in Security and Analytics (M.S.)

The Master of Science in Information Systems Technology with a concentration in Security and Analytics is a program to prepare future leaders in the areas of information security and data analytics through critical examination of both academic and practical applications of various segments of the information security and analytics industry. The faculty seeks to challenge, engage, and cultivate students in becoming skilled and knowledgeable information security and data analytics professionals.

Student Learning Outcomes

After graduating from the program, the student shall be able to:

1. Engage with the IST (Information Systems Technology) professional or academic communities through superior communication and leadership skills to contribute to the knowledge bases of the fields such as Information Security/Data Analytics.
2. Apply analytical, critical thinking, and technical skills to a domain of work in the IST field such as Information Security   and Data Analytics.
3. Explore and extend creative use of emerging Information System Technologies in a secure manner.
4. Analyze, evaluate, design, and implement information services to enhance the value of information in a variety of professional and academic settings.
5. Derive and effectively communicate actionable insights from a vast quantity and a variety of data.
6. Critically evaluate and manage information security policies, principles, processes, services and technologies to manage risks and security threats when applied to different IST settings.
7. Critically evaluate current state IST infrastructure and architect, design, and implement solutions to ensure a secure IST infrastructure.

Admission to Study/Graduate Applications

Applications for graduate study should be directed to the Office of Graduate Studies at Coastal Carolina University.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of a graduate degree application and payment of the application fee.
2. Submission of an official undergraduate transcript from each post-secondary school or college previously attended, including any graduate study previously undertaken.
3. Evidence of having received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in this country or its equivalent at a foreign institution based on a four-year degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
4. Competitive official GRE scores. GRE requirement may be waived if the student has completed a graduate degree or completed graduate coursework or earned a related professional certification, or have taken the GMAT.
5. International students whose native language is not English must provide official results from tests taken within the last three (3) years or one of the following acceptable means of documenting English language proficiency consistent with success in graduate programs. (Note: higher scores may be required of some graduate programs so applicants are urged to consult their desired program to identify whether a higher score is required):

1. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based (PBT) or 79 on the internet (iBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL);
2. A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam;
3. Certificate of Completion of level 112 of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) from an ELS Language Center;
4. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic with a score of 59;
5. Cambridge (Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) with a minimum level of C1;
6. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a minimum level of C1;
7. Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a score of 77;
8. Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) with a score of 745;
9. Bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education within the last three (3) years.

6. Submission of at least two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the academic ability, level of responsibility, and work ethic of the applicant. 
7. Submission of a resume.
8. Submission of a written statement of educational and career goals, how this degree will fulfill those goals and the subject area of research or career interest while completing this degree.
9. Prerequisites required for admission are undergraduate credits in:

1. Computer Networks or Information Security (3 credit hours)
2. Programming or Web Development (3 credit hours)
3. Database Design or SQL Development (3 credit hours)
4. Statistics (3 credit hours)

Undergraduate course credit requirements may be waived depending on the relevant industry experience or completion of the professional certification by the applicant.

Admission decisions are made when all evidence of the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate studies has been submitted.

Provisional Admission

Applicants may receive provisional admission to the MISTSA program if they do not meet the stated admission requirements and are entering the University for the first time or are returning to the University after an extended absence. Students who are admitted provisionally are limited to 12 credit hours of coursework toward the degree program.

Removal of Provisional Status

To remove provisional status, within the first two academic semesters (either Fall, Spring or Spring, Fall), the student must:

1. Earn a “B” or better in two core courses;
2. Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all graduate courses taken;
3. Earn a “B” or better in all undergraduate prerequisites required as specified in the provisional acceptance letter.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Information Systems Technology with a Concentration in Security and Analytics requires:

1. Successful completion of an approved program of study with a minimum of 33 graduate credit hours.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) on all coursework.
3. A maximum of two (2) classes may be completed below the grade of “B” before dismissal from the program.
4. If a student has chosen the thesis option, completion, presentation, and successful defense of a thesis or completion of a project(s) followed by an oral presentation and written report summarizing the project experience.
5. All work applied toward the degree must be earned in the six (6) years immediately preceding the completion of the graduate program.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Information Systems Technology with a Concentration in Security and Analytics program requires 33 graduate credit hours. As this degree seeks to provide a broad range of skills and experiences that are required for the students to be experts in the increasingly complex domains, information security and data analytics, the curriculum is divided into core coursework, elective coursework and a capstone experience. These core, elective, and capstone courses would ensure that the students apply state of the art concepts, policies, methods tools, and techniques for the problems, projects and case studies that closely resemble the real world and industry issues. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and may not have more than two grades of “C” in the program.