Master’s in Cybersecurity

Note: GRE is not required for admission.

All admissions materials are submitted through the online application system.

Students should have some technical background from either academic or professional experience. The co-directors may recommend that you take courses to prepare for this program.

Please prepare a statement which covers the following information, and attach it within the online application system:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV): Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) summarizing your work experience, academic background, certificates and publications.
• Letters of recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation. Please send all email requests for the recommendations from within the online application system.
• Personal statement
• Summarize your academic or professional experiences in information technology or cybersecurity and indicate how these experiences make you an ideal candidate for the program.
• Address how you see this degree aligning with your academic or professional goals; include your thoughts on how it may aid you in potential professional positions or future educational pursuits.
• You are encouraged to note any exceptional accomplishments or projects, as well as any professional certifications in this statement. Address how you see this degree aligning with your academic or professional goals; include your thoughts on how it may aid you in potential professional positions or future educational pursuits.
• This statement should be double-spaced, 500 to 1,000 words, and demonstrate your communication skills and writing competence.
• Transcripts: An official transcript from the institution from which you received your bachelor's degree is required as well as a transcript from the institution(s) where any additional graduate-level courses or degrees have been taken or completed.

For international admission, you will need to review the additional requirements.

In addition to requirements for the cybersecurity program, international students interested in attending WMU should review the admissions requirements, timelines and procedures from the Office of International Scholar and Student Services. You will be required to submit additional documentation for immigration purposes. 

Our STEM curriculum also qualifies international students for up to 24 additional months of optional practical training (OPT).  WMU's immigration compliance office offers in-person and online workshops on OPT and curricular practical training.

English language requirements

Graduate students whose native language in not English and who do not have a degree from a U.S. institution must take the Academic Communication Placement Test at the beginning of their first semester of enrollment. This test is administered by the Haworth College of Business Communication Center. It must be taken in addition to the TOEFL, which is part of the admissions process. A student who does not pass this examination is assigned to BCM 6050: Mastering Academic and Business Communication Skills. This course must be completed during the first semester of study.

Graduate students whose native language is not English but have an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution will not be required to take a placement test or the Mastering Academic and Business Communication Skills course.

Note: You must apply to the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program before formally requesting prior graduate credit from another graduate program be reviewed by the cybersecurity program.

1. Request Submission: Once you are admitted to the program, you should send an email with the subject line “Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation” to @email requesting a review. The following course materials should be included for the transfer credit review:
   • Course syllabus with a detailed course description
   • Graded assignments with feedback from professors 
   • An unofficial transcript with grades received for each course 
2. Evaluation process: Per WMU’s Graduate College catalog, the cybersecurity program may accept up to six (6) credit hours of transfer graduate credit from another institution. Transfer credit is not guaranteed.
3. Program review: The co-directors of the cybersecurity program will evaluate courses for transfer credit once all required submission materials have been emailed and the student has completed the Master of Science in Cybersecurity application. 
4. Decisions: The co-directors will meet to discuss the applicant’s materials and determine which—if any—transfer credit counts toward any courses within the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Graduate Program. 
5. Notification: You will be notified by email from the program manager about the results of the transfer credit evaluation. If transfer credit is approved, the student must send an official transcript to the Registrar's Office. 
6. Advising and planning: Once the student has received their approved transfer credit results, the student should schedule an advising appointment with the Program Manager, Cybersecurity to discuss how transfer credits fit into their academic plan and duration through the graduate program. 
    

Students should have some technical background from either academic or professional experience. The co-directors may recommend that you take courses to prepare for this program.

Courses for the cybersecurity master's program are offered virtually or in person, and you can pick the format that works best for you. Choose fully online without scheduled class meetings (asynchronous) or a flexible option to attend either virtually or in person at a set time each week (synchronous). The program starts in a fall semester and requires a completion of 30 credit hours, which generally takes one year.