PhD Computer Science (Cybersecurity) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

In the Doctor of Philosophy program in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity, you conduct original research that advances the theory and practice of protecting computing systems and critical infrastructure. This concentration in cybersecurity trains you to pursue fundamental and applied research in securing information systems.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core Areas (9 credit hours) applications (3) foundations (3) systems (3) Concentration (9 credit hours) CSE 543 Information Assurance and Security (3) Students choose two: CSE 539 Applied Cryptography (3) CSE 545 Software Security (3) CSE 548 Advanced Computer Network Security (3) Research (18 credit hours) CSE 792 Research (18) Electives and Additional Research (36 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) CSE 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Courses that are used to satisfy the core area requirement cannot be used to satisfy electives or other requirements.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in academia, government and advanced industry research, where they contribute transformative innovations in cybersecurity. They have a competitive advantage when it comes to securing employment. Career examples: computer science researcher, computer science security professor, data scientist engineer, machine learning, AI or computer vision engineer, machine learning, AI or computer vision scientist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering or a closely related area. Most applicants should have earned a master's degree, but exceptional undergraduate applicants may be admitted directly to the doctoral program. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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