MS Information Security and Cyber Leadership at University of South Carolina

Programme overview

The demand for information security specialists and cyber leaders is at an all-time high. This degree provides the technical, social and people skills needed to succeed in this rapidly expanding field. Cyber threats and data breaches are bringing new challenges every day.

Faculty: College of Information and Communications | Department: Information and Communication Studies | Duration: 12 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbia, SC, United States

What you will study

Combine sophisticated communication, information, people and technology skills to meet the demands of both the public and private sectors. Analyze human information behavior and information security phenomena in cyber environments. Explain the structure of a cybersecurity system, implement the system, handle the system operations, and evaluate the system efficiency.

Career pathways

Potential careers include Information Security Analyst, Cybersecurity Specialist, Information Specialist, Data Archivist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admissions (University of South Carolina Academic Bulletin): To apply, you'll need: Official academic transcripts Personal Statement which explains why you are applying CV/Resume 2 Letters of Recommendation The GRE is not required. If you have current scores and would like to submit them with the application, we will review them with the other application materials. If you choose to submit a test score, you’ll need your official score from the GRE (the USC institution code is 5818). Exceptions may be made for those with extenuating circumstances, or who are promising in other ways. Students who are admitted usually have: At least a 3.0 grade point average If you're an international student, you will need to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 90 or score a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Those with a degree from an English-speaking institution are eligible for an...

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer terms; Fall applications open the prior September, Spring applications open in January and Summer applications open in May.

The graduate application fee is $50 per primary application, reinstated effective August 1, 2026. Deadlines are programme-specific. The Moore School of Business, the Arnold School of Public Health and the College of Nursing use their own applications; the Moore School charges an additional $50 application fee for graduate programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://www.sc.edu/admissions-at-sc/applications/index.php

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