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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Master of Science in Information Assurance

Centennial HallOffered through the Departments of  Information Systems
In the G. R. Herberger College of Business and

Computer Networking Applications
In the College of Science and Engineering

Centennial Hall 443
Phone: 320.308.2174
Fax: 320.308.6074
Email: msia@stcloudstate.edu

Program Web site: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/msia
Department Web site: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/hcob/

Departmental Chairperson: Susantha Herath
Departmental Secretary: Jan Tadych

Director of Graduate Program: Susantha Herath
Graduate Faculty: TBD

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Information Assurance program is a joint development between the College of Business and the College of Science and Engineering through the Departments of Information Systems and Computer Networking Applications.  The program is designed to prepare information assurance and security professionals to work in a wide variety of capacities both in management and technical fields, to support and protect the nation’s information infrastructure, and conduct advanced research.  Competencies will be developed in both management and technical areas such as policies, risk management, software system security, database security and network security. 

Admission Requirements Specific to the Program

An Undergraduate Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Networking, telecommunication, or related programs is preferred. BA/BS degree or higher in any field with 2 years of work experience in the information system field is also considered. GPA of 2.75 or higher and GRE or GMAT are required unless applicant has a master’s degree from a US institution.

Prerequisites: database modeling, network structure/architecture, operating systems theory, statistics, discrete structures and one year of programming,

Applicants with deficiencies in any of the above areas may be required to successfully complete one or more courses before receiving full admission to the program.

To be eligible for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, a candidate must meet at a minimum one of the following criteria:

  • Possess at least an overall 2.75 GPA in your previous undergraduate and/or graduate records.
  • Possess a GPA of at least 2.75 in the last half of your undergraduate work.
  • Achieve a 480 or higher verbal score on the GRE examination.
  • Achieve a 520 or higher quantitative score on the GRE examination.
  • Achieve a 470 or higher on the GMAT examination.

Applicants should submit the following to complete their admission file:

  1. School of Graduate Studies admission application with a non-refundable $35 fee
  2. Official undergraduate transcripts
  3. Statement of purpose
  4. Three recommendation forms
  5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  6. Official scores from the TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB examination (international students only)

Length of Program – Measured by Semesters

  • Part-time student: five semesters taking six credits per semester
  • Full-time student: four semesters taking eight credits per semester

Graduate Assistantship Overview

  • Two graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
  • Graduate assistants in information assurance mainly provide instructional and research assistance to MSIA faculty.

Program Requirements

  • A minimum of eight credits of course work is required for a full-time graduate student.
  • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required.
  • The maximum duration for a graduate student cannot be over seven years.

Master of Science – Information Assurance

Plan A (Thesis)

30 credit minimum of course work

  • 21 credits of core courses
  • A thesis of 6 credits
  • A minimum of 3 credits of elective courses

Plan B (Starred Paper)

33 credit minimum of course work

  • 21 credits of core courses
  • A starred paper of 3 credits
  • A minimum of 9 credits of elective courses from a selected concentration

Core courses

Plan A or Plan B, 21 credit minimum

  • IA 610 Security Protocols, 3 cr.
  • IA 611 Cryptography, 3 cr.
  • IA 612 Intrusion Detection and Prevention, 3 cr.
  • IA 643 Database Application Security and Auditing, 3 cr.
  • IA 671 Security Policy, 3 cr.
  • IA 672 Information Technology Risk Management, 3 cr.
  • IA 681 Digital Forensics and Ethics, 3 cr.
  • IA 699 Thesis, 6 cr.
  • Or IA 697 Starred Paper, 3 cr.

Elective courses

Select 3 credits for Plan A, and 9 credits for Plan B with approval of the IA program director.


Information Management Concentration

  • IS 559 Topic in Information systems, 3 cr.
  • IS 574 Management and Evaluation of Encryption Techniques, 3 cr.
  • IS 583 Client/Server Security, 3 cr.
  • MBA 640 Advanced IT Security Management, 3 cr.
  • MBA 634 Information Technology Management, 3 cr.

Networking Concentration

  • CNA 535 Firewall Security. 3 cr.
  • CNA 540 Applied Public Key Infrastructure, 3 cr.
  • CNA 551 Data Network Design, 3 cr.
  • CNA 573 Operational Software Safeguards, 3 cr.
  • CNA 574 Advanced Network Programming, 3 cr.
  • CNA 585 Contemporary, 3 cr.
  • CNA 601 Special Topics in Computer Networking, 3 cr.
  • CNA 650 Research in Applied Computer Networking, 3 cr.

Note: Either CNA 585 or CNA 601, but not both, may receive credit.

For information contact:

Dr. Susantha Herath
Information Assurance Program
Telephone:320-308-2174
E-mail: msia@stcloudstate.edu