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Master of Science in Information Assurance

Offered through the Departments of  Information Systems in the Herberger Business School and
Computer Science and Information Technology In the School of Computing, Engineering and Environment
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/is/

Departmental Chairperson: Susantha Herath
Director of Graduate Program: Susantha Herath
Graduate Faculty: Chen, Ghosh, Guster, S. Herath, Kirmani, Olagunju, Phan, Schmidt, Sohn

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Information Assurance program is a joint development between the Herberger Business School 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. 

To be eligible for consideration for academic admission to the School of Graduate Studies, a candidate must meet the following academic criteria:

1. GRE or GMAT Scores

• Achieve a 152 or higher verbal score on the GRE examination. (For GRE exams taken before August 2011 a verbal score of 480 or higher is needed.) Or Achieve a 144 or higher quantitative score on the GRE examination. (For GRE exams taken before August 2011 a quantitative score of 520 or higher is OR
• Achieve a 470 or higher on the GMAT examination.

2. One of the following:

• Possess at least an overall 2.75 GPA in your previous undergraduate and graduate records.
• Possess a GPA of at least 2.75 in the last half of your undergraduate work.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Program

• The GRE or GMAT is required for individuals with an undergraduate degree.
• The GRE or GMAT is waived for individuals with a post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in a country where English is the sole official language.
• 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 two years of work experience in the information system field is also considered.
• 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.
• Domestic admission application deadlines
• International admission application deadlines
  

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 from US institutions are sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies. International coursework must be submitted to WES or a NACES-affiated agency for a course-by-course evaluation.
3. Statement of intent
4. Three recommendation forms
5. Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
6. Official scores from the TOEFL or ILELTS examination (international students only)

Length of Program – Measured by Semesters

• Part-time student: five to six 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.
• Graduate students must complete the master's degree within seven years.

Master of Science – Information Assurance

Plan A (Thesis)

30 credit minimum of course work

• 15 credits of core courses
• A thesis of 6 credits
• A minimum of 9 credits of elective courses from a selected concentration

Plan B (Starred Paper)

33 credit minimum of course work

• 15 credits of core courses
• A starred paper of 3 credits
• A minimum of 15 credits of elective courses from a selected concentration

Core Courses

Plan A or Plan B, 15 credit minimum

• IA 606 Security and Cryptographic Protocols, 3 cr.
• IA 612 Intrusion Detection and Prevention, 3 cr.
• IA 643 Database Application Security and Auditing, 3 cr.
• IA 673 Security Policy and IT Risk Management, 3 cr.
• IA 681 Digital Forensics and Ethics, 3 cr.

Plan A: IA 699 Thesis, 6 cr.

Plan B: IA 697 Starred Paper, 3 cr.

Elective Courses

Select 9 credits for Plan A, and 15 credits for Plan B with approval of the IA program director.

Information Management Concentration

• IA 644 Internship, 3 cr.
• IA 659 Advanced Topics in Information Assurance, 3 cr.
• IA 680 Seminar in Information Assurance, 3 cr.
• IA 683 Application Layer Security, 3 cr.
• IA 693 Secure Electronic Commerce, 3 cr.
• 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

• IA 644 Internship, 3 cr.
• IA 659 Advanced Topics in Information Assurance, 3 cr.
• IA 680 Seminar in Information Assurance, 3 cr.
• 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 OR CNA 601 Special Topics in Computer Networking, 3 cr.
• CNA 650 Research in Applied Computer Networking, 3 cr.

For information contact:

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