M.S. in Cyber Security and Privacy
In our interconnected world, cybersecurity experts are shaping a safer digital future - securing critical infrastructure, protecting sensitive data, and safeguarding our privacy rights. Be one of them.
Demand in Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity field is experiencing unprecedented growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an exceptional 32% growth rate for cybersecurity jobs from 2022 to 2032—more than ten times the average growth rate for all U.S. occupations. This surge stems from increasing cyber threats, growing organizational awareness, evolving data protection regulations, and rapid digital transformation. The rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence is further intensifying these cybersecurity challenges and expanding the need for skilled professionals in the field.
Program Summary
The M.S. in Cyber Security and Privacy (MS-CSP) provides a strong foundation and advanced technical expertise in security, privacy, and cryptography applied to computer systems, networks, and web applications. Graduates will have broad expertise across these areas, with an option to cover not only technical but also legal, policy, and ethical aspects of security and privacy. Beyond in-depth knowledge of security mechanisms, standards, and state-of-the-art capabilities, they will also be able to design new systems and infrastructure-level security solutions.
The program features an additional Cyber Defense Option that produces leaders with communication and management skills complementing their technical expertise. This option is designed for professionals with existing industry experience.
Studying CSP at NJIT
NJIT's Cybersecurity Research Center is designated by the National Security Agency, as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense recognizing the university's ability to train students in defending high-value computer networks. NJIT offers an exceptional educational environment that combines academic excellence with unparalleled opportunity. As a top-50 public university and R1 research institution situated just 20 minutes from New York City, NJIT provides students with access to both outstanding education and the vast professional network of the metropolitan area. Students join a diverse and vibrant community, with flexible options including online learning or NJIT's state-of-the-art Jersey City location.
Essential Information
Detailed curriculum and requirements for the MS in Cybersecurity and Privacy are available in the MS-CSP catalog.
After completing the program, graduates will be able to:
- Describe cyber security and privacy mechanisms, standards, and state-of-the-art capabilities.
- Describe potential cyber attacks and the actors that might perform them, and identify cyber defense methods to prepare a system to repel attacks.
- Perform security review of applications, systems and infrastructure.
- Design and implement system, network and infrastructure-level solutions to ensure the security and privacy of communications and data against specific security threats, while understanding the trade-offs between security, usability, and performance.
- Use standard security terminology to communicate effectively with other cyber security professionals.
- Understand the ethical and legal implications of cyber attacks.
Campus Options
- The online program is available to both U.S. residents and international students
- The online rates are available only to students fully enrolled to the online program
- U.S. residents can choose a combination of face-to-face and online courses
- The Jersey City program is not available to F-1 international students
- F-1 students can take at most one course per semester online, or at Jersey City
Tuition & Fees by Campus (based on AY 2024-2025 rates)
- Online: $34,290
- Jersey City: $34,504-$37,200
- Newark, NJ residents: $36,426-$46,450
- Newark, non-NJ residents: $44,748-$63,120
For Newark students, the ranges reflect different course loads per semester:
- Highest amount: Based on taking at most 3 courses per semester, no summer courses
- Lowest amount: Based on taking 4 courses in two different semesters
- Additional fee savings are available for summer semester courses
For Jersey City students, the lower amount assumes the student takes two courses in each of two different summer semesters.
For details, see NJIT's Tuition and Fee Schedule.
For information about cost of living see Tuition and Costs at NJIT.
All applicants are automatically considered for financial support during admission, with no need for additional communication. However, guaranteed financial support for MS students is limited and typically reserved for doctoral candidates.
After enrollment, MS students can apply for campus jobs such as grading, tutoring, research assistantships, or roles in the library and academic departments to help offset expenses.
Well-performing students are often hired as graders, earning up to $9K annually. In 2023-2024, the CS department paid over $600K to MS graders.
