M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance

M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance

As regulations from agencies like the SEC and the FTC increasingly require organizations of all kinds to defend, mitigate, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks, cybersecurity has become a core business function and essential skill for leaders across industries. Taught by experts and practitioners, Boston College’s flexible M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance integrates a technology perspective with business strategy and policy knowledge to help you become an indispensable leader in today’s fast-moving cyber ecosystem.

At a Glance

How many courses?


Ten courses—six core courses and four electives in your specialization.

Flexible Scheduling


Study full- or part-time online, on campus during the evening, or in any combination that works for you.

How much does it cost?

Our Faculty

Start Your Career with a Built-in Network

350%

growth in open cybersecurity positions from 2013–2021.

Cybercrime Magazine

Six figures

starting salary for graduates with a master’s in cybersecurity.

CyberSeek

204K+

Alumni network that is engaged, connected, and interdisplinary 

Where do our students and graduates work?


 

Head of Cyber, Risk & Security, John Hancock Retirement Plan Services 
  

Compliance Officer, State Street
 

Director of BlockChain Research, Fidelity
 

Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.)
 

Cybersecurity Research Scientist, MIT's Sloan School of Management
 

Cyber Sales Manager, Aberdeen Standard Investments 

Vice President Information Technology, State Street


Associate Risk Analyst, Steward Healthcare 


Associate Compliance Analyst, National Grid 


Demand Generation Manager, QRadar Security Intelligence Platform at IBM


Cyber Policy Engineer, Secure and Assured Systems Department, Draper Labs
 

Information Security Analyst, Visa
  

 

Our Faculty

Meet Our Faculty 

We've convened today’s top cybersecurity leaders in government, industry, and academia to shape a safer cybersphere for today and into the future.

Thom Shola Profile

 

Incident Response

Thom Shola

Responsible for Enterprise Risk Management across Northern Bank’s second line of defense supporting End-to-End Risk Consumer and Commercial portfolios.

Phil Aldrich portrait

 

Cybersecurity Strategy

Phillip Aldrich

Phil is a risk management executive specializing in aligning risk management strategy to support business objectives at Fortune 500 companies.

Katherine Fick portrait

 

Cybersecurity and Privacy Law & Policy

Katherine Fick

Katherine​ is IBM's Associate General Counsel​ for Cybersecurity, Privacy & AI, leading the legal team supporting IBM’s Security business unit.

Curriculum


10 Courses

30 Credits

Print all courses on page

These listings are informational only. For a current listing of M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance courses, including closed or canceled courses, please visit the Course Information and Schedule system and use the prefix "ADCY".

Sampling of Courses

 

International Cybersecurity

Cyber Investigations & Digital Forensics

Privacy Law & Data Protection

Managing Cyber Risk: Mobile Devices & Social Networking

Establishing the Business Case & Resource Allocation

Security in the Cloud; Role of Intelligence: Enabling Proactive Security

Applied Research Project

Cybersecurity: Risk Management & Resiliency

Innovation and Technology Development

Students may take up to two (2) of the four (4) online Data Analytics courses offered via the MS in Applied Economics Program at Boston College.

Industry-aligned


ISACA Member

Our students have a local chapter of ISACA, which connects students with opportunities in cybersecurity, information systems and technolog, and business management.

ISACA WEBSITE

 


Approved Provider

Our program is an approved training provider for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS).

NICCS WEBSITE

 

 

Financial Aid

We know that a BC education is a worthwhile but significant investment. We're committed to helping you affordably achieve your educational goals while treating each student and their family equitably. Financial aid and payment plans may be available for students taking a minimum of six credits across a semester.

Apply

Print

 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Prerequisites:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university 
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Please note: International applicants requiring a student visa are currently not eligible to apply for the CPG program.

Deadlines

Regular Decision.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Application

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Application fee $60 (to be paid as part of the online application.) If you believe you qualify for a fee waiver, please contact Kevin Powers.

Please note: International applicants requiring a student visa are currently not eligible to apply for the CPG program.

Start Your Application

 

Résumé

To be uploaded to your online Application Form

In addition to your academic history and relevant work experience, please include any pertinent licenses currently held and any research experience or publications.

Personal Statement

To be uploaded to your online Application Form.

In 500-750 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation.

Letters must be sent directly from the recommender either through the online application portal or directly to Woods College.  We will not accept recommendation letters unless they are emailed directly from the recommender or mailed directly from the recommender in a sealed envelope.

Please note: Letters of recommendations should be provided by Professional or Academic recommenders.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to your online Application Form for purposes of application review. However, official transcript(s) must also be submitted upon acceptance/matriculation. Both undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required.

Boston College Alumni and Current Students:
Your BC transcript must be formally requested from the Office of Student Services and submitted to the Woods College. Woods cannot request or access transcripts independently. 

Transcripts should be mailed to: 

Boston College
Woods College of Advancing Studies Admissions Office
St. Mary's Hall South
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

If your academic institution provides electronic transcripts please indicate wcasadm@bc.edu as the recipient.

Applicants whose Native language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency, for required scores, visit our International Student page.

FAQs

Contact Kevin Powers at kevin.powers@bc.edu with any additional questions. 

What are the defining characteristics of your program?

Our Master of Science in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance will prepare students to bridge the communication gap between IT security professionals and key business stakeholders, and to lead, design, and frame a business case for investment to senior executives, Boards of Directors, and government officials.  Taught by industry leaders and practitioners, students will learn, hands-on, to identify, assess, and manage cyber risk, and to develop and implement a proactive cybersecurity strategy to effectively defend, mitigate, and recover from a cyber attack.  Our program emphasizes skills in leadership, ethics, management, critical thinking, analytic problem solving, and communication to prepare students to meet and respond to the varying issues presented by the rapidly changing cyber ecosystem.

What careers are typically available to graduates of the MS program? 

Students will be prepared for a career as a cybersecurity professional in private industry and government.  Depending on a student's educational background and career experience, possible positions include, but are not limited to:

  • Chief Information Security Officer
  • Cybersecurity Consultant
  • Compliance Officer
  • Cyber & Network Security Director
  • Cybersecurity & Enterprise Services Director 
  • Cyber Policy Analyst
  • Cyber Intelligence Analyst
  • Privacy and Security In-House Counsel
  • Privacy Analyst


What is the current job outlook for students with an MS in Cybersecurity?

"The New York Times reports that a stunning statistic is reverberating in cybersecurity ... there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021" - CYBERCRIME Magazine.

How many courses are required for this program?

10 courses (6 core and 4 electives) are required (30 credits total).

What are the requirements for admission?

  • Online application form
  • Application fee $60 (to be paid as part of the online application)
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a GPA of 3.0 or higher*
  • Official transcripts from the undergraduate institution
  • Personal Statement
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Resumé

**Applicants who do not meet this requirement also may be considered for admission based on their relevant employment history, credentials, and experiences, or with the following condition: the completion of an approved course(s) as a non-degree student within the Cybersecurity Program, as approved by the Program Director, with a grade of B or higher. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Director at kevin.powers@bc.edu

What if my GPA is not 3.0? Am I still eligible to apply for the program?

Yes. We will consider your application and weigh a variety of factors (including industry experience) to determine whether we are able to offer you admission. Applicants who do not meet this requirement also may be considered for admission with the following condition: the completion of an approved course(s) as a non-degree student within the Cybersecurity Program, as approved by the Program Director, with a grade of B or higher. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Director at kevin.powers@bc.edu

Do you offer admission to international applicants?

International applicants requiring a student visa are currently not eligible to apply for the MSCY program.

Must both letters of recommendation be from an academic source?

No, we prefer that one letter of recommendation be from an academic source, and another from an employer or person in a supervisory capacity who can speak about your interests and experience.

How much does the program cost?

Visit our Tuition & Aid page for more information.

Tuition & Aid page

There is also a $25 registration fee for each semester.

Do you offer financial aid?

All students are eligible to apply for financial aid. The Woods College also has additional scholarships for students who qualify based upon both merit and need. You are welcome to inquire further with regard to your specific circumstances and needs.

Do you offer graduate course credit transfer?

Students may be able to transfer up to 6 graduate credits (2 courses). Decisions on whether to accept transfer credits will depend on an assessment as to whether such course(s) to be transferred fit within the MS in Cybersecurity Policy & Governance curriculum. 

Can you tell me about your faculty members?

All of our faculty members have advanced degrees in their specific fields of expertise and are accomplished practitioners in private industry and government. Their specializations range from cybersecurity IT, to corporate governance, risk, and compliance, to forensics and investigations.  As leaders in cybersecurity, our faculty members are shaping industry standards, while working with or for Fortune 500 Companies, Federal, State, and local governments, large national law and consulting firms in the Greater Boston area, and academic departments. Each faculty member is committed to equipping students with the necessary, real-world cybersecurity knowledge and skills to prepare them to meet and respond to the varying cybersecurity issues faced by private industry and government today.

What is the deadline for admission?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer enrollments.

How long does it take to complete the degree?

This is variable and is largely based on how many courses a student takes at any given time. If you take 2 courses per semester, you can complete the degree in 15 months.

Can students work full-time and pursue this degree?

Yes. We have designed the program to be flexible to accommodate a variety of scheduling needs.

When can students enter the program?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer.

Do you offer graduate student housing?

No. Boston College does not currently offer housing for graduate students, but our Office of Residential Life does have a staff member who can help you find off-campus housing.

Does Woods College require an enrollment deposit?

Yes, admitted students who confirm their enrollment must pay a $250 enrollment deposit. The enrollment deposit is not an additional fee and will be applied directly to your student account and will be deducted from your tuition bill.  Anyone hoping to defer their enrollment will have to pay the deposit before their deferment request will be processed.

Professional Development Opportunities

Executive Education

Boston College Continuing Education and  M.S. in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance program offers two online, non-credit certificate programs in Cybersecurity Strategy and Data Privacy: GDPR & HIPAA


For-credit Certificates

Certificates may be applied towards the full MS degree program if admitted. 


Conferences

Hosted by Boston College and the FBI, the Boston Conference on Cyber Security is an annual forum for leaders in cybersecurity to come together and coordinate their efforts toward a more secure cyberspace.

Woods College Events

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