Brown University’s two year, online master of science in cybersecurity is rooted in an interdisciplinary approach that provides students with sophisticated technical skills and a comprehensive understanding of technology, policy and business.
Brown is a longtime cybersecurity innovator, and the program’s curriculum is rooted in an interdisciplinary approach that provides students with sophisticated technical skills and a comprehensive understanding of technology, policy, and business.
Our program offers two tracks: the Computer Science Track and the Policy Track, offered in collaboration with the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. Graduate students will benefit from online courses taught by world-class faculty and industry experts that will prepare them with real-world solutions for a career that's in demand. When our students examine cybersecurity events such as the SolarWinds incident, they explore politics and history alongside the technical elements of cyber threats.
Through your coursework, you'll:
- Gain intellectual and scientific frameworks for approaching novel cybersecurity challenges
- Assess security and privacy implications of emerging technologies to identify vulnerabilities and create solutions
- Develop methods for understanding and describing threat intelligence through class exercises
- Examine the technological, economic, human, legal, organizational, socio-political, business, and policy challenges in this burgeoning academic discipline
Additional Information
Time Commitments, Planning and What to Expect
As an online graduate student, you will attend many of the same classes as other Brown students, but remotely. This means that while some class sessions will be held live and in person for on-campus students, you'll have the ability to attend class by joining live sessions or viewing recorded sessions and engaging online with all other class activities. The classroom experience and opportunities to join online class sessions synchronously will vary by course. Attendance at a set class time will not be mandatory and you won't be penalized for missing live sessions. Many courses will allow online attendance to live sessions, and you will have the ability to join them if your schedule allows.
You can complete the entire program asynchronously — you'll view lectures when your schedule permits during each week of classes. The program is not self-paced, so you'll need to stay on schedule with the same assignment deadlines and readings as your in-person classmates.
Prospective students with additional questions about the program should contact John Tracey-Ursprung (john_tracey-ursprung@brown.edu).
Application Information
Application Requirements
GRE Subject:
Not required
GRE General:
Not required
TOEFL/IELTS:
If your native language is not English, the TOEFL or IELTS is required. A minimum score of 105 on the TOEFL or an overall band score of 8.0 on the IELTS is a prerequisite for admission to the program.
The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and the IELTS Indicator exam are accepted. Students from mainland China may submit the TOEFL ITP Plus exam.
Official Transcripts:
Please submit transcripts for all programs, both undergraduate and graduate, for which you were awarded a degree. Please note that unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to the online application, but official transcripts will be required before enrolling if you are admitted to the program.
Applicants who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program should plan to submit their fall semester grades as a part of their application for fullest consideration. If the application deadline passes before fall grades are available, please provide a copy of your in progress coursework if it is not included on your transcript and plan to follow up with grades when they are made available. We also encourage you to provide your in progress coursework for the spring semester, if available.
Letters of Recommendations:
Three (3) recommendations required.
For applicants that graduated more than 5 years ago, at least one academic reference is highly recommended.
Recent graduates (within 3 years) and current students should provide at least 2 letters of recommendation from professors.
All other applicants: One recommendation from a professional reference is required and two recommendations from either an academic or a professional reference.
Personal Statement:
Please write and upload a personal statement on why you are pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity. The statement should specify which track you are applying to, why you selected that track, and your professional goals for pursuing this degree. If relevant, include content that describes your previous professional work in cybersecurity and academic research. Your statement must be double spaced and in Times New Roman font. The statement should not exceed 800 words.
Resume/CV:
Required
Additional Requirements:
Computer Science Track
To apply to the Computer Science Track, you must have successfully completed:
- An undergraduate degree in a STEM or social sciences discipline
- Undergraduate-level coursework in (1) mathematics that covers calculus, discrete mathematics, and probability or statistics, and (2) introductory computer science that covers computer programming and data structures and algorithms
Policy Track
To apply to the Policy Track, you must have successfully completed:
- An undergraduate degree in any subject
- Undergraduate-level coursework demonstrating writing and analytical skills relevant to the study of cybersecurity policy
- A personal statement summarizing any relevant academic, professional or volunteer experience in policy and cybersecurity
Restrictions and Licensing Requirements
To comply with OFAC restrictions and licensing requirements, Brown University currently does not offer online programs to individuals physically located in the following areas: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Please note that this limitation is location based, as well as applies to all citizens of these countries, regardless of location, who are ordinarily resident in these countries. View more information pertaining to embargoed country regulations for online courses.
If you have any questions regarding the application process for this program, please email masters_admissions@brown.edu.
For more information about Fall and Spring admissions deadlines, please visit our Cybersecurity admissions webpage
Dates/Deadlines
Priority Deadline
Application Deadline
5th Year Deadline
Tuition and Funding
Graduate Tuition & Fees: Please visit the Bursar's Office for up-to-date tuition rates.
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program offers two types of scholarships: one covers 50% of the cost of tuition; the other covers 25% of the cost of tuition. Scholarship funds only apply to courses that are required for graduation from the program.
You're automatically considered for scholarships; there is no separate scholarship application. If you're not awarded one, there's unfortunately no opportunity for reconsideration. Our scholarships are limited at this time, and you should explore a variety of funding options.
Note that if you are interested in our limited scholarships, we encourage you to apply at the earliest date possible. The advantage of applying by our Priority Deadlines is that you will be among the first considered for scholarships. Find out more about graduate financial aid.
Completion Requirements
In addition to meeting the course requirements listed on the Curriculum and Tracks page, regardless of which track you're in you must:
- Complete all courses with a grade of A or B
- Enroll in courses at the 1000 level or higher only
- Complete at least two 2000-level courses
- Ensure that all courses are approved by your academic advisor and the director of graduate studies
Leadership
Contact and Location
Computer Science Department
Mailing Address
Box 1910