Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Business Analytics

About the MSCBA

Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Business Analytics

MS-CBA Specializations Offered

  • Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
  • Business Analytics

Information Systems (IS) is an interdisciplinary field combining aspects of management, information technology, and computer science. IS professionals contribute to organizations in many ways including:

  • Planning an organization's technology-related strategy and infrastructure
  • Acquiring, developing, and managing computer hardware, networks, software, and related services
  • Developing and managing an organization's databases
  • Analyzing data to improve an organization's marketing, operations, and strategic planning

Information assurance (IA) is an interdisciplinary field combining specialized aspects of computer science, computer engineering, information systems and accounting. IA professionals contribute to organizations in many ways including:

  • Securing networks, systems, and information services against threats
  • Ensuring privacy and confidentiality of an organization's data
  • Investigating fraud including both technical and financial aspects
  • Educating and training users and technical staff about security
  • Managing risks and ensuring compliance with security and privacy-related laws and regulations

Why should you study Cybersecurity and Business Analytics at the master's level?

  • Knowledge and skill requirements for higher-paying upper-level jobs exceed the content of most undergraduate degree programs.
  • Graduates are in short supply - you can choose from many jobs with excellent pay and benefits.
  • Graduates have diverse educational backgrounds including accounting, computer science, engineering, and information technology.
  • IS and IA are rapidly-changing fields - you'll constantly update your skills and you'll never be bored.
  • IS and IA graduates make a difference - you'll manage and protect computer systems, data, networks, people, and the nation.

Demand for IS and IA skills is strong due organizations' dependence on information technology and the need to secure information systems and data. Types of firms and organizations that hire MS-CBA graduates include law enforcement, national labs, financial services, Fortune 500 companies, educational and healthcare organizations, and Federal, state, local, and tribal governments. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related accounting and auditing standards have also created many IA employment opportunities in the audit staffs of public accounting firms and private organizations.

Program Quick Facts

  • 27 Average Age
  • 82% Underrepresented Minorities
  • 36% Women
    (Fall 2022 entering data)
Quick Facts: Computer and Information Systems Managers
2019 Median Pay$ 146,360 per year
$ 70.37 per hour
Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation5 years or more
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2018414,400
Job Outlook, 2018-2811% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2018-2846,800

Quick Facts: Information Security Analysts
2019 Median Pay$ 99,730 per year
$ 47.95 per hour
Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related OccupationLess than 5 years
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2018112,300
Job Outlook, 2018-2832% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2018-2835,500

Quick Facts: Database Administrators
2019 Median Pay$ 93,750 per year
$ 45.07 per hour
Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related OccupationNone
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2018116,900
Job Outlook, 2018-289% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2018-2810,500

Quick Facts: Network and Computer Systems Administrators
2019 Median Pay$ 83,510 per year
$ 40.15 per hour
Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related OccupationNone
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2018383,900
Job Outlook, 2018-285% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2018-2818,200

Quick Facts: Data Analyst
Indeed.com, 2020$70,591
* https://www.indeed.com/career/data-analyst/salaries
Quick Facts: Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
Recruiter.com Pay Range (Arizona - DC)$ 51,490 - $90,410
Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related OccupationDepends
On-the-job TrainingDepends
https://www.recruiter.com/salaries/fraud-examiners-investigators-and-analysts-salary/

US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2012-2022

Cybersecurity Track (33 hours)

Required Core Group (15 hours)

  • MGMT 401* Intro to Project Management
  • MGMT 501 Data Driven Decision Making
  • MGMT 635 Data Analytics
  • MGMT 636 Information Systems Security
  • MGMT 637 Database MGMT Systems

Management Group (6 hours)

  • MGMT 502 Financial Accounting and Analysis
  • MGMT 506 Managing People in Organizations
  • MGMT 508 Business and Society
  • MGMT 520 Operations Management
  • MGMT 522 Managerial Marketing
  • MGMT 526 Financial Decision Making

Technical Group - Cybersecurity Track (minimum 12 hours)

  • MGMT 646 Digital Forensics
  • MGMT 647 Systems and Network Administration
  • MGMT 648 Advanced IS Security
  • MGMT 662 Security Risk Management
Students must take 6 credit hours of Management Group courses. A student who has earned a BBA from an AACSB accredited school or a Bachelor of Economics within the past 5 years may substitute out of the Management Group courses and instead take an additional 6 credit hours of technical courses.

Quick Facts: Information Security Analysts

2019 Median Pay

$99,730 per year

$47.95 per hour

Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related OccupationLess than 5 years
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2018112,300
Job Outlook, 2018-2832% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2018-2835,500

US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2018-2028

Business Analytics Track (33 hours)

Required Core Group (15 hours)

  • MGMT 401* Intro to Project Management
  • MGMT 501 Data Driven Decision Making
  • MGMT 635 Data Analytics
  • MGMT 636 Information Systems Security
  • MGMT 637 Database MGMT Systems

Management Group (6 hours)

  • MGMT 502 Financial Accounting and Analysis
  • MGMT 506 Managing People in Organizations
  • MGMT 508 Business and Society
  • MGMT 520 Operations Management
  • MGMT 522 Managerial Marketing
  • MGMT 526 Financial Decision Making

Technical Group - Business Analytics Track (minimum 12 hours)

  • MGMT 533 Analysis Tools for Managers
  • MGMT 588 Supply Chain Models and Strategy
  • MGMT 645 Data Mining
  • MGMT 660 Text Mining and Sentiment Analysis
Students must take 6 credit hours of Management Group courses. A student who has earned a BBA from an AACSB accredited school or a Bachelor of Economics within the past 5 years may substitute out of the Management Group courses and instead take an additional 6 credit hours of technical courses.

Strengths of an Analyst/Business Intelligence Analyst

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork
  • Curiosity

Analyst/Business Intelligence Analyst Job Resources

Quick Facts: Analytics Manager

DataJobs.com Pay Range*$ 90,000 - $160,000 +
Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree

Data Analytics Project

Admission Information

Admission Requirements

1. Completed bachelor's degree.
2. At least 30 credit hours of undergraduate or graduate courses in management, accounting, information systems, computer science, computer-related engineering, or a combination thereof.
3. Basic programming knowledge is required. Students must demonstrate this on the unofficial transcript. Courses at UNM that meet this requirement include MGMT 330, ECE 131, CS 152.

Application Requirements

For a complete application, please submit all required materials.

Online Application

Complete the online application and pay the application fee. Be prepared to upload your resume, statement of intent, and unofficial transcript(s).

Statement of Intent

Please write an essay explaining your reasons for seeking an advanced degree in business, as well as your personal qualities and experience that will benefit your professional colleagues in the program. Include any noteworthy achievements or additional information you wish to share with the Admission Committee.

Resume

Please submit a current resume detailing your work experience, management experience, and areas of responsibility.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts through Business CAS from all non-UNM institutions attended. International applicants will be required to submit official transcripts in their native language and in English. Review the requirements for Domestic and Foreign transcripts.

Deadlines

Upcoming Terms: Summer 2023: April 15, 2023
Fall 2023: July 15, 2023

Program Details

Start Dates:Summer 2023: June 5, 2023
Length:Flexible - 18 months if attending full-time
Modality:Online
Course Times:Asynchronous
Tuition (2023-2024):$805 per credit hour + student fees
*Rate changes decided by the UNM Board of Regents may be assessed for 2023-2024 academic year. Tuition and fee rates are subject to change.