City University of Seattle Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity

City University of Seattle's online M.S. in Cybersecurity runs 39 to 59 credits at $775 per credit, with a Cyber Defense depth of study, a required capstone and an optional internship. It suits working adults who want a defense-focused degree from a school that says the NSA and DHS have designated it, and who can live with a credit count that depends on their background.

City University of Seattle is a private nonprofit school in Seattle, Washington that serves working adults through online and campus programs. About 2,007 students are enrolled, which makes it a much smaller school than the national online universities. Federal data shows 56% of its graduate students study exclusively online.

The school says it is a designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The master's program also aligns with the ACM Body of Knowledge used for that designation. That is a statement about the school's cybersecurity education, so check what it covers before you lean on it.

Tuition is $775 per credit. The credit count varies, so there is no single total. Multiply the rate by the credits you'll actually need once the school has reviewed your background, and ask for fees in writing.

The preparatory courses are the cost variable. The 6-credit and 20-credit prep options are the difference between a shorter and a much longer path, and they use the same $775 rate unless the school says otherwise. If you have a technical background, ask whether you can skip them.

Military tuition discounts for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses are available, and CityU is a Yellow Ribbon school.

Who It Fits

• You want to defend systems. The depth of study is Cyber Defense, and the courses cover systems security, cryptography, cloud security and auditing.
• You want practical experience on the record. A 3-credit internship, CY 685, can replace the elective if the Program Manager pre-approves it.
• You're active-duty military or a military spouse. CityU offers tuition discounts for both and is a Yellow Ribbon school.
• You'd like a smaller school. With about 2,007 students, you're less likely to feel like a number.

Who Should Skip It

• You need a precise cost and timeline before you start. The program is 39 to 59 credits, and the range depends on whether you need preparatory courses.
• You want several specializations. The data lists one depth of study, Cyber Defense.
• You want a school with a large online alumni network. CityU is small, and the online share of graduate enrollment is 56%, so some students are on campus.

Every student completes the CY 665 Cybersecurity Capstone, worth 3 credits, before graduating. The depth of study is Cyber Defense. Courses listed for the program include Cybersecurity Overview, Systems Security, Cryptography, Cloud Security Integration, Software Reverse Engineering and Cybersecurity Auditing.

That mix leans toward the defender's side of the job: securing systems, understanding how code is taken apart, and checking that controls work. The optional internship, CY 685, can stand in for the elective. If you already work in IT, it's a chance to turn your current job into course credit, as long as the Program Manager pre-approves it.

Some students need preparatory courses of 6 or 20 credits if they lack related experience, which is why the credit total ranges from 39 to 59.

Courses the School Names

• Cybersecurity Overview
• Systems Security
• Cryptography
• Cloud Security Integration
• Software Reverse Engineering
• Cybersecurity Auditing

Standout Features

• Designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and the Department of Homeland Security (school-level designation stated on the page)
• Optional internship in place of the elective
• Program aligns with the ACM Body of Knowledge for NSA/DHS CAE in Cyber Defense

The program format is online. Ask about meeting times, term length and how often courses start, so you know whether sessions run live or on your own schedule.

CityU's focus on working adults is the useful detail. The school serves adult students through both online and campus programs, and about 56% of graduate students study exclusively online, so the online side is well established. Federal data shows a 50% 8-year completion rate for transfer-in students.

The school says it holds the NSA and DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education designation, and the program aligns with the ACM Body of Knowledge for that designation. Ask whether a separate programmatic accreditor applies, and which industry certifications the coursework supports.

If certifications matter to you, plan on studying for them separately. The curriculum covers topics that overlap with common exams, so ask which ones the school maps to.

Where this degree can lead: Cybersecurity Degree Jobs.

The full rubric is on the methodology page.

• The credit count ranges from 39 to 59, so total cost is uncertain until the school evaluates your background.
• Only one depth of study, Cyber Defense, appears in the program information.
• Ask whether classes are live or self-paced before you enroll, since that affects your work schedule.
• The internship is optional and needs pre-approval, so it isn't guaranteed.

• Which preparatory courses, if any, would I need, and can my work experience waive them?
• How many credits will my path total, and what will tuition and fees come to at $775 per credit?
• Do classes meet at set times, or can I complete them on my own schedule?
• What kinds of internships has the Program Manager approved for CY 685?
• What does the capstone involve, and can I base it on a problem from my job?
• How do the NSA and DHS designation and the ACM alignment show up in the actual courses?
• How much would my military discount reduce the per-credit rate?

Private nonprofit university in Seattle, Washington that serves working adults with online and campus programs.

• Best for Military Students Rank 9 of 10, master's
• Best Programs With Internships Rank 7 of 10, master's

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