Earn your information assurance graduate certificate while building skills to stand out in the fast-growing fields of information assurance and cyber security.

Gain a practical understanding of the principles of data protection, cyber security, and computer forensics with a graduate certificate in information assurance. UMGC was named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. Source

These program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2019–2020 academic year. For prior year academic requirements, visit the catalog archive in the Current Students section.

About the Information Assurance Graduate Certificate

We've developed the information assurance curriculum in conjunction with top employers, meaning you'll gain real-world experience through interactions with actual organizations and learn job-relevant skills from case studies of real information assurance crises. Your courses will feature topics in network and internet security, intrusion detection and protection, cryptology and data protection, and computer forensics.

What You'll Learn

Through your coursework, you will learn how to

  • Secure information using symmetric and asymmetric key techniques (including the Advanced Encryption Standard and RSA public key cryptography) and message integrity techniques
  • Protect networks using risk analysis, defense models, security policy development, authentication and authorization controls, firewalls, packet filtering, virtual private networks (VPNs), and wireless network security
  • Respond to attacks with damage assessments, data forensics, data mining, attack tracing, and system recovery processes for continuity of operation
  • Identify system vulnerabilities and attack patterns and solve problems with intrusion detection tactics

Coursework Examples

In past projects, students have had the opportunity to

  • Conduct laboratory simulations of real events, using the same tools and techniques as industry and government, including
    • Information risk analysis
    • Network packet analysis
    • Forensics tools for evidence collection and preservation
    • Access control techniques
    • Protocol analyzers
    • Intrusion detection systems
    • Intrusion prevention systems
    • Networking mapping tools
    • Encryption/decryption tools
    • Vulnerability assessments

Information Assurance Graduate Certificate Requirements

Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.

Required Courses

  • UCSP 615
    (to be taken within the first 6 credits of study)
  • INFA 610
  • INFA 620
  • INFA 630
  • INFA 640
  • INFA 650

Overall Certificate Requirements

  • To pursue a certificate program, you must be admitted as a UMGC student.
  • You are responsible for notifying UMGC of your intention to complete certificate work before completion of your last course.
  • If you apply credits from your graduate certificate to a related master's degree, then you must apply for your certificate once you have completed its requirements before finishing the master's requirements.
  • All required coursework for the certificate must be completed with a minimum grade of B (3.0). Certificate courses cannot be taken pass/fail.
  • All graduate certificate requirements must be fulfilled within five consecutive years. Any transfer credits, if applicable, must have been earned within the five-year time frame to be applied toward a graduate certificate.

Career Preparation

This program is designed to help prepare you for work in network and Internet security, intrusion detection and prevention, and cryptology.

Experience Recommended for Success in the Program

This program is appropriate for midcareer professionals or career changers. We recommend a background in computing and programming. We recommend UCSP 605 if you'd like to improve your graduate writing skills.

Student Clubs and Organizations

  • Cyber Competition Team

    • Type: Student organization
    Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate

    The Cyber Competition Team represents UMGC at various cybersecurity events and highly competitive tournaments nationwide. Being a member of the team allows students to develop their cybersecurity skills and to network with other students with similar interests.



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