Gain a practical understanding of the principles of data protection, cybersecurity, and computer forensics with a graduate certificate in information assurance at University of Maryland Global Campus. 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 feature topics in network and internet security, intrusion detection and protection, cryptology and data protection, and computer forensics.

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.

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2021–2022 academic year. For prior year academic requirements, visit our catalog archive.

About the Information Assurance Graduate Certificate

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

Total Credits Required: 15

  • UCSP 615
    (to be taken within the first 6 credits of study)
  • INFA 610
    (must be taken as one of the first two credit-bearing courses in the program)
  • INFA 620
  • INFA 630
  • INFA 640
  • INFA 650

Overall Certificate Requirements

Review the overall graduate certificate requirements on the certificates overview webpage.

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



Finance Your Education

Learn about ways to meet, manage, and lower your education costs.