MBA in Cybersecurity
Bridge the Gap Between IT and the Boardroom by Earning an MBA in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a growing concern in every industry that relies on information technology. Businesses need to protect their own proprietary information, as well as their customers’ sensitive data. The MBA in Cybersecurity is a way to bridge the gap between the boardroom and the IT department. GCU’s Colangelo College of Business is pleased to offer the Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Cybersecurity degree to future middle management and top executives.
This in-demand master’s degree in cybersecurity emphasis blends studies in modern business management with a cutting-edge cybersecurity curriculum. If you earn your master’s degree in cybersecurity, you can prepare to meet the diverse challenges of the modern workplace. The skills you can learn in this MBA program are transferrable across a broad range of cybersecurity jobs and industries.
Earn Your Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Online
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GCU is a leader in online education. The online master’s degree in cybersecurity program allows you to study when and where it is convenient for you. This program requires 54 credits for completion. Most of the online classes are eight weeks long. This program is also available through evening classes on campus at GCU.
This online MBA in Cybersecurity program emphasis includes business analytics and management coursework with cutting-edge cybersecurity courses. Some of the core class topics you will take include:
- Organizations and leadership
- Applications of cyber warfare
- Design of enterprise security and infrastructure
- Operational and strategic management
GCU’s master’s degree in cybersecurity emphasis provides a comprehensive study of modern business issues and cybersecurity concerns. There is an emphasis on examining the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Some of the other topic areas you will study include:
- Security solutions that align with business plans
- Financial forecasting
- Management of working capital
- Cost behavior and budgeting
Careers for MBA in Cybersecurity Degree Emphasis Graduates
The Colangelo College of Business seeks to graduate fully capable business leaders and future executives. When you graduate with your MBA in Cybersecurity, you can prepare to pursue a decision-making role in any company with vulnerabilities to technology systems.
According to a report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and McAfee, the world economy lost an estimated $500 billion to cyber-crimes in 2014. The estimate of losses for 2017 is $600 billion. With the growth of cyber-crimes, there is a critical need for business executives who understand the dynamics of cyber-attacks and threat intelligence to mitigate the risk.
Some of the cybersecurity jobs that can stem from this MBA program may include the following:
- Management analyst
- Logistician
- Business operations specialist
- Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialist
- Training and development manager
MBA in Cybersecurity Degree Emphasis FAQs
A cybersecurity master’s degree can provide many benefits. For one, there is a high level of job security in the cybersecurity industry, as companies are in need of nearly 3.4 million cybersecurity jobs globally.1 If you’re looking for high-level positions in a dynamic industry, have a passion for technology and seek job security, earning your master’s in cybersecurity can be highly beneficial for you.
Cybersecurity positions typically do not require knowledge of coding. However, as you advance to higher-level positions, coding skills may prove to be useful. Skills that are more important for cybersecurity careers include preciseness, problem-solving skills, knowledge of various technologies, accuracy and advanced communication skills.
There are various degrees that focus on the study and implementation of cybersecurity, such as a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. In these degree programs, you’ll advance your understanding of the cybersecurity field by studying advanced security-specific techniques and evaluative methods, as well as completing a capstone course where you’ll demonstrate your advanced knowledge and skills.
Whether a degree in cybersecurity or computer science is better for you depends on your career goals and skillset. A career in computer science focuses on various programming languages and coding. It is a technical discipline that will teach design, software and data-related computer processes. In contrast, a cybersecurity career focuses on learning how to protect data from hackers and how to defend against cybercriminals, data breaches and attacks.
1 Retrieved from (ISC)2, 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, in December 2022.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the College of Business. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the College of Business, key concepts of leadership, and an overview of how the science of organizational behavior contributes to effective leaders and managers.
Course Description
This course is designed for students who are preparing for more advanced coursework in business but who have not had accounting in undergraduate work. Topics covered include the principles and practices of financial accounting, including the fundamentals of revenue recognition, the components of the balance sheet, and financial statement analysis. ?The course explores accounting theories using publicly traded companies and case studies.
Course Description
This course is designed for individuals who are preparing for more advanced coursework in accounting and is designed for students who have not had finance in undergraduate work. Topics covered include financial analysis, financial planning, asset evaluation, capital structure, and working capital management.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to prepare students in mathematical, probability, and statistical concepts for their upcoming studies in quantitative methods. The course is intended for those students who have not had any prior statistical education, although students who have had statistics should also consider taking the course as a refresher.
Course Description
This course introduces microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts that are relevant to contemporary business. Emphasis is placed on using economic data for business decision making.
Course Description
This course is a study in the quantitative tools and techniques used to model business functions and applications. Emphasis is placed on how to set up models, and how to interpret and apply their results. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
Management of the marketing function, market environmental analysis, and marketing planning, strategy, and control are fundamentals of marketing management. The course examines the marketing process, marketing research, product development innovation and diffusion, pricing strategy, distribution value drain, advertising and promotion, and strategic marketing issues. Emphasis is placed on case study analysis and current academic research with a marketing plan as a significant curriculum component.
Course Description
This course covers managerial accounting concepts and procedures for internal reporting, including the study of cost behavior, cost systems, budgeting, and performance evaluation. Coursework includes case studies, group projects, and class discussion. Prerequisite: ACC-502.
Course Description
Operations Management examines managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on methods to streamline and drive inefficiencies out of a firm’s internal processes to build a highly efficient organization. The course also focuses on external processes by examining ways to achieve greater supply chain integration with suppliers and customers. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: SYM-506.
Course Description
This course discusses elements of business financial decisions, including financial forecasting and development of proformas, management of working capital, capital budgeting, capital structure, and raising funds in capital markets. Prerequisite: FIN-504.
Course Description
This capstone course focuses on preparing and conducting a strategic analysis of a selected publicly traded firm to produce actionable intelligence used to formulate recommendations to promote the creation of a value-adding strategy. Based on the results of their strategic analysis, students are then required to prepare the framework of a strategic plan that creates significant value for the selected firm. Prerequisites: MGT-605, MKT-607, ACC-650, and FIN-650.
Course Description
With a brief introduction to cybercrime and cybersecurity, this course will provide students with an overview of the various attacks and the countermeasures organizations can use to defend themselves. Exploring concepts such as defense-in-depth, layered security, vulnerability assessments, risk management, governance and compliance, and encryption; students will become familiar with prevention and protection theories, best practices, and strategies to securing corporate data (intellectual property). This course will conclude with an exploration of the various hacker psychologies and the differences between black-hat, grey-hat, and white-hat (Hackers with Halos) hackers. Prerequisite: UNV-504 or UNV-507.
Course Description
This course introduces enterprise infrastructure design; including hardware, software, policies, and business processes. Emphasis is placed on integrating security solutions and theories in alignment with business objectives to achieve sustainability, reliability, and availability while deterring threats from cyber-attacks. This course also introduces students to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, providing a foundation to formulating a strategy for cybersecurity program design. Prerequisite: CYB-505.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.