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UC Berkeley Master's in Cybersecurity online

Masters from University of California, Berkeley

UC Berkeley Master's in Cybersecurity online

The online Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) program prepares leaders to drive the future of cybersecurity solutions across industries.

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#2 Online Master's in Cybersecurity

Ranked by US News & World Report

100% Online

Program type

Flexible dates

January, May, September

2 Years

Program duration

About the program

  • Complete in as few as 20 months:

    Learners master core technical skills and become fluent in cybersecurity's business, political, and legal contexts. 

  • GMAT/GRE scores are not required:

    The admissions committee reviews applications holistically and considers each applicant's background and goals over test scores.

  • Advance your career in a growing field:

    Demand for cybersecurity professionals is projected to grow 35% between 2021 and 2031.Footnote 3

Featured courses

The interdisciplinary cybersecurity@berkeley curriculum offers hands-on practical experience with secure systems and applications, and equips learners with the ability to lead, manage, and contribute to building cybersecurity solutions. Learners graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the technical, political, business, legal, and ethical components of cybersecurity. Below are three featured courses in the program:

  • Cryptography for Cyber and Network Security:

    Learn about the mathematical and practical foundations of cryptography and the many different cryptosystems.

  • Operating System Security:

    Compare approaches to security taken among several modern operating systems, and learn techniques for establishing trust across a set of interoperating systems.

  • Privacy Engineering:

    Survey privacy mechanisms applicable to systems engineering, focusing on the inference threat that may arise due to advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Learner testimonials

The courses provided me with a solid foundation of a broad set of both technical and less technical skills, as well as final projects to showcase and discuss in interviews. Enrolling was certainly one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life!

Kelsey C, data scientist at Fitbit

The biggest advantage of the I School is the diversity of peers, which provides a unique opportunity to learn from each other. With the teaching faculty having years of experience in industry, they provide a great understanding of data science applications in real-world situations.

Divya G, data and applied scientist at Microsoft

Thrive in the world of cybersecurity

17,300
Projected jobs each year for information security analysts, on average, from 2023 to 2033
33%
Projected growth in employment for information security analysts from 2023 to 2033
3,000+
Thriving alumni network spanning 34 countries

Ready to advance your career?

In-person immersions

The immersion experience allows learners to socialize in person with faculty and peers from around the world — on the UC Berkeley campus — and make lasting connections in the San Francisco Bay Area and in nearby Silicon Valley, a global technology hub.

Currently offered three times a year, immersions deliver full itineraries of additional learning, networking, and community-building opportunities, such as:

  • Presentations led by I School faculty and industry experts

  • Professional development workshops

  • Networking events with alumni and local industry leaders 

  • Company tours of leading data-driven organizations

Frequently asked questions

What are the program requirements?

The cybersecurity@berkeley program consists of 27 units. Learners are also required to attend at least one, three- or four-day immersion at the UC Berkeley campus.

Is this program accredited?

The cybersecurity@berkeley program is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC accreditation speaks to the quality of the program, faculty, and the Berkeley I School. It also ensures that the program will prepare you for a career in cybersecurity.

What is the online learning experience like?

Each week, learners complete self-paced coursework and attend live, face-to-face online classes via Zoom. The online platform encourages collaboration and connection, enabling learners to forge lasting relationships with classmates and faculty through access to social groups and one-on-one interaction opportunities.

What career services are available to learners?

Learners have access to the UC Berkeley Career Services Team, who will assist them in their job search, including résumé-building and interviewing advice.

What types of aid are available?

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal financial aid programs, which include student loans. It may be a good idea to apply for financial aid as early as possible. 

To be eligible for federal financial aid, learners must be registered in a minimum of 6 units per semester. Learners who choose to take a less accelerated path toward completion of the degree should be aware that this will impact their federal financial aid eligibility.

This program is offered in collaboration with 2U, which is an online program management (OPM) company. The roles and responsibilities of the OPM partner in the offering of the program are to provide marketing support for the program, assistance with student recruitment, and front-line student support. UC Berkeley and UC Berkeley faculty are responsible for the creation of academic content, instruction, grading and assessment, credential and transcript creation and issuance, student services and escalated student support, program admissions, and accessibility accommodation.