When you make the decision to pursue an online MBA in cybersecurity, you are signing up for one of the most exciting career fields in existence. The amount of personal and confidential information that can be found on the web is staggering. While there are many different steps that can be taken to protect your personal and business information, hackers and other cybercriminals make it their life’s work to steal this information and use it to their advantage.
An online MBA in cybersecurity gives you the skills and resources to be able to prevent hackers from gaining access to your information. You will also be able to restore and recover information that has been lost or compromised in a data breach. For many, this will get their business back on track. The choice of an online program means working professionals and career-changing adults can get their degree without having to leave their current jobs. The ability to put your learning to work immediately is invaluable.
Methodology: Ranking the Best MBA Cybersecurity Online Programs
For students considering an online cybersecurity MBA or master’s, Great Business Schools editors focus on accredited, legitimate institutions offering fully online and hybrid degrees. These programs are ranked according to data from IPEDS and Niche, including student satisfaction, salary potential, and tuition cost.
1. George Washington University
George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science offers a Master’s degree (M.Eng) Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance that requires the completion of 30 graduate semester units. Coursework for this best MBA cybersecurity online degree program includes security in mobile computing, secure cloud computing, cybersecurity and privacy, cybercrime for information security, and auditing monitoring and intrusion detection, to name a few. Students enrolled in GWU’s graduate cybersecurity degree typically finish the coursework in about 2.5 years, while working full time. The NSA and DHS recognize George Washington University as a national center of excellence in cyber defense.
George Washington University (GWU) was established in 1821 as an act of the US Congress. More than 26,000 students attend classes offered by GWU’s fourteen colleges/schools.
Highlight George Washington University was initially endowed by the first president of the United States, George Washington, a tireless advocate for the school.
Degree M.Eng Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance
2. Florida Tech
Florida Tech offers an MBA in Cybersecurity that is available 100% online and considered among the best MBA cybersecurity online degree programs. Florida Tech’s graduate cybersecurity degree includes classes in essentials of business development, managerial economics, financial management, organizational behavior, managerial accounting, and management information systems, plus a capstone course, among others. Degree candidates must complete 36 semester credits to meet Florida Tech’s program requirements. Specialization courses include security in the enterprise, introduction to information security management, and host-based security, to name a few.
Florida Tech was established in 1958 due to its location near the Kennedy Space Center and Florida’s space coast. The small-city campus off the east coast of Florida serves more than 6,300 students.
Highlight The school’s firsts distance learning program was made at the request of the US Navy.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
3. Syracuse University
Syracuse University offers a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity that is recognized by US News and World Report among the best MBA cybersecurity online degree programs. Students enrolled in Syracuse University’s graduate cybersecurity degree program requires students to complete 30 semester credits that can be finished in less than 16 months. Classes include computer security, assurance foundations, principles of operating systems, object oriented design, structured programming, and formal methods, machine learning, biometrics, and fundamentals of data and knowledge mining, among others.
Syracuse University (Syracuse) is a private university founded in 1870 by the United Methodist Church but operates as a nonsectarian. The school’s student body exceeds 21,900 students vying for certificates and academic degrees offered by the university’s thirteen colleges/schools.
Highlight Syracuse University’s campus is divided into several campuses, including the downtown Syracuse and beyond.
Degree Cybersecurity, MS
4. American University
American University’s Kogod School of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in cybersecurity that is designed to be completed in twelve months. American University’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree program requires the completion of 48 semester units, which includes two experiential immersions. Coursework includes business law, ethics, and governance, applied managerial statistics, strategic thinking for decisions, managerial economics, and financial management, to name a few. Total classes required are 15 classes, of which 13 are core classes, and two are electives.
American University (American) was established in 1893 and is a space-grant higher learning institution. American remains connected to the Methodist Church, although students of all faiths attend classes at American University.
Highlight Nearly 15,000 students are enrolled at American University studying for certificates and degree programs offered by the university’s eight colleges/schools.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
5. John Brown University
John Brown University’s Rogers Center offers an MBA in cybersecurity that degree candidates can finish entirely online. John Brown University’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree program requires the completion of 36-45 semester units, contingent on the major and the student’s previous education and experience. JBU’s graduate degree in cybersecurity is ranked among the top Christian online MBA programs by College Consensus. The ACBSP accredits the cybersecurity Master of Business Administration degree program offers by John Brown University. Students graduate with the skill to anticipate cyber-attacks and design programs to prevent them.
John Brown University (JBU) is a private Christian higher learning institution that operates interdenominationally. The university’s campus serves more than 2,500 students, most of who are on the main campus or to satellite facilities in Rogers and Little Rock.
Highlight Students attending John Brown University align with conservative lifestyle choices.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
6. Baylor University
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in cybersecurity that is recognized among the Lone Star State’s University’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree programs. Baylor’s MBA cybersecurity degree requires the completion of 48 semester units in one year. Coursework for Baylor University’s AACSB-accredited MBA degree prepares students for a rewarding career as a project manager, a security director, an IT director, or a cyber security consultant, to name a few. Classes for this MBA concentration include cyber security fundamentals, cyber security planning, and policy – a strategic approach and managing information technology in the business enterprise, among others.
Baylor University was founded by the final congress of the Republic of Texas in 1845. The school’s Waco campus is home to more than 18,900 students.
Highlight Baylor University is a Baptist higher learning institution and one of the first schools to the west of the Mississippi River.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
7. Maryville University
Maryville University offers an MBA in cybersecurity that degree candidates can finish entirely online. This best MBA cybersecurity online degree program requires no entrance exams and has received accreditation from the ACBSP, plus recognition from Kiplinger’s and Forbes. Students must complete 39 credit units to graduate, which can be done in under 15 months. Students graduate from Maryville’s MBA degree program to find rewarding work as a software developer, a computer systems analyst, a computer network architect, and an information security analyst, to name a few.
Maryville University (Maryville) was established by the Society of Sacred Heart in 1872 in the service of underprivileged students as a junior college. The university’s suburban location serves more than 6,100 students studying for nearly 100 academic degrees offered by the school.
Highlight Maryville University’s previous campus became the grounds for a boy’s academy.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
8. Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s University offers a Master’s in Cybersecurity that is recognized among the best MBA cybersecurity online degree programs. Students graduating from Saint Joseph’s University find a rewarding career as a cybersecurity specialist, a cloud security architect, a data privacy officer, an application security administrator, or an information assurance analyst, among others. The total credit units required to complete SJU’s program is 30 semester units. Students explore the topics of cyberattacks, cyber law, ethical issues, system/network vulnerabilities, and digital forensics, to name a few.
Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) is a private higher learning institution that was established in 1851. This Roman Catholic university operates two campuses and serves more than 7,900 students.
Highlight Students interested in studying abroad will find SJU offers tremendous opportunities in nearly 30 different academic programs.
Degree Cybersecurity, MS
9. Strayer University
Strayer University offers an MBA in IT Security Management that degree candidates can finish completely online. Strayer University’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree program requires to complete ten classes offered in 11-week formats. This ACBSP – approved IT risk management, theories of security management, strategic management, leadership/organizational behavior, and business communications – using social media to brand boost, to name a few. This MBA degree offers another fifteen concentrations in related business fields. The total semester credits for this program are 45.
Strayer University (Strayer) was established in 1892 as a for-profit higher learning institution. The university operates more than 70 locations across the country. More than 51,200 students attend classes online and on the various US campuses.
Highlight Strayer University was originally developed to educated and offer skill-bases to farmworkers in the Washington, DC area.
Degree IT Security Management, MBA
10. Champlain College
Champlain College offers a Master’s in Information Cybersecurity that is considered one of New England’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree programs. Students enrolled in Champlain College’s graduate degree in cybersecurity can complete the 30 to 33 semester credit unit program with a time commitment between 15 to 20 hours/week. Intelligent.com and US News & World Report recognize Champlain College’s graduate online cybersecurity degree among the best in the nation. Required classes include threat and vulnerability analysis, incident response & event management, managing risk in IT organizations, and threat analysis, to name a few. Champlain offers two academic tracks – operations and management.
Champlain College (Champlain) was established in 1878 exclusively for male students. Champlain’s residential campus serves more than 2,100 students that hail from nearly all states and another 15+ countries. The school offers more than 75 degree programs.
Highlight Champlain College became a coeducation and a business school in 1884.
Degree Information Security, MS
11. University of Lynchburg
The University of Lynchburg College of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in cybersecurity that is designed to be completed 100% online. The University of Lynchburg’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree program has received accreditation from ACBSP and typically is completed on a part-time basis in about 2 to 3 years. This 36 semester unit MBA program in cybersecurity requires the completion of classes in cyber forensics fundamentals, cybersecurity fundamentals, system architecture, and distributed system architecture and administration, to name a few.
The University of Lynchburg (UL) was established in 1903 and is administered by the Disciples of Christ. The university’s campus serves more than 2,600 students and is a few hours to the west and south of the nation’s capital.
Highlight The University of Lynchburg’s campus was once the famed Westover Hotel and Resort.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
12. Capitol Technology University
Capitol Technology University offers a Technical Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Information Assurance that was developed to be completed 100% online. Students graduate from Capitol Technology University’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree program prepares graduates for a career as a cybersecurity team leader, cyber analyst, business manager, or director of cyber security operations, to name a few. Classes include legal aspects of cybersecurity, security risk management, principles of cybersecurity, and complementary security, among others.
Capitol Technology University (Capitol Tech) was established in 1927. The university’s campus is located near the nation’s capital and serves more than 700 students. Capitol Technology University is recognized as a special focus school that includes classification as a national academic excellence center.
Highlight In 2020, Capitol Tech was honored by SC Media as the best cybersecurity higher ed degree program.
Degree Information Assurance, MBA
13. Utica College
Utica College offers a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity that is considered as one New York/New England’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree programs. Utica College offers seven concentrations for its graduate degree in cybersecurity includes electronic crime, cyber operations, computer forensics, cyber policy, intelligence, malware security, and data analytics. Classes for this degree program from Utica College include principles of cybersecurity, cyber intelligence, principles of cybercrime investigations, and critical national infrastructures, plus a capstone project. The NSA & the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) recognize Utica College as an excellence center in cyber defense education.
Utica College (Utica) was established in 1946 as a satellite facility for Syracuse University nearby. The college’s 100+ acre campus in upstate New York serves more than 2,900 students.
Highlight Notable alumni from Utica College include professors, congressmen, and Bernie Madoff SEC whistleblower, David Weber.
Degree Cybersecurity, MS
14. Salve Regina University
Salve Regina University offers an MBA in cybersecurity that can be completed 100% through the university’s distance learning platform. Salve Regina University’s best MBA cybersecurity online degree program typically is finished in 1.5 to 2 years, depending on the student’s chosen course load. The IACBE accredits Salve Regina University’s Master of Business Administration cybersecurity degree program. Degree candidates must complete 36 semester units in classes that include creative problem solving, strategic management & business policy (capstone), managing in a global economy, business law, and social justice & business ethics, to name a few.
Salve Regina University (Salve Regina) was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1934. More than 2,200 students attend classes offered by Salve Regina University.
Highlight Salve Regina University’s campus covers more than seven estates from a previous gilded age with many notable historic significant structures.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
15. Northcentral University
Northcentral University offers an MBA in Computer and Information Security (CIS) that is available entirely through the university’s distance learning platform. Students enrolled in Northcentral University must complete 30 semester credits, which is done on average in sixteen months. Northcentral University’s graduate cybersecurity degree program has received accreditation from the ACBSP, International. Students interested should inquire about the school’s accelerated academic track for this degree program.
Northcentral University(Northcentral) was established as an all-online higher learning institution in 1996. Northcentral University’s online platforms serve more than 9,900 students and offer degrees from bachelor’s to doctoral level.
Highlight Northcentral University is organized into five colleges/schools, with administrative offices in California and a service operating center in Arizona.
Degree Cybersecurity, MBA
What Is an MBA in Information Security?
An MBA in Information Security provides students with valuable tools that allow them to learn how information is used in the day to day operations of a business or organization as well as how technology allows the information to be utilized to its fullest potential. This type of degree gives you the knowledge to be able to analyze security protocols, evaluate how information is transferred from one place to another, and how technology can be used to protect and secure vital data that is extremely confidential. It also makes the recovery and restoration of information much easier.
An MBA in information security can be used to obtain employment in many different careers, including as network/platform architects, IT managers and executives, security engineers, data analysts, and cybersecurity professionals. These careers can be found in the public or private sectors and offer the option of unlimited growth over the next several years. This includes an ever-increasing potential for higher earnings and career advancement. Information security protocols are constantly changing in how information is collected, analyzed, and stored. This means that the degree programs associated with this career field are also continually changing and being upgraded.
The amount of data being utilized today is staggering. A graduate with an MBA in information security has the capability to work with large amounts of confidential data and utilize it to its full advantage. Because much of this information is confidential, an MBA graduate must be able to work within strict protocols and highly sensitive cybersecurity programs to protect the data they are working with. It’s essential that problem-solving skills be employed that involves finding out where data breaches occur and how the information has been used. This puts recovery and restoration protocols in motion that the graduate can then use to return the information systems back to a more normal state.
What’s the Difference Between Cybersecurity and Information Security?
Cybersecurity vs information security can be somewhat confusing. Information security is used to help maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information that is used in both your personal life as well as your business endeavors. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, involves securing the networks and pathways through which that information travels. This includes monitoring and securing those networks to find and eliminate programs that are designed to breach databases and steal confidential and private information.
Information security and cybersecurity go hand in hand. Vital information is constantly being transferred from customers to businesses and from business to business. While the information itself can be secured in a variety of ways, it is still at risk as it travels through cyberspace. Cybersecurity protocols are put in place to provide a secure platform for confidential information to travel over. Both types of security must work together to provide a seamless network of coverage that prevents hackers and cybercriminals from gaining access.
Individuals with an MBA degree in information security are able to establish protocols that secure vital and confidential information as it is used in the daily operations of a business or organization. As an IT executive or security analyst, a graduate is able to protect sensitive information so that it can travel safely across secure networks without being compromised. With this type of degree, you can expect to find work in almost any industry that requires security protocols for both their internet and information systems.
Carrie Morris
Author
Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief