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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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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

About UC Berkeley School of Information

UC Berkeley School of Information (I School) is a vibrant community of scholars, practitioners, and learners who are committed to expanding access to information for all. Since 2014, the I School has been offering online programs to develop data-driven leaders anywhere in the world who want to solve current and emerging information problems.

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are subject to change and may increase each academic year. Tuition does not include student fees, technology platform licensing, or support services. Learners are also responsible for travel and accommodation costs related to any in-person immersions or residentials.

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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.
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Admissions

UC Berkeley seeks candidates who want to make a positive impact on the I School community and the world. As part of your application, you will need to submit electronic copies of the following documents:

  • Official transcripts (bachelor’s degree required)

  • Statement of purpose and additional admissions statements

  • Two professional letters of recommendation

  • Current résumé

  • GRE/GMAT scores (optional)


In-person immersions

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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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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