Engineering Science (Cybersecurity) MS
Learn the foundational concepts of cybersecurity and get hands-on experience protecting cyber infrastructures in a wide range of applications, such as health care, manufacturing, and transportation systems.
Truly interdisciplinary
The Engineering Science MS with a course focus in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary program jointly offered by the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Management. It is intended for graduates and IT professionals who want to upskill their cybersecurity knowledge and background, or for those seeking positions as cybersecurity analysts, cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity administrators, or cybersecurity consultants in industry or local and federal government.
Hands-on experience
The program is designed to cover the foundational concepts of cybersecurity, teach cybersecurity principles, and provide hands-on experience applying security solutions and tools to protect cyber infrastructures in areas such as health care, manufacturing, and transportation systems.
Driven by workforce needs
This program is composed of core, focus area, and elective courses that characterize and underscore the educational and research goals of the Center of Academic Excellence in Information Systems Assurance Research and Education (CEISARE), which is concerned with cybersecurity workforce development in government, industry, and academia. The program also prepares students for various industry certifications.
The Engineering Science MS allows students to choose one of two paths on their journey to working in the cybersecurity field. Students can choose either a General Track or a CyberAI Track. The latter prepares students to lead at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cyber defense, two of the most critical technologies shaping our modern digital world.
General Track
The curriculum encompasses essential concepts in cybersecurity, covering foundational principles and imparting practical skills. Students will gain hands-on experience applying security solutions and utilizing tools to safeguard cyber infrastructures.
Prepare for roles such as: Cybersecurity Analyst, Security/Cybersecurity Engineer, Security Administrator, Cybersecurity Consultant
CyberAI Track
Students will gain a strong foundation in cryptography, network security, and ethical computing while developing technical mastery of AI-driven tools used in cybersecurity analytics, anomaly detection, and intelligent threat response.
Prepare for roles such as: AI Security Engineer, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, Machine Learning Security Specialist, or Data-Driven Risk Manager.
Which Track is Right for Me?
| General Track | CyberAI Track | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal: | Becoming a well-rounded cybersecurity engineer focused on securing networks, systems and organizations. | Leading or building AI-enabled security solutions (such as detection, response, forensics) and secure AI systems. |
| Background Required: | Background or related coursework in electrical, mechanical, or any associated engineering field; information technology, | Strong math and programming knowledge (Python, linear algebra, probability); curious about AI/ML in security. |
| Skill Focus: | Cryptography, network and software security, digital forensics, risk and compliance. | General skills plus AI/ML fundamentals, computer vision/NLP for threat intelligence. |
| Ideal Role: | Security Engineer, Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, GRC/Risk Analyst, AppSec/DevSecOps Engineer | AI Security Engineer, Threat Detection/Response ML Engineer, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Secure MLOps Engineer |
| Perfect for Students Who: | Want broad, industry-standard cyber skills that are applicable across sectors and roles. | Want to build or lead data-driven defenses and secure AI systems used in cyber operations. |
Cybersecurity and AI are among the fastest-growing fields in engineering and computing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity roles are projected to grow 29% by 2024, while AI and data-related occupations are growing by over 30%.
Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Boeing, Cisco, Citigroup, Dell, Deloitte, General Dynamics, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, KPMG, Northrup Grumman, and Wells Fargo are just a subset of companies that are aggressively seeking employees trained in cybersecurity.
Industry data provided by LightCast.
This program is distinct from UB's Computer Science and Engineering MS or Management Information Systems MS programs, which attract students primarily with computer science and business administration degrees, respectively.
We seek to admit students with backgrounds or related coursework in electrical, mechanical, information technology or any associated engineering field, information systems, or mathematics. This program is also open to students with an undergraduate minor in computer science or computer security.
Applicants must provide the following application materials:
Students can apply online. New applicants must create an account. If you have applied in the past, you will be asked to log in to your existing account to start a new application.
The application includes sections that will ask you to provide us with personal/biographical information, contact information, citizenship details, your past or current college/university, and degree details. You will be able to enter the names and contact information of your recommenders and upload supporting materials to your application. You may upload supporting documents while completing the application form or after you have submitted your application in your Application Status Portal.
You do not need official transcripts or test scores to apply. Unofficial copies are sufficient for application review, but students are encouraged to provide official copies if they have them.
A non-refundable fee of $100 is required to apply for Spring 2025 or later terms. The application fee for Fall 2024 is $85. After you submit your application form, you can pay the application fee online in your Application Status Portal with a credit card or e-check.
Copies of transcript(s) for all post-secondary schoolwork must be uploaded with your application for initial review. Upon an offer of admission, accepted applicants will be required to submit official transcripts and proof of degree(s).
Upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your application. Your resume or CV should include details about your education, employment, and internship history. Pertinent research experience should be included as well.
Please upload a brief personal statement describing your educational objectives, your academic experience, and why you're interested in the program. We are particularly interested in your math and programming background. There is no required length or word limit for the statement.
GRE scores are optional for this program. If you would like to take the GRE, you can arrange to take it through the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Official scores should come directly from ETS.
Note: the University at Buffalo Institutional Code is 2925.
One letter of recommendation is required to apply to this program. Letters are automatically requested when you enter recommenders' names and email addresses in your application. While we will accept letters from professional sources, we strongly prefer letters from professors acquainted with your academic interests, achievements, and abilities.
International applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. The chart below outlines acceptable test types and the university's minimum score required for admission. All applicants whose native language is not English will be required to provide proof of English proficiency.
Copies may be submitted for initial review. Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency.
| Test Type | University Minimum Score | To Order... |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (IBT) (including MyBest scores) TOEFL Home Edition | 79 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 8.5 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL ITP Plus | 550 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| IELTS and IELTS Indicator | 6.5 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| 55 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 120 | ADA Department of Testing will report your official scores to central application services |
Exam results must be dated within two years from your proposed date of admission and remain valid upon entering the term for which you applied.
It is strongly recommended to make test arrangements early in the year so sufficient time can be allowed for the results to be reported before application deadlines.
Exemptions to English Language Proficiency requirements can be found on The Graduate School website.
For questions about your application or admissions requirements, contact easgrad-enroll@buffalo.edu.
Program Co-Directors
Shambhu Upadhyaya
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
shambhu@buffalo.edu
(716) 645-3183
Kevin Cleary
School of Management
kpcleary@buffalo.edu
(716) 645-5251
Our flexible curriculum via the General Track and CyberAI Track enables students to focus on the core competencies that align with their own personal training goals to prepare them for careers in the field of information security, computer security, or AI cybersecurity!
Regardless of which track you choose, the program is 10 courses for a total of 30 credits and culminates with a capstone course. It is designed to be completed in three semesters but can be completed in one calendar year, subject to the availability of courses in the appropriate semesters and completing the final culminating experience requirement in the summer.
While the core courses provide a consistent body of core knowledge, the focus area courses provide breadth, and the electives provide depth and hands-on experience.
Core Courses (15 credits)
Take five courses to earn 15 credits:
- CSE 503 – Computer Science for Non-Majors (3 credits)
- CDA 535 – Introduction to Cryptography (3 credits) OR CSE 664 Applied Cryptography and Computer Security (3 credits)
- MGS 650 – Information Assurance (3 credits)
- CDA 551/MGS 639 – Cybersecurity and Privacy (3 credits)
- CSE 569 – Network Security (3 credits) OR CSE 565 Computer Security (3 credits)
Focus Area Courses (9 credits)
Students will take CSE 518 as a capstone course and their choice of two other courses from the list below to earn 9 credits:
- CSE 518 – Software Security (3 credits)
- EAS 527/MGS 527 – Systems Security (3 credits)
- CSE 5XX – AI/ML and Security* (3 credits)
- MGS 610 – Digital Forensics (3 credits)
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Choose two, 3-credit electives:
- CSE 510 – Hardware Trust and Security (3 credits)
- CSE 526 – Blockchain Application Development (3 credits)
- CSE 529 – Algorithms for Modern Computing Systems (3 credits)
- CSE 535 – Information Retrieval (3 credits)
- CDA 502/MGS 613 – Database Management Systems (3 credits)
- MGS 638 – Cybersecurity Analytics (3 credits)
- MGS 637 – Cloud Computing Security Concepts (3 credits)
- EAS 599 – Cybersecurity Project (3 credits)
Students can also take additional focus area classes as an elective, if interested, as long as they are 6 unique credits.
Core Courses (15 credits)
Blending foundational knowledge from both domains:
- CDA 535 – Introduction to Cryptography (3 credits) OR CSE 664 Applied Cryptography and Computer Security (3 credits)
- MGS 650 – Information Assurance (3 credits)
- EAS 510 – Basics of AI (3 credits)
- EAS 574/CSE 574 – Introduction to Machine Learning (3 credits)
- CDA 551 Cybersecurity, Privacy and Ethics (3 credits)
Focus Area Courses (9 credits)
Students will take CSE 518 as a capstone course and their choice of two other courses from the list below to earn 9 credits. The course list offers options for a specialization in cybersecurity, AI or both:
- CSE 518 – Software Security (3 credits)
- MGS 610 – Digital Forensics (3 credits)
- CSE 676 – Deep Learning (3 credits)
- CSE 560/EAS 550 – Data Models and Query Languages (3 credits)
- CSE 573 – Computer Vision (3 credits) (capstone)
- CSE 569 – Network Security (3 credits)
Elective Courses (6 credits)
Choose two, 3-credit electives:
- CSE 510 – Hardware Trust and Security§ (3 credits)
- CSE 526 – Blockchain Application Development§ (3 credits)
- MGS 638 – Cybersecurity Analytics§ (3 credits)
- CSE 535 – Information Retrieval
- CSE 635 – NLP + Text Mining
- EAS 599 – Cybersecurity Project (3 credits)
Students can also take additional focus area classes as an elective, if interested, as long as they are 6 unique credits.
* Indicates a new course and/or course under development.
** The culminating experience requirement can be completed as a part of a pre-approved experience-based elective course or through a pre-approved internship or industry certification audit and review, or as supervised work with a faculty member.
§ Qualifies as an experience-based elective with a significant project.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are admitted to this program may qualify for a CyberCorps® Scholarship.
National Science Foundation started the Federal Cyber Service program 22 years ago to increase the number of qualified students in computer security and information assurance (CS/IA). The motivation was to build capacity in the U.S. higher education enterprise to address the shortage of skilled professionals in these fields at various federal agencies.
Scholarship Deadline
The deadline to apply for this scholarship for Fall 2024 has passed. Check back soon for Fall 2025 information.
Who is eligible?
- Undergrad applicants must be juniors (senior in their BS/MS program), graduate students must be in their first year of MS program
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must be able to obtain security clearance and be eligible for federal employment
- If not a UB student, must be eligible for admission to the MS/MBA program at UB in the Engineering, Business, Law, Math, Communication disciplines
Student Commitments
Scholarship recipients are required to do a paid internship and work for a federal, state or local agency year-for-year upon graduation.
What does this scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers two years of education in the BA/BS/MS/MBA/PhD programs with Cybersecurity option. Combined BS/MS students will be initially supported as undergrads. The following items are covered.
- Tuition
- Fees
- Professional development and conference travel
- Yearly stipend of $37,000 for graduate students
Students interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity should consider applying for the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Service Academy.
The program is a result of commitment from the DoD and Congress to support higher education as a means to prepare the DoD workforce to deal with threats against the nation's critical information system and networks. The program is administered by the National Security Agency.
Scholarship Deadline
The deadline to apply for this scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year is February 1, 2025.
Who is eligible?
- 18 years of age or older.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Have completed the first two years of an undergraduate program.
- Enrolled in or pursuing a course of study in one of the scientific, technical or managerial disciplines related to cybersecurity.
- Must maintain an overall 3.2 GPA if an undergraduate student, or a 3.5 GPA if a graduate student.
- Must be able to obtain security clearance and be eligible for federal employment.
What does this scholarship cover?
- Tuition
- Fees
- Books
Student Commitments
Scholarship recipients are required to work for the Department of Defense a minimum of one year for each year of scholarship support they receive.