Security Technologies M.S.S.T.

The Technological Leadership Institute, specifically the Security Technologies program, along with the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, offers an integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree program. This is exclusively available to students officially admitted to the College of Science & Engineering Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science. The program allows students with strong academic performance records to take additional credits at undergraduate tuition rates during their last couple of semesters which can be applied towards the Security Technologies MSST program.

Critical infrastructure encompassing vital sectors like energy, water, transportation, and healthcare, faces evolving threats ranging from cyber-attacks to natural disasters. As the complexity and interconnectivity of these systems grow, there's an urgent need for a bolstered critical infrastructure protection workforce in Minnesota and nationwide. This workforce specializes in threat detection, response, and resilience strategies, ensuring the continued functionality and safety of essential services upon which Americans rely. As a component of security technologies, cybersecurity talent gaps are prevalent across the nation. In the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area alone, there are currently 11,574 total people employed in the cybersecurity workforce. To meet the needs of current job openings, notwithstanding positions that will be newly created in the future, an additional 5,333 trained cybersecurity professionals are needed. Since 2010, the number of jobs posted in the field of cybersecurity in Minnesota has grown 62%. The average salaries for those working in the critical infrastructure field nationwide is nearly $74,000 and for those working in areas focused on cybersecurity, that number jumps to an average salary of $132,962.

By offering the 4+1 degree, combining Computer Science and Security Technologies, students can streamline their education in a condensed time frame allowing them to accelerate their entry into high paying jobs. Graduates of a 4+1 program will have a competitive advantage over other applicants due to the comprehensive understanding of both computer science fundamentals and specialized knowledge in security technologies. Overall, a 4+1 program combining computer science with security technologies offers a strategic pathway for students to acquire specialized expertise and launch successful careers.

Applicants must be enrolled University of Minnesota Twin Cities students admitted to a Computer Science BS undergraduate program. Applicants must meet a Technical GPA minimum of 3.5 (as defined by the College of Science & Engineering). Applicants must have at least 75 credits completed at the time of their application. Applicants must have passed with a C- or better all of the following courses: CSCI 1933/1933H or 1913, CSCI 2011, CSCI 2021, CSCI 2033 or a math course containing linear algebra content, CSCI 2041, and at least two 3xxx level or higher CSCI courses completed with grades posted at the time of application.

Students apply to an integrated degree program the semester prior to the last year of undergraduate academic study, providing the student one year (two semesters) to complete undergraduate degree requirements and also take graduate-level courses. Admission can be revoked should the student not successfully complete all the admission requirements.

Application Procedure:

Students should meet with a departmental advisor in Computer Science to discuss the program, their eligibility, and the feasibility of completing the bachelor’s degree in four years while adding additional graduate credits in their senior year and completing the remaining master’s requirements in the fifth year. Students should also meet with staff in the Technological Leadership Institute to further discuss the program. All of the required items listed below must be submitted to the Computer Science / Security Technologies Integrated Program Application Form prior to our annual application deadline of March 15 for fall admission consideration:

● Advisor Verification Form (found on TLI's website)

● Statement of Purpose

● Resume

● Unofficial Transcript

Note: All applications are subject to review by the Grad Student Recruiting Committee

Students can transfer a maximum of 16 credits taken during their integrated senior undergraduate year to the graduate program. Students will complete a minimum of one year as a graduate student before completing master’s program requirements. We consider this to be 16 credits. Coursework applied to the graduate degree must be taken at the graduate level (i.e., 5xxx or above). Credits cannot be applied to the undergraduate degree (i.e., no "double dipping").

Students admitted to this integrated degree program will complete and be awarded the undergraduate degree within 4 years (8 semesters) for NHS and 3 years (6 semesters) for NAS students. Admission will be revoked if the awarding of the undergraduate degree exceeds 8 semesters for NHS students and 6 semesters for NAS students.

The bachelor’s and master’s degrees cannot be awarded simultaneously.

Credits cannot be (double counted) used for both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. This includes credits used for other undergraduate degrees, majors, or minors.

Credits used for undergraduate degrees, majors, or minors cannot be split between the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Courses that will be used to fulfill the master’s degree requirements must appear in the undergraduate degree sub-plan by the tenth day of the semester in which the student is enrolled in the courses. Any final edits or updates to this sub-plan must be reflected on the APAS no later than the last day of instruction in the semester in which the undergraduate degree will be awarded. Courses not in this sub-plan by that time cannot be updated later and, therefore, will not be eligible for use towards the master’s degree.