Graduate Certificate in Computer Security

[6 courses]

Explore topics like cryptography, secure programming, security protocols, firewalls, intrusion detection, and social engineering. Continue on with in-depth material on advanced crypto and protocols, honeypots, wireless network security, and attacker techniques, and LDAP complemented with hands-on lab exercises. Computer Forensics investigates the computer science and law enforcement issues surrounding computers and networks that have been used in a crime or are attacked by criminals. Software developers, system administrators, IT and R&D managers, business professionals with sufficient background, and legal professionals will gain a broad set of technologies unique to the problem of securing computing platforms.

Entrance Requirements

1. A bachelor's degree in any discipline from a regionally-accredited educational institution in the U.S. (or international equivalent).
   OR Minimum of four years of experience in software development for applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree or the equivalent. Students without a bachelor's degree may not continue in or transfer to a GPS master's program. 
2. An overall grade-point-average (GPA) of at least 2.7. (Applicants with a GPA less than 2.7 will be considered for provisional admission with their professional experience factored into the decision.)

Items required to complete your application:
(International students: please see International Student Admission Procedures.)

1. Application fee of $50 (non-refundable)
2. Completed GPS Online Application for Admission
3. Admission essay giving your reasons for wanting to enter this program. Essays can be one to two pages (in .doc, .rtf, .txt, or .pdf format).
4. Detailed resume which includes all work experience, job description, and any programming languages used (in .doc, .rtf, .txt, or .pdf format).
5. A list of any computing-related courses not appearing on transcripts.
6. Official transcript(s) from ALL universities/colleges attended bearing an institutional seal and sent directly to the Graduate Programs in Software (GPS) office by the issuing institution (even if the course work appears as transfer work on another school transcript).

Note: The GRE or GMAT is not required for the GPS programs.

Certificate completion criteria
To complete the Certificate in Computer Security students must finish the six required SEIS courses with a GPA of 2.7 or better. Students with a bachelor’s degree will be able to use the Certificate in Computer Security as a base to continue in the Master of Science or Master of Software Systems (MSS) degree. Please note: Students who are in a Graduate Programs in Software master's track cannot transfer into this certificate program midstream; however, a student may complete this certificate after completing a master’s degree.

Required Courses

The following six courses are required for this certificate. 

SEIS 640  Operating Systems Design
SEIS 645  Computer & Network Communication
SEIS 650  Legal Issues in Technology
SEIS 720  Computer Security
SEIS 721  Advanced Computer Security
SEIS 722  Computer Forensics

• Courses completed from previous GPS master's degrees achieved (MS, MSS, or MSDD) cannot be used for the Certificate in Computer Security.
  
• SEIS 778 Internship/Seminar may be taken, but course will not count toward the 18 credits required for completion of the certificate.
  
• Any substitutions must be approved by the GPS Director.