Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Information Security Education for the Professional
Cyber threats and cybersecurity are increasingly critical areas of focus for the U.S. government, with the Department of Homeland Security serving as the coordinating agency. If you are a computer and information systems specialist looking to advance your career or move into the government or private sector supporting government initiatives, you may want to consider Penn State's online intercollege Master of Professional Studies (iMPS) in Homeland Security - Information Security and Forensics option, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology. As a graduate of the program, you can build your understanding of the theories, skills, and technologies associated with:
- information security and assurance
- cyber and network security
- cyber threat defense and forensics
- intelligence analysis
- risk assessment, mitigations, and resiliencies
- security policy development
- privacy protection and assurance
- security audit and compliance
- emergency and security management across multiple venues
Why Penn State for Your Information Security Education?
The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Penn State as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The designation demonstrates Penn State's commitment to academic excellence in information security and assurance education.
Who Should Apply?
The Information Security and Forensics option is open to candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in a technical or scientific discipline, including applied mathematics, computer information systems, computer science, information sciences, engineering, information systems, statistics, or related fields. Students with sufficient background gained through work experience or professional training in information technologies — such as networks, web services, and database development — will be considered for admission to the program.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, or application instructions.
Online Education at Penn State
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education and more than two decades of experience in online learning. We create an online learning environment that offers you the same quality education our residential students experience in a face-to-face setting. Learn more about Penn State World Campus.
Courses
Penn State's 33-credit online Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security - Information Security and Forensics option includes core courses that build an understanding of the theories, skills, and technologies associated with network security, cyber threat defense and forensics, intelligence analysis, risk assessment, security policy development, and privacy protection and assurance.
Learning Outcomes of the Program
- Understand theories and technologies associated with: cyber and network security, cyber threat defense and forensics, risk assessment, security policy development, and intelligence analysis.
- Build your skills in: information security and assurance, security audit and compliance, and emergency and security management across multiple venues.
Up to 10 graduate credits may be transferred into the program from an accredited institution (as permitted by the Graduate School). At least 18 credits must be in courses at the 500 or 800 level, with at least 6 credits at the 500 level.
Please note that as per the Graduate School transfer credit policy, credits that have been applied toward the degree requirements for a previous degree, whether at Penn State or elsewhere, may not be applied to degree requirements for a graduate degree at Penn State.
All students are required to complete the HLS Orientation (non-credit) as part of the HLS core curriculum before the end of their first semester. This orientation provides an overview of the HLS program and the field of homeland security.
Required Courses (9 credits)
Information Security and Forensics Option Prescribed Courses (12 credits)
Electives (select 9 credits)
Capstone Experience (3 required credits)
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,017 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,203 per semester |
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,027 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,325 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all materials, must be received by the deadlines below to be considered complete. You may apply several months in advance and indicate your planned semester start date in the application. We encourage you to apply early.
To help you manage the application process, our online application management system will provide you with complete details regarding the required elements of your application portfolio — and will even help you track your progress.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
The degree is multidisciplinary in nature and students from many disciplines may be accepted into the program. However, because of the technical nature of the degree program, those who hold a bachelor's degree in a technical or scientific discipline — including applied mathematics, computer information systems, computer science, information sciences, engineering, statistics, or a related field — will be considered. Students with sufficient background gained through work experience or professional training in information technologies, such as networks, web services, and database development, will also be considered for admission to the program.
Students are expected to have basic competency in college algebra, computer programming, networks, and information technology (related work experience is also acceptable). A student may be accepted into the program with "provisional status" for no more than one year while work is completed to meet these competencies.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.
GPA and Test Scores — Official GRE test scores are not required and will not be accepted as part of your application.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
References (2) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of two references from professional sources. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.
Program-Specific Questions/Materials
Résumé — Upload your résumé (one-to two-pages) to the online application.
Statement of Interest — Please include a written personal statement in your application to share information that you deem important to your candidacy. Be sure to include why you are a qualified applicant and how this degree will assist you in meeting your future career goals. You may wish to describe aspects of your background and interests — intellectual, personal and/or professional — and how you will uniquely contribute to the IST community and/or related professions. As a suggested length, limit your statement to one or two pages, double-spaced. At the top of each page please indicate "STATEMENT OF INTEREST," along with your name, numbering each page.
Start your Application
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
How to Apply
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
Begin the graduate school application
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
- Choose "HOMELAND SECURITY" as the major
- Choose “MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES” as the degree
- Choose “INFORMATION SECURITY AND FORENSICS OPTION” as the option
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
This option prepares graduates to work in areas such as information assurance engineering, catastrophe risk management and analysis, computer systems security analysis, information security/digital forensics, intelligence analysis, and systems integration and networks.
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can often earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately.
Contact Us
For questions related to the Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security — Information Security and Forensics option, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, please contact:
Chrissie Fitzgerald
Graduate Programs Manager
College of Information Sciences and Technology
The Pennsylvania State University
E108 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802
[email protected]
For general questions about Penn State World Campus, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
[email protected]
Faculty
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Wei-Fan Chen
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DegreePh.D., Instructional Systems, Penn State
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DegreeM.Ed., Instructional Systems, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Computer Science and Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan
Dr. Wei-Fan Chen is an associate professor of information sciences and technology at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. His research and teaching interests include cognitive and information sciences and technology as related to learning.
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Robert J. Cole
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DegreePh.D., Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware
Dr. Robert J. Cole has been an adjunct instructor for the College of IST since 2013. He is also a systems engineer and data scientist for Raytheon Intelligence and Information Services.
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Edward J. Glantz
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DegreePh.D., Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State
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DegreeMBA, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
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DegreeB.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
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DegreeB.A., General Arts and Science, Penn State
Dr. Edward J. Glantz, P.E., has been with the College of IST faculty since 2009. Prior to joining IST, Dr. Glantz served 10 years as a faculty member of Penn State's Smeal College of Business. His career spans more than 20 years of managing technology, research, and marketing in the manufacturing and telecommunication industries, including startup work.
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Abdullah Konak
DegreePh.D., Industrial Engineering, University of PittsburghDr. Abdullah Konak is a professor of information sciences and technology at Penn State Berks and teaches courses on database management systems, information security, and technology-based entrepreneurship.
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Anna Levy
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DegreePh.D., Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State
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DegreeMLS, Library and Information Sciences, Pratt Institute School of Information
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DegreeB.A., Library Science and Bibliography, Moscow State University of Culture and Arts
Dr. Anna Levy has been an instructor for the College of IST and World Campus since 2014. Prior to joining IST, Dr. Levy served 8 years as an adjunct faculty member of Queen College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (CUNY). Her career spans more than 30 years of conducting library and academic research, including work as a reference librarian and a bibliographer. Dr. Levy’s primary research interests include e-government research at the municipal level, public administration, and town-gown relations, particularly focusing on the analysis of the impacts of social media and mobile technology on local governance in the information age.
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Mahdi Nasereddin
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DegreePh.D., Industrial Engineering, University of Central Florida
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DegreeM.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Central Florida
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DegreeB.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Central Florida
Dr. Mahdi Nasereddin is an associate professor of information sciences and technology at Penn State Berks. His current research interest is in the application of artificial intelligence, simulation metamodeling, simulation optimization, and experimental design.
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Mimi Zhang
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DegreePh.D., Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State
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DegreeM.Sc., Information and Knowledge Management, Loughborough University, UK
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DegreeB.Mgt., Information Management and Information Systems, Hefei University of Technology, China
Dr. Mimi Zhang is an adjunct faculty for the College of IST. Her primary areas of research and teaching interests are data science, web analytics, and technology industry.
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