Concordia University, Nebraska (www.cune.edu) has launched a Master of Science in Computer Science program, providing an innovative online graduate experience in computer science. A custom-designed concentration in cyber operations has been developed to complement the program, addressing the increasing demand to defend against the international tide of cyber security crimes frequently reported in the news.

Concordia’s fully online master’s degree will help students develop expertise in many areas, including reverse-engineering malware, a specialized skill that is in great demand by governmental, financial and high-tech organizations. Classwork is lab-based and includes computer science theory coupled with comprehensive training in methods and techniques that have been used to exploit or can be used to defend against real-world attacks, such as the lessons learned from the recent Sony Pictures Entertainment hack.

Closely following the academic requirements stipulated by the National Security Agency (NSA) for designation as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Operations, Concordia’s graduate program provides a comprehensive and universally applicable computer science graduate education through its core curriculum. One of the program’s core courses has a focus in low-level programming, which leads into a subsequent course with specialized training in reverse-engineering malware to boost analysis skills.

The M.S. in Computer Science is a 30-credit online degree program, featuring a five-course core progression followed by five courses of cyber operations coursework. General information about the degree can be found at online.cune.edu/technology/masters/.

For more information on Concordia University, Nebraska visit www.cune.edu.