Master of Science in Cybercrime (MS)

Description

University of Detroit Mercy’s Master of Science in Cybercrime combines criminal justice studies with focused aspects of cybersecurity to provide a deeper understanding of digital forensics, cyber defense operations and computer networking for those coming from law enforcement, legal and private sector operational security backgrounds. This fully online 30-credit-hour program can be completed in two years.

The Master of Science in Cybercrime is housed in Detroit Mercy’s Department of Criminal Justice. Instruction is delivered via synchronous and asynchronous courses and may include video lectures and presentations, practice-based exercises and teaching modules. Courses focus on criminal investigations, intelligence analysis, terror threats and cyber criminology to prepare students to professionally and ethically function in the operational areas of cybercrime prevention, detection, response and investigations across all impacted sectors.

Critical Need

Internet-based crime is one of the fastest-growing security threats in the United States. The proliferation of crime perpetuated using the Internet and technology requires individuals to have both knowledge and capabilities in criminal justice and the technical abilities of cybersecurity to identify, respond and effectively handle data and countermeasures necessary to assist in the prosecution of cybercriminals.

Commitment to High Standards

The program is aligned with both the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s national cybersecurity strategies. In addition, to ensure the highest standards of quality, several sources were referenced for curriculum design including the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Education for Justice (E4J) Initiative and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Unique Approach

Detroit Mercy’s Master of Science in Cybercrime utilizes a unique approach with interdisciplinary collaboration between the University’s Department of Criminal Justice and Department of Cybersecurity & Information Systems.

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    Degree Requirements - Master of Science in Cybercrime (30 credits)

    This program is available online only.

    Required Courses

    • CIS 5570 Networks (3 credits)
    • CYBE 5730 Cyberlaw (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5100 Contemporary Aspects of Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5200 Digital Forensics Criminal Investigations (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5300 Cyber Risk Management (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5400 Contemporary Study and Research in Cyber Criminology (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5465 Contemporary and Critical Issues in Cybercrime (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5550 Contemporary Issues in Cyber Intelligence Techniques and Practices (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5560 Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Threats, and Information Assurance (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5770 Cyber Defense Operations (3 credits)

    Total credits: 30 credit hours

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    Curriculum Plan

    Catalog Year Course Rotation

    Year 1
    Fall

    • CYCR 5100 Contemporary Aspects of Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5200 Digital Forensics Criminal Investigations (3 credits)

    Winter

    • CYCR 5300 Cyber Risk Management (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5770 Cyber Defense Operations (3 credits)

    Summer

    • CYCR 5550 Contemporary Issues in Cyber Intelligence Techniques and Practices (3 credits)

    Year 2
    Fall

    • CYBE 5730 Cyberlaw (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5560 Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Threats, and Information Assurance (3 credits)

    Winter

    • CIS 5570 Networks (3 credits)
    • CYCR 5465 Contemporary and Critical Issues in Cybercrime (3 credits)

    Summer

    • CYCR 5400 Contemporary Study and Research in Cyber Criminology (3 credits)
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    Program Structure

    Students who enroll full-time can complete the program in two years by taking two courses in the fall and winter terms, and one course during both summer terms. Students can begin the program in the fall or winter terms.

    All coursework will require students to learn tools of the disciplines and complete all course assignments and projects, which will be graded by faculty with the express intent of ensuring high-quality work.

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    Learning Outcomes

    Learning outcomes will be assessed through use of hands-on, experiential learning technical lab assignments, exams, service-learning assignments, individual and group projects, written reports and a comprehensive research project that will require students to demonstrate the cumulative knowledge, skills and abilities learned throughout the program.

    1. Possess the capacity to evaluate, develop, and implement a legally sufficient and technology-based solution(s) to address cybercrime requirements in the context of the disciplinary standards of criminal justice, cybersecurity and digital forensics.

    2. Have the ability to identify an emerging cybercrime threat, then analyze, develop and implement an appropriate law enforcement response and technology-based solution, focused on prevention, response, mitigation and resolution.

    3. Demonstrate the ability to apply law enforcement and cybersecurity principles and practices in both the physical and cyberspace environments, while recognizing the human, social and economic impacts of the cybercrime threat.

    4. Demonstrate the capacity to analyze and evaluate cybercrime threats with respect to developing, implementing and maintaining best operational practices in order to address the presence of risks and threats.

    5. Develop critical thinking skills, analytic competencies, problem solving and professional abilities to be proficient in the arena related to prevention, mitigation, enforcement, investigation and prosecution of cybercrime.

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    Admission Requirements

    Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and must have demonstrated intellectual competence for graduate study. Selection is based on such factors as previous academic records (expected 3.0 GPA) and/or relevant experience. Acceptance on probationary status is allowed in some cases where academic standards are not fully met but competence has been indicated by the level of the applicant’s professional advancement.

    How to Apply

    Apply using Detroit Mercy's online portal at udmercy.edu/apply. That will create your account to which you can upload all of your application materials. If you need to mail your documents, please send them to:

    Graduate Admissions Office
    University of Detroit Mercy
    4001 W. McNichols Road
    Student Union, First Floor
    Detroit, MI 48221-3038
    admissions@udmercy.edu

    Applicants must:

    • Submit all transcripts from previous schools
    • Submit a statement of purpose
    • Submit three letters of recommendation
    • Submit a resume

    Note: Applicants do not need to submit GRE scores as part of the application requirements. If scores are submitted they will be reviewed as part of the admission review process.

Program Contact Information

Charles Wilson
Associate Professor and Program Advisor
Department of Criminal Justice
Briggs Building, Room 225
McNichols Campus

Email: wilsonce@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-578-0364
Fax: 313-993-1166

Erick Barnes
Lecturer and Chair
Department of Criminal Justice
Briggs Building, Room 221
McNichols Campus

Email: barnese@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-578-0363
Fax: 313-993-1166