Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
	University of Maryland University College Proposal	Master of Science	Cyber Operations	10/14/2017	Approved	10/23/2017
Cyber Operations Program Description
The purpose of restructuring the curriculum to create a freestanding M.S. in Cyber Operations is to 1) strengthen the curriculum and better align it with the needs of employers via competency- based teaching and learning approaches and 2) clarify the content of the degree and simplify the pathway to completion so that it can be more readily communicated to prospective and current students and employers. <br> <br>The revised program structure benefits students and employers by more clearly focusing the content on Information Assurance and Cyber Operations. As a result, UMUC will be better able to differentiate the degree from others within its portfolio of offerings and ensure the currency and relevancy of the curriculum relative to current workforce and employer demands. <br> <br>The proposed M.S. in Cyber Operations program is aimed at those with academic and/or professional backgrounds in hands-on computer sciences. The targeted audience includes early or mid-career individuals with experience in the military, public, or private sectors who desire to expand their knowledge and skill set in cybersecurity technologies in order to enhance their opportunities for special operations in cyber space. The revised M.S. in Cyber Operations is a highly technical program grounded in computer sciences. The M.S. program is being designed to meet the requirements of NSA Centers of Excellence in Cyber Operations, and is in support of the President's National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). The emphasis of the program is on technologies and techniques related to operations in cyber space to enhance the security of our nation. <br>