Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management

The purpose of this certificate is to provide students with a broad understanding of concepts and principles that will support management of organizations with cybersecurity concerns. The certificate will prepare students to plan, manage, and assess cyber technologies needed to secure critical corporate data and information. The emphasis will be on operational design, technology acquisition, risk assessment, and governance.  

Learning Outcomes: Students who complete this certificate will be able to

• Craft corporate and business level understanding of the role of the leader in crafting corporate and business strategies where technology provides the basis for the firm’s competitive advantage.

• Develop an entrepreneurial plan for a technology start-up business.

• Apply various business tools and strategies in managing a tech-based organization.

• Examine risks posed by cyber threats to individuals, organizations, and society.

• Critique prevailing national and international strategies for protecting cyberspace.

The target audience is professionals in organizations or fields that would benefit from cybersecurity management and would pursue the certification for job knowledge and career enhancement. Those students will be admitted as non-degree seeking, MIT-Commonwealth students.

We also expect graduate students, full- or part-time and currently enrolled in a VT graduate degree program related to cybersecurity management, to be interested in adding this certification as a supplement to their degree.

How To Apply:

External applications should complete the VT-MIT online application as a certificate-seeking student at https://vtmit.vt.edu/admissions/apply-now.html

MIT Graduate Certificates

Admission Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management

Virginia Tech requires admission to the Graduate School and completion of a Graduate Certificate Application for both degree- and non-degree seeking certificate applicants. 

Degree-seeking applicants: The Graduate School requires completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or greater for admission to Certificate Status. MIT applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 may qualify for Commonwealth Campus admission and will need to comply with MIT requirements of Commonwealth Campus status prior to admission to Certificate Status. Students pursuing a degree and a certificate simultaneously are classified within their degree program.

For students interested in pursuing both the MIT degree and the certificate(s), no more than fifty percent of certificate courses will be included toward completion of the MIT degree. 

Non-degree seeking applicants: Applicants that wish to obtain a graduate certificate only, without being enrolled in a VT degree program, may apply by completing an abbreviated application to MIT's Certificate program. The Graduate Certificate Application Form is required after admission.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Earn a GPA of 3.0 or greater or credits earned during the last half of their undergraduate degree.

• Submit official transcripts.

• Meet the academic background requirements of the admitting academic unit.

• International Applicants must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

• Earn a minimum TOEFL score of 577 paper-based (PBT) or 90 internet-based test (iBT). For the iBT, earn a minimum of 20 on each subject test (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing).

• Earn a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.

• Some departments have higher TOEFL or IELTS score requirements than those set by the Graduate School.

Course Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Management

Number of Credit Hours: 

A total of nine credit hours are required. Transfer credits are not permitted. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the designated courses.

Required Courses: 

ACIS 5624 Cybersecurity Governance and Risk Management: Cybersecurity governance and risk management program in organizations. Governance frameworks for cybersecurity and external drivers for cybersecurity. Risk management, including existing frameworks, principles, and strategies related to risk assessment and implementation of cybersecurity policies, controls and procedures. Budgeting and evaluation of risk management programs. Compliance with organizational cybersecurity programs, including risks of insider threats, management of security-related personnel, and establishment of cyber hygiene. Cybersecurity in relation to cybersecurity regulation. 

BIT 5134 Cybersecurity Program Design and Operations: Broad coverage of the enterprise cybersecurity life-cycle. Design of a comprehensive and resilient enterprise cybersecurity program that aligns with the business objectives. Implementation and management of security operations. Security assessments and remediation of deficiencies. Security intelligence, analytics, and incident response. Measurement and communication of program effectiveness. 

MGT 5804 Strategic Leadership in Technology-Based Organizations: This course focuses on the role of the leader in crafting corporate and business strategies where technology provides the basis for the firm’s competitive advantage.