MSIA Program Overview

Information Assurance from a management perspective

Program Mission

The Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) program provides students with a comprehensive exploration of the information security life cycle and its growing importance to an organization in achieving its strategic and tactical objectives. Knowledge and skills students gain from the program will enhance their capability as information security practitioners; will support their growth toward upper management and executive positions such as chief information security officer (CISOs) and chief risk managers; and will enable them to promote best practices through effective communication with C-level executives.

Program Goals

Graduates demonstrate mastery of: the fundamental attributes of information that must be protected; technical defenses; human factors supporting technical defenses; detection and response technologies and processes; policy development and implementation; ethical issues in information security; and the tools necessary to integrate security into the corporate culture.
Graduates are competent to assume leadership in information assurance.
Graduates demonstrate an interdisciplinary and comprehensive view of information assurance as a contributor to the strategic goals of their organization.
Graduates speak the language of management. They can bring together elements from throughout the organization for successful analysis, planning, and implementation of reasonable and cost-effective security architectures.
Graduates are able to communicate with both technical staff and C-level executives.
Graduates are service oriented and demonstrate skills needed to work effectively with the client base.
Graduates understand the technology underlying security and information assurance.

Additional Features

Unique Curriculum

Unlike many graduate level information security programs, Norwich's Master of Science in Information Assurance curriculum concentrates on the challenges facing management throughout the information security field, not just on software and technology. You will fully master the policies, procedures and structure of an organization-wide information security program, gaining expertise in both theory and practice. The enhanced skillset you acquire in every seminar will be immediately applicable to your present employment. Visit the Curriculum Overview for more information.

Academic Excellence

This master's program is a rigorous course of study. Some students report that they actually absorb information faster, feel a superior level of support and are more engaged online than they ever were in a traditional classroom. The curriculum and program structure combine the value of a traditional classroom environment with the flexibility required as a busy professional.

Faculty

The curriculum is developed by PhD's and taught by true leaders and innovators in the field — people who continue to make a difference. These professionals use their expertise and professional experience as teaching tools. Visit the Faculty page for more information.

Accreditation

Norwich University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Norwich is also designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a 'Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education'. This prestigious evaluation is based on stringent criteria and review, judged according to the standards and guidelines set by the Committee on National Security Systems.

Class Size

Small class sizes (not more than 16 students) ensure you receive individualized attention directly from faculty. You also develop close relationships with fellow learners from around the world as you interact with them creating a vast network of professional contacts.

Support

You are provided with 24/7 help desk support for technical issues within the online classroom, a uniquely designed curriculum structure, and a caring atmosphere that comes along with being part of Norwich University.

The Master of Science in Information Assurance is structured as follows:

Four start dates per year; March, June, September and December
Six, six-credit, eleven-week seminars
Complete all coursework in 18 months
Graduate 18-24 months from your enrollment date
Capstone residency experience
Case Study Project threaded throughout seminars 1-4 directly relates concepts of information assurance to your workplace
Online, highly experiential, asynchronous curricular activities including threaded discussions, reading, writing, and workplace-oriented assignments