Prospective Students
The Graduate InfoSec program at James Madison University is designed for working professionals. The program is delivered to students through the Internet without the frustration of commute and traffic to and from on-campus classrooms. JMU InfoSec provides professional development and research opportunities for those currently employed or interested in information security or infrastructure protection positions in both the government and private industry.
The program is attuned to the rapid advances in our information society and incorporates new technologies and laws into the program curriculum. Information Security is covered in every class as it relates to the course subject matter.
Typically, candidates have prior degrees in Computer Science or ample work experience in the field. Although programming is not used extensively, students are required to write programs in several courses. In order to succeed in the program, candidates must have skills in the following areas:
- C++ or Java
- Computer Architecture
- Data Structures
- Discrete Math
Depending on their backgrounds, students may be required to take one or more of these preparatory courses. These courses are offered online as preparatory courses by the JMU InfoSec program. Students may decide to take these courses at a local college or university, but prior approval is necessary. Although not required, many students take preparatory courses to refresh their basic computer science skills and knowledge.
Degree Requirements
The program is cohort-based, so all courses are offered in a prescribed sequence. All students in the cohort take the same two courses per semester. Students also are required to participate in weekly classroom discussions; work on group and individual projects; and deliver work by deadlines.
Each course is 3-credit hours. The program requires 33 credit hours of graduate coursework. Expect to complete the program in 5 semesters plus a summer course. A thesis is not required from students but is encouraged. Non-thesis students take a comprehensive exam in semester 4.
At the end of each semester, students must demonstrate course competency by completing final exams for each class, proctored at a professional testing center. Testing centers are located in metropolitan areas throughout the United States and around the world.