Khoury College of Computer Sciences

Cybersecurity — Align

Master's: Boston, MA
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Certificate : Boston, MA
Master's : Boston, MA
Master's : Online
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Join one of the best cybersecurity graduate programs for nonmajors and earn your degree in 2.5–3 years. No matter your background, the Align Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Northeastern University’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences provides you with the necessary computer science foundation to pivot to the burgeoning cybersecurity industry.

After completing two semesters of graduate bridge courses, you'll continue on in the cybersecurity master’s program, taking technical and contextual courses that prepare you to assess and manage information security risks. A capstone project and a paid, full-time four-to-eight-month co-op/internship proves your mastery and gives you applied experience. 

Boston, MA
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
2.5–3 Years
Duration of Program
Fall, Spring
Entry Terms
Yes *
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
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Overview

You don’t need a background in tech to have a future in it

Align students come from 150+ disciplines. These diverse backgrounds paired with the uniquely supportive Align program help students transition seamlessly to the interdisciplinary coursework required for cybersecurity, including law, forensics, criminology, social sciences, policy, and management. 

  • Flexible pathway in a supportive learning environment, with full-time and part-time options, as well as online options after you complete the two-semester bridge
  • Talented faculty who love teaching newcomers to tech
  • Opportunity for full-time, paid co-op or internship 
  • Academic and career advisors to guide you through the program to a satisfying career

Where research and tech converge

Boston is one of the best college towns in America, as well as a hub for healthcare, education, finance, business, biotechnology, and the life sciences. There are many opportunities to conduct research and participate in co-ops or internships.

Home to more than 200 cyber companies and 160+ AI companies, Boston is a rich employment market. Healthcare is a particular focus here, with leading research hospitals interested in using AI, robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to address medical challenges safely and securely.

Experiential learning drives impressive career outcomes

Program graduates are in demand by Khoury College’s 700+ industry partners. Graduates work in some of the most competitive tech companies in the country—including Raytheon, Rapid7, and Amazon.

  • Boston ranked in the top 10 for tech talent in North America since 2019 (CBRE)
  • $132,135 average annual salary for cybersecurity positions in Boston (ZipRecruiter, 2023)
  • Positions such as cybersecurity master or online cybersecurity consultant can pay even more in Boston—up to 16.1% more (ZipRecruiter, 2023)

Boston Campus

More Details

Unique Features

  • Master’s program is offered full time or part time, and even online after you complete the two-semester bridge
  • Dynamic cohort of interdisciplinary peers from 150+ majors like political science, criminal justice, and pre-law
  • Full-time, paid internship or co-op at one of Khoury College’s 700+ industry partners like Wayfair, Amazon/AWS, and Google
  • Capstone project with companies like Rapid7, MITRE, Partners Healthcare, Fidelity, and Raytheon
  • Job titles of recent graduates include cyber risk analyst, cloud security engineer, chief information security officer, and cybersecurity compliance officer
  • Team of faculty and advisors track your progress 

Career Outlook

The cyber industry is booming

Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand areas of expertise worldwide with an estimated 3.5 million jobs projected by 2025 (Cybercrime Magazine). The Align program prepares you to meet that demand and leverage your experience.

  • 0% unemployment rate for cybersecurity since 2016 in the U.S. (Cybercrime Magazine)
  • 63% of surveyed enterprises have unfilled cybersecurity jobs (State of Cybersecurity 2022, ISACA)
  • High demand for U.S. citizens due to security clearance necessary to work in government

Curriculum

Geared toward recent graduates and professionals with non-computer science backgrounds, this interdisciplinary program gives you technical and contextual skills. 

  • Two bridge semesters
  • Two courses in technical areas 
  • Two courses in contextual areas
  • Either technical or contextual electives
  • Optional qualifications like the concentration in criminology or graduate certificate in engineering leadership

Full Curriculum

 

Testimonials

"What interested me the most in the Align program was the co-op program and the ability to transition from other fields into computer science. There are a lot of resources to help students succeed. For the future, I am most interested in cybersecurity as I really like puzzles."

—Alice, MS in Cybersecurity ’24

Looking for something different?

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$74K *
Tuition

Financial Support Can include full-time co-op/internship, TA/tutor position, Federal Student Aid, scholarships, and Scholarship for Service for students from other fields.

Check Costs per Credit This program is a total of 36–44 credits. 

Requirements

  • Online application and application fee
  • PDF or scanned copies of unofficial undergraduate transcripts; you can submit official transcripts from colleges/universities attended at the time of admission
  • Statement of purpose that should include career goals and expected outcomes and benefits from the program
  • Recent professional resumé listing detailed position responsibilities
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GPA minimums: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, 8.0 on a 10.0 scale, or 80 on a 100 scale
  • Official TOEFL (100 minimum) or IELTS (7.5 minimum) examination scores (international students only)
  • GRE Optional

Questions?: [email protected]

View full application instructions.

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Global Engagement Learn how our teaching and research benefit from a worldwide network of students, faculty, and industry partners.

Admissions Dates

Fall
International Students: May 6
Domestic students: August 1
Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

Northeastern is ranked #1 for co-ops and internships by U.S. News & World Report. This proven co-op program helps graduates of Khoury College’s Align program achieve strong career outcomes. 

You will gain valuable experience working to solve real-world problems for Boston-area companies like Recorded Future, RSA, CyberSaint Security, or Mimecast. Boston is home to unique area resources including MITRE, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, The Advanced Cyber Security Center, and MassCyberCenter.

More About Experiential Learning

Networking opportunities

Seminars provide exposure to computer science and cybersecurity experts in the field. Khoury College’s graduates get jobs on graduation, often from co-op, internship, or capstone partners. After graduation, you’ll join a network of 10,000+ accomplished Khoury alumni.

Faculty

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

World-class cyber tech leaders

Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Operations by the Department of Defense and National Security Agency and home to the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute, Northeastern boasts faculty who are at the forefront of cybersecurity research, policy, and practice.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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