Curriculum
Why should I choose Purdue?
Purdue's applied, career-focused online curriculum is designed to give you skills, tools and methods that you can use in your career immediately. In our program, you'll take courses with other accomplished professionals, work with expert Purdue faculty who are at the top of their respective fields and learn by doing. After graduation, you'll be ready to hit the ground running with a degree from a university that's globally renowned for the quality and rigor of our academic programs.
Can I earn certificates while completing this degree?
Yes. The program is designed with stackable certificate options that can be completed as part of the MS degree. This allows students to build focused skills in specific areas while progressing toward their master's degree.
Is this degree accredited?
There are two types of accreditation, institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, often referred to as "regional" accreditors, examine a college or university as a whole. Purdue University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA) since 1913. Our most recent accreditation information is available online.
How are the courses delivered?
As a Purdue graduate student you will be taking classes in an online environment. Instructors provide the material, lectures, tests and assignments that can be accessed at any time. Your lectures are not time restricted, meaning you don't need to be logged in to preview your course material at a specific time.
All of your course activities, assignments and exams must be completed by their respective due dates. You will need to view course lectures regularly to keep current. The typical lengths of our courses are 8 weeks per term.
What computer requirements are needed to take an online course?
Only internet access is needed. Any additional special software needed is provided to you once you are a Purdue student. These include Minitab, Matlab, Adobe Products, etc.
How will I be graded?
Students are graded based on their performance in class. The courses we offer online will have various methods for grading depending on the specific requirements for a given class. Students can expect to experience any combination of homework, graded exam, final project, group work or graded reports. Purdue Grading Scale
How many hours per week should I expect to dedicate to a course?
Plan to spend 3-5 hours per week of study time for each 3 credit-hour course. However, some courses won't require as much of your time, and others may require more.
How long will it take me to obtain a master's degree?
You can complete the master's degree in 1-5 years by taking either one or two course(s) per semester. How quickly you complete your degree depends on you, we have no “set time limits” on your online studies. We will be glad to advise and keep you on track to meet your goals. The Plan of Study outlines the required courses as well as when each course is offered.
What's the difference between an online MS and an on-campus MS?
Just the delivery method. The online MS consists of the same courses as the on-campus MS. The courses are taught by the same faculty as the on-campus program. The degree awarded does not mention online or on campus as a delivery method.
Admissions
Is the GRE or GMAT required?
No, the GRE or GMAT are not required. The Admission Committee reviews all other admission materials submitted to determine an admission decision. Please review the admission requirements before submitting your application.
Can I transfer any credits into the degree?
Yes, up to 12 graduate-level credit-hours are eligible for transfer if:
- they fit within the current curriculum,
- have not been used towards another awarded degree or certificate,
- received a B or better.
To have courses reviewed for transfer, we will need an official transcript, the course name/number you wish to transfer, and the course description. The Admissions Committee will then determine if the credits are applicable to the degree.
What if I don't have a GPA of 3.0 in my Baccalaureate, should I still apply?
Yes, we ask that you let us know so we can determine the best course of action. We understand that you've built a successful career as a professional, and there may have been special circumstances that affected your GPA. The Admissions Committee may suggest you be admitted conditionally- and we will explain any additional requirements you may need to meet. Your Statement of Purpose Essay is a great place to address any special circumstances surrounding your Baccalaureate GPA, such as a low GPA, and how you plan to convert these experiences into success as a graduate student.
What if my baccalaureate is in a field other than cybersecurity or computer science?
Applicants from related technical fields or those with relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply. The program is designed to build foundational cybersecurity knowledge while allowing students to develop more advanced skills as they progress. Students without a direct cybersecurity background may need to strengthen certain technical areas but can still be successful in the program.
What should be included in my Statement of Purpose?
The statement of purpose should be 300-500 words concerning your purpose for undertaking or continuing graduate study, your reasons for wanting to study at Purdue, and your research interests, professional plans and career goals. You also may explain any special circumstances applicable to your background and elaborate on your scholarly publications, awards, achievements, abilities and/or professional history.
Who should my Letter of Recommendations come from?
The best letters you can secure are those from a current/past employer, co-workers/colleagues, tutors and other mentors. Never ask family members or close friends.
What are the admission term application deadlines?
We have preferred deadlines for each term. We will work with you past the preferred deadline, but we only ask you keep us updated with your status.
Fall Semester: July 31
Spring Semester: November 30
Summer Semester: April 15
What happens after I apply?
The admission process starts when all admission requirements have been met. The process may take up to 1-2 weeks, depending on how many applicants are applying.
- Step 1 - Screening: confirming all minimum admission requirements are successfully met
- Step 2 - First Pass: first round of reviews with our department (includes a phone interview)
- Step 3 - Second Pass: remaining department faculty member determines and shares recommendation status to the Graduate School
- Step 4 - Final Recommendation: Graduate School reviews admission materials and determines admission status
- Step 5 - Decision: admission of recommendation determined and shared with the applicant
We will also be with you every step of the way.
Additional Information
Are there any available scholarships?
Purdue Polytechnic Institute does not offer any scholarships for the online MS. There are a number of financial assistance options to help defray the costs of enrolling in a graduate professional program. These include Stafford loans, graduate PLUS loans, military programs, and loans from private lenders. Through myPurdue, you can monitor your financial aid funding and make sure the proper payments are made in a timely fashion.
Do you assist with job placement?
We work with the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) for any career related services.
What academic resources are available to online students?
The same academic resources are available to both the online and on-campus Purdue students.