MS CIO Admissions & Cost

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Thank you for your interest in applying for admission to the Master of Science in Cyber and Information Operations, offered fully online.

Prospective students are required to submit application materials directly to the University of Arizona Graduate College. Please read the information below and then submit your application prior to the appropriate deadline:

Application Deadlines

Arizona Online

Spring Semester

  • September 1 (With Dept. Funding Consideration)
  • November 16 (Without Dept. Funding Consideration)
  • International: August 1

Summer

  • March 1

Fall Semester

  • February 1 (Funding Consideration Deadline)
  • May 11 (Domestic and International without Funding Consideration) 

Program Cost

Online Campus Tuition & Fees

Per unit
$750/unit + $53 program fees for 7+ units*
$6,803 for 9 units*

* Tuition, fees and other costs subject to change. Check the University of Arizona Tuition Calculator for exact tuition and fees based on your situation.

How to Apply

Application Steps

To apply, you must complete the University of Arizona Graduate College online application. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a GradApp account
  2. Complete your GradApp profile under “My Account”.
  3. Select “Apply to a Program” from the sidebar.
  4. Choose “Arizona Online” as the campus. (Note: location will default to “Online”.)
  5. Choose “Degree Seeking” for program category and “Cyber & Information Operations (MS)” under program of study.
  6. Choose the semester during which you wish to enter the program.

  7. Your application should now be initiated under “My Active Applications.”

     

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Admission Requirements

This program is available to domestic and international students through the Arizona Online campus.

Admission will be based on an evaluation of your potential to become successful in the MS CIO program. We consider prior coursework and grades, letters of recommendation and research/artistic/professional products such as papers and substantive works.

To be admitted you must have:

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
  • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • See additional requirements for international applicants
  • A GRE is not required. You may still submit one if you choose to.

We admit applicants from a variety of different backgrounds. Students aren’t required to have experience in cybersecurity, computer science or programming languages to be admitted to the MS CIO, although that experience will make for an easier transition into the program. 

If an applicant has not completed recent programming coursework (preferably Python) or have recent programming experience (within 3 years), they will be required to take CYBV 500: Security Programming in their first semester. Students may also attempt the Python Challenge, an internal Python skills assessment, to avoid having to take CYBV 500.

Application Checklist

You are required to submit the following materials as part of your online application. Your application will not be processed until all required information is received.

1. Academic Statement of Purpose

Write a 750- to 1,000-word Statement of Purpose indicating why you are interested in the program and what skills and experience you have that will make you a successful candidate for the degree. Learn more about the Statement of Purpose.

2. Transcripts

Upload unofficial transcripts from ALL higher educational institutions attended as part of the online application. (Please note that unofficial transcripts are needed from each individual institution even if they are listed on the final transcript where the degree was issued.)

Official e-transcripts can be sent to transcripts@grad.arizona.edu directly from the institution. Official transcripts can be requested after the Graduate College has provided requirements in their letter once admission has occurred.

3. English Language Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language. Please check our English Requirement list to verify your need to submit an English proficiency test. These tests must be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.

Acceptable English Proficiency tests are: 

Those exempt from submitting English proficiency scores are:

  • Applicants from countries where English is the official language.
  • Applicants who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country. Degree must not be older than 2 years from the term of enrollment.
  • Applicants who have completed 2 years of full-time academic study must have 48 upper division, graded undergraduate semester units or 30 graded, graduate semester units.

Upload your unofficial TOEFL scores as part of the online application. You must also submit official scores through ETS using institution code 4832.

4. Letter of Recommendation

Provide email address and contact information for one recommender in the ‘Letters of Recommendation’ section of the online application. The letter of recommendation must be received prior to the deadline for applications to be reviewed.

5. Resumé/CV

Upload a current resumé or curriculum vitae (CV) as part of the online application in the ‘Supplemental Questions’ section.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, contact us at infosci-grad@arizona.edu.

Are you ready to excel in the high-demand field of cybersecurity?

If so, you're ready to apply to the University of Arizona Master of Science in Cyber and Information Operations program in the College of Information Science:

Apply Now