Our Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) degree program combines theory with applied learning so that you can start using your new skills even before you graduate. The program is designed to meet the high demand for information security professionals in government, corporations, and industry.

Options for Information Assurance Specialization
The Walsh MSIA allows students to choose a specialization that fits their professional goals. 

• If your undergraduate work was in accounting or finance, you may wish to pursue the audit track and prepare for the CISA certification offered by the ISACA
• If you wish to focus your career in law enforcement, you will find the digital forensics track will meet your needs
• If you are an executive or high-level manager who makes key information assurance decisions, you may prefer the chief information security officer track

Walsh Information Assurance Center
The Walsh Information Assurance Center serves companies and organizations and provides student projects.

Program Format
The MSIA foundation courses can be taken at Walsh College or excluded, depending on your prior education, certifications and/or experience. If you have the CISA, CISM, CISSP, or CPP, you do not have to complete the foundation courses.

For admission to the program, you need to document your competency in one of the following ways:

• Possess an undergraduate degree in a computer-related field
• Provide documented competency in the area of computer security and a minimum of one of the following certifications: 
  • Security+ Certification
  • CIW Security Certification
  • Network+ Certification
  • Microsoft Certification (MCSA, MCSE)
  • Novell Certification (CNA, CNE, MCNE)
  • Cisco Certifications (CCNA, CCNE, CCIE) 
                                        OR 
• Provide a minimum of two years verifiable professional level full-time work experience in network design/development/administration or information assurance

                                                       OR

• Successfully complete BIT 525 Fundamentals of Networks and Telecommunications with a grade of "C" (2.000) or better

 

Foundation Courses (if required)

BIT 546    Information Systems Security BIT 571    Building an Information Protection Program BIT 572    Information Security Safeguards BIT 573    Information Systems Threat Assessment BIT 574    Cryptography

Core Courses

IA 500    Seminar on Public Sector Security Issues IA 510    Secure System Architecture and Design IA 520    Ethics and Legal Issues for Security Practitioners IA 530    Authentication Technologies and Standards IA 540    Intrusion Techniques and Defenses IA 545    Physical Security IA 547    Seminar on Business Continuity Planning IA 590    Information Assurance Capstone

Specializations

Compliance, Governance Audit Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Digital Forensics