Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership

If you'd like help preparing to apply for Summer Quarter 2023, the next start term, please schedule a prospective student appointment with your Graduate Advisor, Victoria Olive (olivev@uw.edu), to discuss eligibility and required application materials, the application process, and/or the MCL program in general. You can schedule an appointment at: https://go.oncehub.com/techuwtgrad 

MCL applicants must provide evidence of the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA.

A degree in computer science or information technology is NOT required; however, applicants who can demonstrate knowledge of computer network technologies and computer programming language(s) are preferred. 

Technical proficiency in Networking can be demonstrated by providing documentation in at least one of the following areas.

• Education: An Introduction to Computer Networking course
• Professional Experience (at least a year, preferably four years) and/or certification in an applicable field such as network certification

Technical proficiency in Programming, demonstrated by providing documentation one of the following areas: 

• Education: Intro to programming course in Java, C#, C++, C, or Python
• Relevant work experience in programming

Candidates with two year's full-time work experience, IT managers, and military personnel are also preferred. 

Applicants must also meet the minimum admission requirements for the Graduate School at the University of Washington, as detailed in Understanding the Application Process.

GRE NO LONGER REQUIRED. The MCL program has approved making the former temporary GRE-test optional policy permanent, starting Summer Quarter 2023 and beyond. Submitting GRE scores is not required to complete the application, and students do not need to formally request a waiver. In the application, skip  the "Self-report GRE" section. 

Please reach out to your Graduate Advisor, Victoria Olive, if you need more clarification on this new policy. 

Summer 2023 Cohort is full

We are accepting spots on our waitlist, so you are still encouraged to apply if you are interested! Please contact Graduate Advisor Victoria Olive with any questions. 

If you'd like help preparing to apply for Summer Quarter 2024, the next start term, please schedule a prospective student appointment with your Graduate Advisor, Victoria Olive (olivev@uw.edu), to discuss eligibility and required application materials, the application process, and/or the MCL program in general. 

GRE NO LONGER REQUIRED. The MCL program has approved making the former temporary GRE-test optional policy permanent, starting Summer Quarter 2023 and beyond. Submitting GRE scores is not required to complete the application, and students do not need to formally request a waiver. In the application, skip  the "Self-report GRE" section. 

Applications are accepted through the UW Graduate School. The process includes:

• Creating or updating your graduate applicant profile (one profile for all program applications)
• Making sure required documents have been submitted
• Paying the application fee
• The MCL application is built into the UW Graduate School application. This allows applicants to share additional information about their education, training, and work experience

For more details, see SET Graduate Program Application Process.

Additional application items

• Personal statement: Your personal statement should discuss your interest in cybersecurity and leadership 
• Resume: Please submit your most current resume online 
• Transcripts: Upload one transcript from each post-secondary school you have attended. The Graduate School will require an official transcript for degree verification after you have accepted an offer of admission 
• Coding Language & Networking Skills: Please describe where you acquired your knowledge of computer networking and programming. It might be from a college course, from work experience, or self-taught

The Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership is a non-thesis, 40 credit-hour cohort based program that balances a technically-oriented curriculum. Focus is on understanding the basic operations and functionality of cybersecurity systems and information assurance with a more behaviorally-oriented curriculum focused on the management of technical professionals and organizational leadership. Eight 5-credit courses will be offered over four quarters commencing in Summer quarter. Instruction will be held once a week on Saturdays. There will be 40 Saturdays over eleven months. 

MCL graduates leave with a practical understanding of operational cybersecurity, including the principles of data protection, network security, and information assurance, as well as the skills to manage technical professionals and lead strategic change in their organization. 

Cadence

Each quarter, students take two 5-credit courses. One course is be taught by the Milgard School of Business faculty and the other course is be taught through the School of Engineering and Technology.  These courses set the foundation for students to complete a team-based capstone project with a local organization in the final quarter of the program.

Instruction is held once a week on Saturdays; 40 Saturdays over eleven months. 

Courses (2022-2023)

Summer

TCSL 550               Networking and Internet Security
TCSL 520               Business Essentials

Autumn

TCSL 510               Principles of Cybersecurity
TCSL 580               Project Management

Winter

TCSL 530               Designing and Executing Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Strategies
TCSL 540               Leadership and Team Dynamics

Spring

TCSL 570               Cybersecurity Management
TCSL 560               Organizational Change and Strategy

Substitute a course with independent study or research

Students may submit a petition to be allowed to use TCSL 600 Independent Study or Research at UWT as a substitute for one of the 8 required courses in the Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership (MCL) program. TCSL 600 requires students to work independently exploring specific cybersecurity and leadership topics in greater depth. Students must develop a research proposal and make arrangements with a faculty member to supervise the project prior to course registration.

GRE NO LONGER REQUIRED. The MCL program has approved making the former temporary GRE-test optional policy permanent, starting Summer Quarter 2023 and beyond. Submitting GRE scores is not required to complete the application, and students do not need to formally request a waiver. In the application, skip  the "Self-report GRE" section. 

Please reach out to your Graduate Advisor, Victoria Olive, if you need more clarification on this new policy. 

MCL is a fee-based program; it has a different process for application, registration, and payment compared to the UW's more common tuition-based programs. Learn more about the UW's fee-based programs.

For 2022-2023:

Total program cost: $20,244
Per course: $2,525.50 
Tech fee: $40
Two courses each quarter: $5,051

Learning Objectives & Outcomes

MCL graduates leave with a practical understanding of operational cybersecurity, including the principles of data protection, network security, and information assurance, as well as the skills to manage technical professionals and lead strategic change in their organization.

Communication Skills

MCL graduates are effective interdisciplinary communicators who can integrate the technical aspects of cybersecurity with the strategic and managerial concerns of their organization.

• Are fluent in concepts and terminology appropriate for a leader in cybersecurity
• Able to communicate effectively orally and in writing in professional settings

Risk Management Skills

Graduates are diagnostic problem-solvers who can evaluate the information security needs and design strong cybersecurity capabilities for their organizations.

• Use risk assessment concepts and methodologies to determine proactive measures in protecting organizations from critical data exposure
• Able to evaluate a major cybersecurity event, evaluate the business impact, determine risk posture and develop effective responses

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills

Graduates are change-savvy managers who can effectively coordinate activities and lead individuals and teams.

• Understand how to launch and assess organizational change initiatives
• Understand how to effectively lead and manage teams
• Work effectively within an interdependent group to achieve common goals

Our MCL degree is in high demand, so it is recommend that you submit your application as early as possible. 

Your graduate advisor, Victoria Olive, is here to help at every step of the application process. This includes: 

• Resume review
• Personal statement - editing/revising, brainstorming, individualized feedback, etc. 
• Transcript reviews 
• Any support you need, Victoria is here to help!