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The Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) degree program combines theory with applied learning enabling security practitioners to be functional upon completing the degree. The program has been designed to meet the high demand for information assurance professionals in government, corporations and industry.

The Walsh MSIA allows students to choose a specialization that fits their professional goals. Students whose undergraduate work was in accounting or finance may wish to pursue the audit track and prepare for the CISA certification offered by the ISACA. Students who wish to focus their careers in law enforcement will find the digital forensics track will meet their needs. Executives and high level managers who plan to be information assurance decision-makers will prefer the rigorous chief information security officer track.  Click here to learn more about the Walsh Information Assurance Center which serves companies and organizations and provides student projects.

Program Format
To earn a Master of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) degree from Walsh College, students must complete 12 to 17 courses, totaling 36 to 51 credits, depending on prior course work. Advanced standing credit is not to exceed 12 semester credit hours and may be awarded towards the MSIA degree for equivalent, graduate course work completed at another institution; time limits may apply. A minimum of 24 hours must be taken in residence at Walsh College.

The MSIA foundation courses may be taken at Walsh College or excluded, depending on a student’s prior education, certifications and/or experience.  Individuals who have the CISA, CISM, CISSP, or CPP will be excluded from the foundation courses. 

MSIA Applicants must be able to document 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 526 Enterprise Network Architectures with a grade of "C" (2.000) or better.

 
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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
Audit
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Digital Forensics