Program Overview
The MSCBA program (formerly MS-ISA) is a 33-hour fully online program that examines issues surrounding the impact of information security and security risks to business and government, and is taught in an application-oriented manner with case studies and examples, while also building the foundation for the most widely-used analytics tools and techniques. The program is targeted for students with a degree in: Business, Accounting, Computer Science (CS) or computer-related Engineering, or Information Systems (IS). Students in other STEM majors may be considered if they have taken some basic IS or CS-related courses.
Why should you study Cybersecurity and Business Analytics at the master's level?
- Knowledge and skill requirements for higher-paying upper-level jobs exceed the content of most undergraduate degree programs.
- Graduates are in short supply - you can choose from many jobs with excellent pay and benefits.
- Graduates have diverse educational backgrounds including accounting, computer science, engineering, and information technology.
- IS and IA are rapidly-changing fields - you'll constantly update your skills and you'll never be bored.
- IS and IA graduates make a difference - you'll manage and protect computer systems, data, networks, people, and the nation.
Demand for IS and IA skills is strong due to organizations' dependence on information technology and the need to secure information systems and data. Types of firms and organizations that hire MS-CBA graduates include law enforcement, national labs, financial services, Fortune 500 companies, educational and healthcare organizations, and Federal, state, local, and tribal governments. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related accounting and auditing standards have also created many IA employment opportunities in the audit staffs of public accounting firms and private organizations.
| Quick Facts: Computer and Information Systems Managers | |
|---|---|
| 2019 Median Pay | $ 146,360 per year $ 70.37 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | 5 years or more |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2018 | 414,400 |
| Job Outlook, 2018-28 | 11% (Much faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2018-28 | 46,800 |
| Quick Facts: Information Security Analysts | |
|---|---|
| 2019 Median Pay | $ 99,730 per year $ 47.95 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | Less than 5 years |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2018 | 112,300 |
| Job Outlook, 2018-28 | 32% (Much faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2018-28 | 35,500 |
Application Deadlines (beginning with the Fall 2021 cycle):
- First Half Fall: July 15
- Second Half Fall: September 15
- First Half Spring: December 1
- Second Half Spring: February 15
- Summer: May 1
Entering MS-CBA Class Averages (Spring 2021 Incoming Class)
GRE Average
GMAT Average
Women Students
Minority Students
Learning Goals
Goal 1: Have fundamental knowledge in cybersecurity and business analytics.
1.1: Students will demonstrate an understanding of core concepts related to cybersecurity and business analytics in both technical and management domains.
Goal 2: Have analytical skills necessary to identify and analyze issues related to cybersecurity and managerial decision-making.
2.1: Students will be able to critically identify and analyze cybersecurity issues.
2.2: Students will be able to critically analyze data in order to identify business problems and support managerial decision-making.
Goal 3: Have the technical skills in cybersecurity and business analytics necessary to solve business problems.
3.1: Students will be able to design effective technical solutions that address issues across various business domains.
3.2: Students will be able to build and implement technical solutions for business problems.
Program Details
Tuition and Fees
Total cost per credit hour is $603.40 and is comprised of: $415.66 base tuition + $187.74 college differential. There is a student technology fee charged each semester. It is $150 in the Fall, $150 in the Spring, and $20 in the Summer. There may be additional costs, depending on the class. Additional costs are often for textbooks, supplemental course materials, and proctoring fees.
Fall 2021 Admission Process
The entrance exam requirement is waived for Fall 2021 admission cycles. Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be reviewed holistically based on resume, statement of intent and unofficial transcripts.
International applicants, please visit the Global Education Office for more information.
Admission Requirements
- Completed bachelor's degree.
- At least 30 credit hours of undergraduate or graduate courses in management, accounting, information systems, computer science, computer-related engineering, or a combination thereof.
- Basic programming knowledge required. Students must demonstrate this on the unofficial transcript. Courses at UNM that meet this requirement include: MGMT 330, ECE 131, CS 152.
- Proficiency in English language professional communication demonstrated by undergraduate courses, professional experience, or both. Students who lack proficiency may be admitted provisionally with completion of one or two undergraduate professional communication courses selected by the faculty advisor or admission committee in the first two semesters. The courses must be completed with grades of "B" or better.
Application Requirements
For a complete application, please submit all required materials.
Online Application
Complete the online application and pay the application fee. Be prepared to upload your resume, statement of intent and unofficial transcript(s).
Statement of Intent
Please write an essay explaining your reasons for seeking an advanced degree in business, as well as your personal qualities and experience that will benefit your professional colleagues in the program. Include any noteworthy achievements or additional information you wish to share with the Admission Committee.
Résumé
Please submit a current résumé detailing your work experience, management experience, and areas of responsibility.
Transcripts
Upload all unofficial transcripts (including from UNM) to the online application and send one official transcript from each institution attended (except for UNM) for domestic applicants. Send electronic transcripts to apply@unm.edu. Mailed transcripts must arrive enclosed in the original registrar's sealed envelope to the following address:
UNM Admissions
PO Box 4895
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895
Domestic applicants with foreign transcripts must have those transcripts evaluated, even if they are in English. This must be a course-by-course evaluation that shows the foreign education level of study in comparison to the U.S. education level of study and the US education equivalent cumulative GPA. We recommend the following credential evaluators. Education Credential Evaluators (https://www.ece.org); National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org/); World Education Services (http://www.wes.org/).
Entrance Exam
The entrance exam is currently waived through Fall 2021 admission cycle.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines for the first half of the Spring semester is December 1, and February 15 for the second half. The Summer deadline is May 1. For the Fall semester, July 15 is the deadline for the first half and it is September 15 for starting in the second half. The application fee is $60 for all applicants.
By the deadline, these checklist items are required:
- Online application submitted by 5:00 p.m.
- Application Fee
- The Entrance Exam (GMAT or GRE) must be taken on or before the posted deadline. If applicable, the GMAT/GRE waiver must be indicated on the application.
Questions? Email andersongrad@unm.edu.
Degree Requirements
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours | Semesters Offered (8 Weeks per Course) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGMT 401* | Introduction to Project Management | 3 | 1st half Fall, Spring |
| MGMT 501 | Data Driven Decision Making | 3 | 1st half Fall, Spring |
| MGMT 635 | Data Analytics | 3 | 2nd half Fall, Spring |
| MGMT 636 | Information Systems Security | 3 | 1st half Fall, Spring |
| MGMT 637 | Database Management Systems | 3 | 2nd half Fall, Spring |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours | Semesters Offered (8 Weeks per Course) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGMT 502 | Financial Accounting and Analysis | 3 | 2nd half Fall, Spring; Full Summer |
| MGMT 506 | Managing People in Organizations | 3 | 1st half Fall, Spring; Full Summer |
| MGMT 508 | Business and Society | 3 | Full Summer |
| MGMT 520 | Operations Management | 3 | 2nd half Fall, Spring; Full Summer |
| MGMT 522 | Managerial Marketing | 3 | 2nd half Fall, Spring; Full Summer |
| MGMT 526 | Financial Decision Making | 3 | 1st half Fall, Spring; Full Summer |
| Business Analytics Track | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours | Semesters Offered (8 Weeks per Course) |
| MGMT 533 | Analysis Tools for Managers | 3 | 2nd half Fall |
| MGMT 588 | Supply Chain Models and Strategy | 3 | 2nd half Spring |
| MGMT 645 | Data Mining | 3 | 1st half Fall |
| MGMT 660 | Text Mining and Sentiment Analysis | 3 | 1st half Spring |
| Cybersecurity Track | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours | Semesters Offered (8 Weeks per Course) |
| MGMT 646 | Digital Forensics | 3 | 1st half Fall, Spring |
| MGMT 647 | Systems and Network Administration | 3 | 1st half Fall, Spring |
| MGMT 648 | Advanced IS Security | 3 | 2nd half Fall, Spring |
| MGMT 662 | Security Risk Management | 3 | 2nd half Fall, Spring |
