The USF MS in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is one of the world’s most critical and fastest-growing fields. Professionals in this area defend systems, data, and infrastructure from malicious attacks.
The USF Master of Science in Cybersecurity prepares students for either advanced PhD-level research or for leadership roles in industry. Graduates understand a broad spectrum of threats, know how to assess system vulnerabilities, and can design and implement effective defenses against malicious cyberattacks that could cause damage and data loss.
Students explore the design, development, and operation of technologies and processes used to secure computing systems, networks and infrastructures. Through hands-on learning opportunities, students also gain expertise in software security, secure software development, hardware security design, cyberphysical systems security, Internet of Things (IoT) security, and social networks.
About the Program
This is an interdisciplinary degree and a joint collaboration between the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing and the USF College of Engineering. Students in the MS in Cybersecurity can earn the degree after completing 30 credit hours.
- All students complete three core courses, which include a technical and operational introduction to data/computer communication networks, an overview of cryptography and data security in engineering applications, and essential data structures.
- Students complete a minimum of five electives in areas such as cloud computing, mobile computing, AI and security, data analytics, and more.
Labs and Research
Research areas in cybersecurity span network and software security, secure development practices, hardware protections, IoT security, and cyber-physical system defense. All students benefit from hands-on learning, direct access to faculty, and opportunities to contribute to one of 25+ research labs and mentorship from faculty who are shaping the future of cybersecurity.
USF's AI, cybersecurity, and computing research is spread across USF, and it is marked by over 200 faculty experts who have externally funded projects, published papers, or have patents on these topics. Together, they had a substantial $47 million in related research expenditures over the past four years. Labs are clustered in the following groups:
Career Outlook
Professionals with a master's degree in cybersecurity are in demand nationwide and across Florida. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is skyrocketing, with tens of thousands of job postings requiring a master’s degree and offering six-figure salaries.
In the United States overall, the demand is even more significant:
- More than 394,000 job postings over the past year for roles requiring this degree
- An average advertised salary of $118,482
In Florida, there were:
- 18,659 job postings in the past year requiring a master’s degree in cybersecurity
- An average advertised salary of $102,896
Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 35% job growth for information security roles through 2033, with a median salary of $120,000.
Tampa Bay is one of Florida’s fastest-growing tech hubs, with employers like ReliaQuest, Rapid7, Cisco, and government agencies actively hiring USF grads for internships and full-time roles.
Source: Gray Decision Intelligence / Lightcast, May 2025Student Spotlight
USF cybersecurity students bring passion and purpose to a field that defends digital systems and protects society. Their research ranges from securing smart cities to defending against ransomware and supply chain attacks. USF’s MS in Cybersecurity is filled with students like Wasem Albaba, who spearheaded USF’s Whitehatters club in 2022 and later helped establish USF’s CyberHerd, a cybersecurity competition team that placed in several national competitions.
Scholarships and Fellowships
Graduate school is expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to earn scholarships and fellowships, which don’t need to be repaid. Learn more about the kinds of awards available, if you qualify and how to apply.
There are also a limited number of teaching assistant and research assistant positions in the college. These are quite competitive.