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The Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership (MCL) program at the University of Washington Tacoma develops leaders who can effectively identify and promote solutions that protect an organization's cyber systems. For professionals and military personnel with a technical background and work experience, this Master's degree will enhance technical and leadership skills for career advancement in the field of cybersecurity.
The MCL program leverages the resources of both the School of Engineering & Technology and the Milgard School of Business to create one of the most innovative graduate programs at UW Tacoma. By identifying, addressing, and promoting solutions for issues of information assurance and cybersecurity, MCL serves as an educational foundation for invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the state of Washington, giving graduates the path to success in in the cybersecurity field. You can play an important role.
If you'd like help preparing to apply for Summer Quarter 2025, the next start term, please schedule a prospective student appointment with your Graduate Prospective Student Advisor, Francis Nwagbara (stfranc@uw.edu), to discuss eligibility and required application materials, the application process, and/or the MCL program in general. No longer accepting 2024 applications. All seats in the cohort are filled. Summer 2025 applications will open on August 1, 2024. |
MCL Program Quick Facts
Total Credits | 40 quarter credits |
Start Term | Summer Quarter (late June) |
Degree Completion Timeline | 12 months (Summer 2024 - Spring 2025) |
Course Schedule | Full-time |
Course Delivery | In-person, on-campus |
Course Times | Saturdays only, AM and PM |
Pathway to Ph.D.
The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) offer a Security specialty in the Ph.D. in Engineering degree program. Through this partnership between UCCS and UW Tacoma, you can obtain the most advanced degree in cybersecurity. Program policies:
- Complete your UW Tacoma Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership degree with at least a 3.3 GPA
- Accept Direct admission into the UCCS Ph.D. in Engineering with a concentration in Security
- Apply as many as 21 semester credits from UW Tacoma to the Ph.D.
- Students with CISSP and Research credits can take advantage of additional program waivers
For more details about the Ph.D. pathway, please contact: Dr. Yan Bai at yanb@uw.edu
NSF CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS)
Through a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant designed to strengthen the cadre of information assurance professionals who protect the government’s critical information infrastructure, SET is able to offer an annual stipend of $37,000 for graduate students interested in studying information assurance and cybersecurity.
CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) scholars receive support for one or three years, depending on their academic pathway.
To learn more about scholarships:
STEM-Designated Program
The Master's of Cybersecurity and Leadership is a STEM-designated graduate program (CIP 11.1003, DHS STEM list). F-1 visa students are eligible for 1 year of OPT plus the 2-year OPT-STEM extension. Please contact the International Student and Scholar Services Office (uwtiss@uw.edu) with questions about eligibility.
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If you'd like help preparing to apply for Summer Quarter 2025, the next start term, please schedule a prospective student appointment with your Graduate Prospective Student Advisor, Francis Nwagbara (stfranc@uw.edu), to discuss eligibility and required application materials, the application process, and/or the MCL program in general. No longer accepting 2024 applications. All seats in the cohort are filled. Summer 2025 applications will open on August 1, 2024. |
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 required.
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 and/or certification in an applicable credential (CISSP, CompTIA, or AWS).
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
At least two (2) years of relevant full-time professional work experience in the technology industry and/or in managerial, supervisory, or leadership roles required. Military personnel are also eligible.
Candidates missing one or more of these prerequisites may be denied admission.
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. 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.
If you'd like help preparing to apply for Summer Quarter 2025, the next start term, please schedule a prospective student appointment with your Graduate Prospective Student Advisor, Francis Nwagbara (stfranc@uw.edu), to discuss eligibility and required application materials, the application process, and/or the MCL program in general. No longer accepting 2024 applications. All seats in the cohort are filled. Summer 2025 applications will open on August 1, 2024. |
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 (MCL) is a non-thesis, forty (40) quarter credit-hour, cohort-based program. The curriculum is dually taught between faculty from the School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and the Milgard School of Business (MSB). The technically-oriented curriculum focuses on understanding the basic operations and functionality of cybersecurity systems and information assurance. This is complimented by a more behaviorally-oriented curriculum that emphasizes the management of technical professionals and organizational leadership.
Cadence
Ten (10) required courses are offered sequentially over four consecutive academic quarters – or twelve (12) months. A Cybersecurity Technology course from SET and a Business course from MSB, are delivered concurrently over Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters. totaling eight (8) courses. Another two (2) required capstone courses are offered for both Winter and Spring Quarters. These courses set the foundation for completing the team-based capstone projects by the conclusion of the program.
Classes are offered once per week on Saturday mornings and afternoons.
Courses (2024-2025)
Summer
TCSL 550 Networking and Internet Security (5 credits)
TCSL 520 Business Essentials (5 credits)
Autumn
TCSL 510 Principles of Cybersecurity (5 credits)
TCSL 580 Project Management (5 credits)
Winter
TCSL 530 Designing and Executing Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Strategies (4 credits)
TCSL 540 Leadership and Team Dynamics (4 credits)
TCSL 591 Master's Capstone Project I (2 credits)
Spring
TCSL 570 Cybersecurity Management (4 credits)
TCSL 560 Organizational Change and Strategy (4 credits)
TCSL 592 Master's Capstone Project II (2 credits)
Substitute a course with independent study or research
Students may submit a Graduate Course Registration Form to be allowed to use TCSL 600 Independent Study or Research at UWT as a substitute for one of the 8 non-capstone 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. You can find the required form (with details on the proposal process) here.
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 2024-2025:
Total program cost: $22,272
Two courses each quarter: $5,568
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!
If you'd like help preparing to apply for Summer Quarter 2025, the next start term, please schedule a prospective student appointment with your Graduate Prospective Student Advisor, Francis Nwagbara (stfranc@uw.edu), to discuss eligibility and required application materials, the application process, and/or the MCL program in general. No longer accepting 2024 applications. All seats in the cohort are filled. Summer 2025 applications will open on August 1, 2024. |
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Alumna Profile: Thnwa Ahmed
Thnwa Ahmed (Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership, '20) says the MCL program helped her stretch beyond a technical understanding of cybersecurity, analytics and reporting. “When I went to the master's program, I learned that it's not only about being technical, it's about your leadership skills and your communication."
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Alumnus Profile: Sameer Puri
Sameer Puri (Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership, '14) says the MCL program was the stepping stone for his career in Information Security. “My days were long and nights were short but the program was rewarding for me. I learned about development, implementation, operation, and management of cybersecurity systems. I also learned technical skills with management and leadership skills in organizations.”
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10 Year Anniversary MCL
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the 10 Year Anniversary of Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership (MCL) celebration. It was a truly wonderful afternoon to reflect on the achievements of the past decade.
We deeply appreciate the invaluable contributions of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, all of whom have played a crucial role in the program’s success.
Please enjoy the photos from the event, available through the link below.
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Questions?
- Francis Nwagbara - Graduate Recruiter
- Victoria Olive - Graduate Program Advisor
Want more information about MCL, need help with your application, or just want to get in contact with us? Fill out this brief Prospective Student contact form, and your Graduate Recruiter will reach out to you within 1 - 3 days.
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