The M.S. in Cybersecurity and Public Policy at Tufts University is a 30-credit master’s program that prepares students to work at the intersection of technology, law, policy, and international affairs. The program combines technical and policy perspectives to help students understand how cybersecurity affects governments, organizations, civil society, privacy, national security, digital development, and global affairs.

Offered through the Department of Computer Science and The Fletcher School, the program is based on the Medford/Somerville campus and is offered in an on-campus format. Students may pursue the degree full time or part time, with an average completion time of 16 to 24 months.

Who is this Program For?

The M.S. in Cybersecurity and Public Policy is designed for students who want to help shape cybersecurity strategy, policy, governance, risk, privacy, or international cyber affairs. The program may be a strong fit for students with backgrounds in either technology or policy.

Applicants are encouraged to apply if they have a solid background in computer science or an undergraduate or advanced degree in a field such as economics, international relations, law, political science, or a related area. Before enrolling, students must have completed an introductory computer programming course that includes algorithmic thinking and data structures.

Prior to enrolling in the program, but not before applying, students must have taken an introductory course in computer programming. This is not an admissions requirement to be accepted into the program but is an entrance requirement‚ if a student is accepted into the program before they have taken an introductory course in computer programming, they must take the course before starting the program. The course can include programming in C++, Python, or Java, but should not be Javascript based. The course needs to teach not only programming, but also introduce algorithmic thinking and data structures. Examples of courses that meet this requirement can be found on the Cybersecurity and Public Policy program website in the FAQ section.

Application Requirements

Application Fee
Resume/CV
Personal Statement
Transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
Official TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo test scores (if applicable)
GRE scores not required
Portfolio (optional)

Apply Request Info

What Will You Study?

Students build an interdisciplinary foundation in cybersecurity and public policy while tailoring the program to their interests and professional goals. Students are not required to follow a single track to graduation. Instead, they may shape their coursework around interests such as cyber diplomacy, privacy, national security, global technology governance, digital rights, business risk, public-sector cybersecurity, or civil-society advocacy.

Coursework and electives may address topics such as:

Cybersecurity policy
International communication
Artificial intelligence, algorithms, ethics, and policy
Digital development
Intelligence and national security
Privacy and surveillance

Cyber risk and organizational resilience
Cyber conflict and international affairs
Sovereignty in a borderless digital environment
Communications law and technology
Secure systems and technical foundations of cybersecurity
Human-computer interaction and privacy protection

About the Cybersecurity and Public Policy Program

The M.S. in Cybersecurity and Public Policy is supported by Tufts’ Department of Computer Science and The Fletcher School. This interdisciplinary structure connects technical cybersecurity education with international affairs, law, diplomacy, policy, and global governance.

Students benefit from faculty expertise in areas such as cybersecurity policy, privacy, communications surveillance, programming infrastructure, telecommunications policy, secure systems, artificial intelligence, digital development, and international cyber conflict. The program also connects students with the Tufts Cybersecurity Center for the Public Good, the Edward R. Murrow Center for Global Diplomacy, and the Hitachi Center for Technology and International Affairs.

Why Study Cybersecurity and Public Policy at Tufts?

Technical and Policy Integration

The program is designed for students who want to bridge technical cybersecurity and public policy. Students learn to understand how digital systems work and how laws, institutions, governments, and organizations respond to cyber risk.

Cybersecurity for Public Good

Students benefit from the Tufts Cybersecurity Center for the Public Good, which connects cybersecurity education and research with civic, ethical, and societal concerns. This public-interest approach helps students examine how cybersecurity decisions affect people, institutions, civil society, and democratic systems.

Global Affairs Through The Fletcher School

The program’s connection with The Fletcher School gives students access to coursework and faculty expertise in international affairs, diplomacy, global security, digital development, and cyber conflict. This global perspective is especially valuable for students interested in national security, international policy, cyber diplomacy, or technology governance.

Flexible Interdisciplinary Pathways

Students can tailor the degree through electives across Computer Science, The Fletcher School, the International Relations Program, and the Department of Political Science. This flexibility allows students to align the program with interests such as privacy, surveillance, digital rights, secure systems, global technology policy, business risk, or public-sector cybersecurity.

What Can You Do With an M.S. in Cybersecurity and Public Policy?

Graduates may pursue policy, risk, governance, technical, or strategy-focused roles in areas such as cybersecurity policy, cyber risk, privacy, technology governance, national security, civil society advocacy, government, consulting, global private industry, threat analysis, public-sector cybersecurity, and international cyber affairs. Career outcomes vary based on a student’s background, focus area, technical experience, policy experience, internship or co-op experience, and professional goals.

Possible paths may include:

Cybersecurity policy analyst
Cyber risk analyst
Privacy analyst
Technology governance specialist
Cybersecurity consultant

Threat intelligence analyst
Public-sector cybersecurity specialist
Legislative or agency policy advisor
International cyber affairs analyst
Cybersecurity strategy analyst

What is the Career Outlook?

Cybersecurity and public policy skills are relevant across information security, technology policy, risk management, digital governance, national security, research, and advanced computing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts had a median annual wage of $124,910 in May 2024. Employment in this occupation is projected to grow 29 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

A digital key within a sphere of network nodes

Average Salary: $115,000+

Projected Job Growth (2024-2034): 29%

*Sources: Average salary and projected job growth statistics are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Can Cybersecurity and Public Policy Students Complete a Co-op?

Eligible students may have the opportunity to participate in the School of Engineering Graduate Cooperative Education Program. A co-op can allow students to apply graduate coursework to real-world technology, policy, cybersecurity, or risk-related work while building professional experience and connections.

Learn about the Graduate Cooperative Education Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What Background Do Applicants Need?

Applicants should have a background in either technology or policy. Students may come from fields such as computer science, economics, international relations, law, political science, or related areas.

Is Programming Experience Required?

Students must complete an introductory computer programming course before enrolling. This is not required before applying, but accepted students must complete the requirement before starting the program. The course should include programming, algorithmic thinking, and data structures, and may use languages such as C++, Python, or Java. Examples of courses that meet this requirement can be found on the Cybersecurity and Public Policy program website.

Are Scholarships Available?

The School of Engineering offers partial tuition scholarships for a select group of Engineering master’s and certificate programs. When you apply for admission, you’ll automatically be considered, there’s no separate scholarship application or additional information required. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration.

How Do I Apply?

Applicants can apply online through Tufts Graduate Admissions Portal. Required materials typically include transcripts, a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. International applicants may also need to submit English proficiency documentation. Visit the admissions page for current deadlines and application requirements.

Tuition & Financial Aid

At Tufts University, we believe every qualified applicant deserves the opportunity to pursue graduate study. We are dedicated to helping you understand your financial options and to ensuring that graduate education at Tufts is both accessible and within reach.

Tuition costs for this graduate program are billed at a per credit rate:

Estimated Tuition for MS Program
Tuition*	$1,799 per credit
Total Credits Required	30
Enrollment Status	Full-Time: 3-4 courses per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: 1-2 courses per semester (3-6 credits)
Estimated Tuition per Semester	Full-Time: $16,191 - $21,588 per semester (9-12 credits) Part-Time: $5,397 - $10,794 per semester (3-6 credits)
Estimated Total Tuition*	$53,970

*Estimated based on 2025-2026 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including additional fees and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), please visit Student Financial Services.

The Tufts University School of Engineering offers partial, merit-based tuition scholarships for the majority of our graduate and certificate programs. All applicants are automatically considered for these awards as part of our holistic admissions review process—no separate scholarship application or additional materials are required.

Additional funding opportunities may include Tufts Double Jumbo Scholarships for Tufts graduates, Bridge Program Scholarships for students and alumni from select partner institutions, and veteran and military education benefits for eligible service members and their dependents, including participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

To further support your investment in a Tufts graduate education, a range of financing options are available, including federal and private student loans. For more details, please visit our Graduate Financial Aid page.