The Master of Science in Cybersecurity prepares students to design, implement, and deploy advanced security technologies. Developed by the Department of Computer Science, the program combines rigorous technical training with an understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of cybersecurity. Students emerge with the technical expertise and informed perspective required to confront today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges.
Students gain real-world experience both in the classroom and through opportunities provided by the Tufts Cybersecurity Center for the Public Good and the Graduate Cooperative Education Program. Graduates are equipped to meet the global demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals and are well-prepared to pursue technical roles in industry or government, as well as advanced doctoral research.
If you're new to cybersecurity, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science prepares you to earn a certificate or an M.S. in Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, or Computer Science. It is offered on-campus or 100% online, with the rigor and flexibility working professionals need.
Some School of Engineering master's and certificate programs offer scholarships to qualified students. To receive full consideration, be sure to complete your application before the submission deadline. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@tufts.edu for more information.
The new M.S. in Cybersecurity offers a technology-intensive degree that places an emphasis on the technical core of cybersecurity—the approaches, techniques, and tools that make systems secure. Students build expertise in security algorithms, vulnerability assessment, and defensive technologies, while gaining advanced knowledge of computing system design and implementation.
Through courses such as Trusted and Responsible AI, Cryptography, and Network Security, students think critically about how systems function, where they fail, and how to strengthen them. Students tailor the program to their interests through electives such as Programming Languages, Database Systems, Cloud Computing, and Computer Architecture.
The program also explores the ethical and societal dimensions of cybersecurity through courses like Cyber in the Civil Sector, Privacy in the Digital Age, and International Cyber Conflict, preparing graduates to address security challenges with both technical mastery and contextual awareness.
Tufts Cybersecurity Center for the Public Good, directed by Professor Susan Landau, advances research and education to address the civic and societal impact of technology. M.S. in Cybersecurity students benefit from the center’s interdisciplinary collaborations, engaging in initiatives with the Tufts Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the School of Engineering, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the School of Medicine, and more. These partnerships provide students with opportunities to work on projects that integrate technical innovation with ethics and civic responsibility.
Cybersecurity education at Tufts extends well beyond the classroom. Students gain hands-on experience that strengthens their technical expertise, leadership, and community engagement. Students have the option to earn elective credits through participation in the Tufts Cybersecurity Center for the Public Good’s Cybersecurity Clinic, directed by Teaching Professor Ming Chow. The clinic offers pro bono cybersecurity services to nonprofit and under-resourced organizations, enabling students to apply their learning to real-world challenges while making a tangible difference in the local community.
At the clinic, students team up with peers from the School of Engineering, Tisch College of Civic Life, and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy to develop expertise in security training and awareness, asset management, risk mitigation, response planning, source code review, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing.
M.S. in Cybersecurity students may also participate in the School of Engineering’s Graduate Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program, which offers up to six months of full-time professional experience. The Co-Op allows students to apply classroom concepts to real-world engineering and cybersecurity challenges, enhance their resumes, and develop a competitive advantage in the job market.
Graduates of the M.S. in Cybersecurity program emerge with the technical expertise and informed perspective required to confront today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges. With an interdisciplinary learning environment and a curriculum that reflects the latest developments in the field, Tufts graduates are positioned to make a meaningful impact across industries. Alumni pursue advanced technical roles in industry, government, and research, or continue their studies at the doctoral level.
What Makes Tufts School of Engineering Unique?
Students with an interest in cybersecurity and a bachelor's degree in a related field are encouraged to apply. Students without a background in computer science, mathematics, or programming may wish to consider the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science. The post-bacc program is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want to prepare for admission into the cybersecurity graduate program.
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.
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.
Research/Areas of Interest: privacy-preserving analytics, federated databases, differential privacy, private data sharing, secure computation, database performance, data science, trustworthy database systems
Research/Areas of Interest: cyber security
Research/Areas of Interest: Programming languages, software engineering, security
Research/Areas of Interest: Cybersecurity policy, Privacy, Communications Surveillance
Research/Areas of Interest: trusted AI, hardware security, electronic design automation, VLSI architectures for machine learning and emerging cryptographic systems, and AI for healthcare and biomedical applications.
Research/Areas of Interest: computer security and privacy, secure development, security professionals, human-computer interaction, mobile security