Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS)

The UC Berkeley School of Information offers the online Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS), designed to train students with professional experience for a career in cybersecurity. MICS students make valuable connections with peers and faculty and benefit from I School resources and UC Berkeley’s proximity to Silicon Valley. GMAT/GRE are required to enroll.

The MICS program features live classes taught by experienced Berkeley faculty, engaging course content, a capstone project, and an on-campus immersion to give students a holistic understanding of complex cybersecurity principles.

The MICS program is designed for mid-career professionals with backgrounds in computer science, information technology, electrical and computer engineering, or related fields. Developed in collaboration with faculty from the UC Berkeley College of Engineering, the MICS curriculum aims to inform leaders who go on to work in either private sector tech companies or government and military organizations.

Since its founding in 1994, the I School’s mission has been to develop sustainable ways to organize and comprehend the abundance of information in modern society. The MICS program will provide students with the knowledge necessary to ensure security and privacy in a time of evolving technology and cybersecurity practices. They will learn how to approach security threats from multiple perspectives and strategically engineer solutions. This multidisciplinary program enables MICS students to apply skills developed in class to leadership roles in a variety of fields.

MICS curriculum covers the following subjects:

• secure coding
• network and web security
• operating systems security
• law, ethics, and privacy
• cyber offense and cyber defense
• government and national security
• economics of cybersecurity
• cryptography

The I School’s proximity to Silicon Valley also positions its students and faculty at the forefront of the world’s technology innovation hub. The Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) is another resource online students may access. The CLTC is a research and collaboration hub within the I School, focusing on future challenges and solutions in information and security.

The MICS experience involves opportunities to make lasting connections with other ambitious cybersecurity professionals. Live classes provide for dialogue and discussion between students and faculty. MICS students may also form study and social groups with peers and attend instructor office hours outside live classes.

Coursework is engaging and interactive, accessible anywhere with an Internet connection. The MICS program can be completed in 20 months online, giving students the UC Berkeley experience wherever they are.

The UC Berkeley I School provides extensive support to MICS students before, throughout, and even after the program. Dedicated Admissions Counselors work with enrolled and prospective students to answer any questions, as well as offer tech support. After graduation from the MICS program, you will have continued access to the I School’s large alumni network of technology professionals as you advance in your career.

Benefits

• Complete your degree online in as little as 20 months
• Gain insight on the latest knowledge from cybersecurity experts at UC Berkeley
• Experience an immersive online program with live classes, a capstone project, and an in-person immersion
• Develop an understanding of strategic cybersecurity practices and principles across business, political, and legal contexts
• Make valuable connections with tech professionals in California and around the world