Curriculum
The UC Berkeley School of Information's Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) prepares students with the technical, conceptual, and practical skills needed for a professional career in cybersecurity. The program’s curriculum offers a holistic approach to cybersecurity, so students develop technical expertise while gaining an understanding of the behavioral, economic, legal, and ethical concerns that shape security in the digital age.
Courses are developed by faculty from the School of Information (I School) and College of Engineering. Graduates will be prepared to pursue leadership roles in organizations across sectors and industries.
The MICS curriculum includes the following key focus areas:
Graduates of this program will:
PREPARE TO LEAD, MANAGE
and contribute to building cybersecurity solutions.
KNOW HOW TO BUILD
secure systems and applications.
GAIN HANDS ON
practical cybersecurity experience.
“What makes Berkeley’s Master of Information and Cybersecurity program unique is its focus on the human element of cybersecurity.”
Chris Hoofnagle, Adjunct Professor at the UC Berkeley School of Information and School of Law
Program Requirements
The Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) consists of 27 units of course work and is designed to be completed in 20 months (five terms). All students are required to take two courses in their first term. Courses are 3 units each and divided into foundation courses, advanced courses, and a capstone. You will also attend an immersion on the UC Berkeley campus, or other locations relevant to cybersecurity.
Foundation Courses
Students will complete 12 units (four courses) of foundation work:
If you are able to demonstrate sufficient programming proficiency in your application, you will be waived from the Programming Fundaments for Cybersecurity course. You may also provide additional documentation to be waived if you are admitted. Contact your Admissions Counselor for more information.
Software Security
3 UNITS
Advanced Courses
Students will complete at least 12 units (four courses) of advanced course work. This must include at least one course that fulfills the System Security requirement — either Network Security or Operating System Security.
Privacy Engineering
3 UNITS
Managing Cyber Risk
3 UNITS
Capstone Course
Capstone
3 UNITS
Immersion
While all courses are delivered online, students are required to attend at least one, 3–4 day immersion on the UC Berkeley campus or in other locations relevant to cybersecurity. During the immersion, Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) students benefit from meeting classmates and professors in person, participating in workshops, and networking with other cybersecurity professionals. Immersions are crafted to deliver additional learning, networking, and community-building opportunities to MICS students.