What to Expect When You Earn Your Business Cybersecurity Master’s Online

Rapid increases in cybercrime have forced companies to prioritize cybersecurity, driving demand for professionals who can straddle the gap between technical knowledge and business strategy. Earning a master’s degree in business cybersecurity can prepare you to meet this demand, advance your career or pivot into a new field.  

At the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville, you can earn your Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity (MSBC) 100% online. Take advantage of the opportunity to build your technical and business acumen and earn an advanced degree without relocating or putting your professional development on hold. Continue reading to discover what to expect when you enroll in the UT MSBC online master’s program. 

Degree Advantages: Why Students Choose to Learn Online

Earning your master’s degree online provides many benefits, including: 

• Accessibility: Learning online allows you to earn your master’s degree without relocating or traveling to campus. 
• Flexibility: Online students can attend classes and complete coursework from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection; this makes balancing studies with work and family commitments much easier. They can access asynchronous content 24/7, learning when it fits their schedules. 
• Continued professional development: Those who continue to work while pursuing a degree continue to accrue work experience and earn a salary.
• Networking opportunities: Online degree programs attract a diverse cohort of students, facilitating connections with business cybersecurity professionals nationwide to expand your professional network. 

At UT, a world-class curriculum and program design integrate the benefits of virtual learning, delivering high-quality education in a flexible learning environment. 

Curriculum Insights: What Will You Learn Online at UT? 

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the cybersecurity industry faces a critical global talent shortage of four million. UT’s online MSBC program produces graduates ready to help fill this gap by stepping into such roles as business cybersecurity analyst, information security analyst and cybersecurity consultant. 

Aligned to industry standards, the online MSBC curriculum covers business cybersecurity foundations, risk management, organizational security management, and security governance and ethics. Students also complete an Emerging Topics in Business Cybersecurity course that examines trending and emerging technology innovations impacting cybersecurity. 

The program learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Evaluate the impact of cybersecurity on the business environment and the implications of regulations and external factors
• Navigate the policies, operations and management of organizational cybersecurity business processes
• Leverage key technologies for designing, implementing and protecting organizational assets with an awareness of how they will impact business processes and strategy
• Apply cybersecurity skills and functional knowledge to real-world business scenarios 

Deep Dive: Explore the Online MSBC Learning Experience

UT’s online learning environment accommodates maximum flexibility without compromising engagement and interaction with faculty and a diverse cohort of peers. As a UT online student, you’ll attend live online classes that include debates, presentations and breakout group discussions with fellow graduate students. Small class sizes make it easy to form connections and trade ideas and perspectives. 

In addition to attending synchronous classes, online students complete asynchronous coursework, assignments and readings. You can access coursework through the Canvas Learning Management System anytime to schedule study around other commitments. 

UT online students can access various support resources to help them succeed. Student Support Coaches advise online MSBC students on time management, organization skills, academic confidence and self-motivation. Students can also access 24/7 tech support and seek support from faculty members during virtual office hours. 

Reach Your Career Goals with a Degree That Works for You

According to the WEF, the global cybersecurity talent shortage could reach 85 million workers by 2030. If you’re interested in a business cybersecurity career, now is a good time to get started. At UT, you can earn your business cybersecurity master’s degree in a flexible online format, enabling you to gain career-relevant skills without having to relocate or put your professional development on hold. 

The UT online MSBC program teaches you how to use cybersecurity foundations to inform business strategy and drive critical conversations around organizational resilience. Upon graduation, you can pursue various job opportunities in business cybersecurity, IT management, cybersecurity and business. 

Ready to take the next step toward your business cybersecurity career? Attend an online event to learn more about the UT online MSBC program, or connect with an enrollment advisor for in-depth program information and personalized advice.