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M.S. in Cybersecurity: Malware Analysis Specialization

Defend Against the Growing Threat of Malicious Software

Defend Businesses from Malware

Hands-On Practice With Cutting-Edge Tools

Industry-Experienced Faculty

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  • Duration 2 years
  • Cost per Credit $895
  • Credit Hours 30

Program Benefits

  • Gain the expertise to address cybersecurity problems
  • Participate in a virtual two-day immersive residency
  • Study at a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD)

Protect Organizations in Any Industry

Understand the nuances of finding and mitigating malware and graduate with the skills to defend against — and recover from — targeted attacks with Utica University’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity with a Malware Analysis specialization.

Malware is a growing threat to organizations, as advances in technology and inter-connectivity have increased the sophistication and intensity of cyberattacks. Malicious code can compromise both the hardware and software integrity of a computer or network and cause these to behave in undesirable ways.

Through 18 core credits and 12 specialization credits, you’ll learn to think like a malware author and gain the expertise to address cybersecurity problems and protect your organization.

Career Outlook

No matter the size of the organization, one of the most important considerations for cybersecurity is to understand how, rather than if, an attack will occur.

In the Malware Analysis specialization, you’ll learn specialized techniques to understand the characteristics of real-world malware and reverse engineer this malicious software to determine what it does, who it talks to, and how to defend against it. With these skills, you’ll graduate ready to act as an invaluable asset to organizations, regardless of industry.

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: MALWARE ANALYST

$90,633/year

As a malware analyst, you would examine malware samples — such as trojans, viruses, worms, and more — to determine exactly what the software does, as well as its potential impact on a given computer or network. Through reverse engineering, professionals in this position determine how to mitigate malware issues and defend against future attacks.1

CAREER SPOTLIGHT: REVERSE ENGINEER

$89,758/year

As a reverse engineer, your responsibilities would be similar to a malware analyst. You would work backward from a malware attack to determine computer or network vulnerability. These professionals then design solutions to close gaps and protect an organization’s systems and data.2

Other titles you may qualify for:

  • Intrusion Intelligence Analyst
  • Cyber Incident Response Analyst
Jobs and Income

Curriculum: Innovative Methods and Cutting-Edge Tools

Delve into the intricacies of cyberattack methods and techniques (including malware) with the Malware Analysis specialization. Through discussions and virtual hands-on exercises, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of malicious code and use cutting-edge tactics to combat it.

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to utilize tools from Utica’s Malware Analysis Laboratory. Located in a secure, controlled facility, the lab is designed to safely analyze suspect malware and houses over 100 GB of recent malware samples.

Many of the state-of-the-art tools used in the lab by our cyber faculty to conduct real-world research and analysis on malware are also available to you as a student in the online malware analysis specialization.

Course Spotlight: CYB 641 – Computer and Network Operations

Develop an appreciation and depth of understanding of computer network operations (CNO) and its three pillars of operation: Attack, defense, and exploitation. Cultivate skills in system vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.

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Course Spotlight: CYB 691 – Malware Practicum

This practicum is designed to give you supervised, practical application of previously or concurrent studied theory in malware mitigation and analysis. You’ll learn the nuances of finding and mitigating malware and gain a deep understanding of the technical methods of malicious code (malcode), specialized malware analysis tools and environments, and enterprise-wide mitigation methods.

More Options for Your Degree

Computer Forensics

Pursue your passion for collecting and preparing evidence for computer crimes such as fraud, child pornography and cyber espionage with courses that emphasize a comprehensive understanding of the forensic tools and techniques used to investigate and analyze network-related incidents and preserve digital evidence.

View Program

Cyber Operations

Examine defensive and offensive modes of cyber operations as you become a cybersecurity expert. You’ll graduate ready to detect, investigate, and prevent cybercrime for employers ranging from defense contractors to financial services to critical infrastructure.

View Program

Cyber Policy

Understand the policies and practices of cybersecurity so you can become a leader in this emerging field. You’ll graduate ready to help organizations manage security risks and protect assets.

View Program

Data Analytics

Explore concepts in business intelligence, data analytics, and data science. Learn how to analyze big data to make strategic decisions, and advance in this fast-growing field.

View Program

Electronic Crime

Master the technical, legal, and ethical aspects of electronic crime, white collar crime and fraud investigation with a focus on risk and compliance, legal issues, fraud management, and advanced fraud analysis techniques.

View Program

Intelligence

Learn to protect and maintain homeland and national security through cyber intelligence and counterintelligence, cyber counterterrorism, and cyber counter sabotage. Graduate with the knowledge to create and leverage systems to protect our nation’s critical data and help ensure security for all.

View Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Advancing your life and career with an online degree comes with lots of questions, and we want to ensure your search for answers is effortless. If you have a question we haven’t covered, call (866) 295-3106 to speak with an enrollment counselor.

The online M.S. in Cybersecurity program is designed for professionals who work full-time and is offered part-time, which allows you to achieve a realistic balance between work, school, and personal responsibilities and gives you the opportunity to fully absorb the information in your coursework. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Utica University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) through the academic year 2024.

Our cybersecurity programs have also been recognized for their excellence by the:

  • Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3)
  • EC-Council, one of the premier certifying cybersecurity bodies

Read more about the M.S. in Cybersecurity.

The first step toward applying to the M.S. in Cybersecurity is to start your online application. Then, you’ll need to gather official transcripts, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a résumé. Read more about admission requirements for the M.S. in Cybersecurity.

Yes, the M.S. in Cybersecurity offers these specializations:

  • Computer Forensics
  • Cyber Operations
  • Cyber Policy
  • Data Analytics
  • Electronic Crime
  • Intelligence
  • Malware Analysis

You can review courses now.

Yes, as part of the M.S. in Cybersecurity, you’ll complete a two-day online virtual cybersecurity residency. Learn more about the curriculum.

The M.S. in Cybersecurity prepares you for industry certifications like CompTIA A+, Security+, and CISSP—among others.

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Sources

  1. PayScale (n.d.). Average Malware Analyst Salary. Retrieved April 26, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Malware_Analyst/Salary
  2. Glassdoor Inc. (n.d.) Reverse Engineer Salaries. Retrieved April 26, 2019, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Malware_Analyst/Salary