GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

The University of Fairfax offers the following graduate degree programs:

• Doctorate in Information Assurance (DIA)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Information Assurance (PhD)
• Master of Science in Information Security Management (MSISM) with specializations in Disaster Recovery and Continuity Planning, Information Security Analysis, Information Security Auditing, Information Security Compliance and Information Security Engineering

Program Objectives:

• To gain expertise in a specialized field of study based upon theory, concepts and skills relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
• To apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the exploration of a specialized field of study relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
• To develop primary field research competencies that can result in a contribution to knowledge in a specialized field of study relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
• To demonstrate expertise in a specialized topic relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree program, graduates will be able to:

• Establish the rationale and objectives for conducting primary research in a specialized area of Information Assurance.
• Demonstrate knowledge and synthesis of the current body of literature with respect to a specialized area of Information Assurance.
• Apply appropriate methodologies and analysis techniques in conducting primary field research in a specialized area of Information Assurance
• Contribute to the body of knowledge through the documentation of research methods and findings in a specialized area of Information Assurance.

Credit Requirements
The Doctorate in Information Assurance consists of a total of 64 semester credits beyond a Master's degree, including 24 credits of core courses, 9 credits of specialization-specific courses and 31 credits of dissertation-related courses.

To ensure that students make steady progress towards the completion of their dissertations, the University has developed the Dissertation Project Plan. This plan consists of a series of deliverables students produce in research methods courses and dissertation courses.

Click here for the DIA Curriculum Overview

Program Objectives:

• To gain expertise in a specialized field of study based upon theory, concepts and skills relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
• To apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the exploration of a specialized field of study designed to advance theoretical concepts relevant to Information Assurance research.
• To develop primary field research competencies that can result in a “theory driven” contribution to knowledge in a specialized field of study relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.
• To demonstrate expertise in a specialized topic relevant to Information Assurance practitioners.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree program, graduates will be able to:

• Establish the rationale and objectives for conducting primary research in a specialized area of Information Assurance.
• Demonstrate knowledge and synthesis of the current body of literature with respect to a specialized area of Information Assurance.
• Apply appropriate methodologies and analysis techniques in conducting theory driven primary field research in a specialized area of Information Assurance designed to test and advance theory and theoretical concepts.
• Contribute to the body of knowledge through the documentation of research methods and findings in a specialized area of Information Assurance.

Comprehensive Exams
Prior to the commencement of research courses, students enrolled in the PhD program must complete and pass six comprehensive exams. Students select six of the ten Information Security domains known as the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) as research topic areas for the comprehensive exams and are assigned specific research questions relevant to each domain selected. Within two consecutive eight-week terms, students are scheduled to produce six exam papers which demonstrate mastery of the selected CBK domains, literature-based research skills, APA format and citation requirements. Each comprehensive exam consists of a 25-30 page research paper which addresses the research questions assigned. Each exam must be produced within a defined two week period. If necessary, students may repeat up to two of the comprehensive exams in a four-week period following the final evaluation of their exams. Students passing all six exams are permitted to enroll in dissertation preparation courses.

Credit Requirements
The PhD consists of a total of 70 semester credits beyond a Master’s degree, including 24 credits of core courses, 9 credits of specialization-specific courses, 6 credits for comprehensive exams and 39 credits of dissertation-related courses. To ensure that students make steady progress towards the completion of their dissertations, the University has developed the Dissertation Project Plan. This plan consists of a series of deliverables students produce in research methods courses and dissertation courses.

Specializations:

• Disaster Recovery and Continuity Planning (DRC)
• Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (GRC)
• Information Security Analysis (ISA)
• Information Security Auditing (IAU)
• Information Security Engineering (ISE)

Program Objectives:

• To gain knowledge in a specialized field of study based upon theory, concepts and skills relevant to Information Security practitioners.
• To apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the analysis of issues relevant to Information Security practitioners.
• To utilize secondary research competencies in the analysis of issues relevant to Information Security practitioners.
• To develop the necessary skills and perspectives to address a specialized area of Information Security management.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree program, students will be able to:

• Compile, analyze, and assess the applicability of best practices in addressing Information Security issues.
• Evaluate the impact of business constraints and processes on the implementation of Information Security programs.
• Integrate principles and techniques of risk analysis, project planning and change management in the development of Information Security strategies.
• Utilize secondary research skills in the critical assessment and selection of information sources that are applicable and relevant to the development of approaches to Information Security challenges.
• Demonstrate mastery of theory, concepts and skills in addressing specialized aspects of Information Security issues.

Credit Requirements
The MSISM degree program consists of 36 semester credits beyond a baccalaureate degree, including 24 credits of core courses and 12 credits of specialization-specific courses.

Click here for the MSISM Curriculum Overview

• Disaster Recovery and Continuity Planning (DRC)
• Governance, Risk Management and Compliance
• Information Security Analysis
• Information Security Auditing
• Information Security Engineering
• Information Security for the Enterprise
• Information Security Planning and Analysis
• Information Security Project Management
• Information Security Risk Management Strategies