UNLV’s Master of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity has secured the #2 spot in Fortune’s 2025 list of the nation's top in-person cybersecurity master's programs.
Each year, Fortune evaluates programs in a variety of categories based on curriculum quality, faculty expertise, industry partnerships, and career outcomes of graduates.
UNLV was noted for its well-rounded curriculum and has a high job placement for cybersecurity graduates, which reflects the program's strong alignment with industry demands and its excellence in preparing students for the complexities of today's workforce.
The MS in Cybersecurity program is a collaborative effort between UNLV’s Lee Business School and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. This unique partnership blends technical skills with business strategy, equipping graduates to tackle sophisticated cyber threats while leading industry-wide initiatives.
To meet a growing need for flexible and high-quality education options, UNLV is launching Nevada’s first fully online and hybrid master’s degrees in cybersecurity in spring 2025. This expansion complements the undergraduate program that debuted in fall 2024, giving students a continuous academic pathway in cybersecurity from bachelor’s to master’s.
“Our curriculum provides hands-on experience using cutting-edge tools like the Cyberbit cyber range, giving students the opportunity to solve real-world problems in a supportive learning environment,” says Greg Moody, professor and director of the MS in Cybersecurity program.
What Makes UNLV’s Cybersecurity Program Stand Out?
The program’s career-focused curriculum is driven by faculty members who are leaders in the field. Students delve into critical topics like cryptography, network security, and digital forensics, while also gaining business knowledge, setting graduates up for leadership roles.
Location matters, too. UNLV’s campus in Las Vegas—now a tech and business hub—provides students with unique internship and networking opportunities, whether they’re studying online or on-campus. The city also hosts DEF CON, one of the world’s most renowned hacking conferences. DEF CON not only draws top cybersecurity talent globally but also connects UNLV students to industry insights and cutting-edge practices, reinforcing the university's strong link to the cybersecurity community. Partnerships with major tech firms and cybersecurity organizations further enhance the resources available to students, equipping them with the skills and connections needed to advance in their careers.
Building a Cybersecurity Powerhouse
UNLV’s academic programs in cybersecurity have earned significant recognition in recent years, including designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
The university recently received more than $6 million in grant funding over the past year to support cybersecurity education and community programming. This includes a Free Cyber Clinic that gives students real-world opportunities helping local small businesses improve their cyber infrastructure, and an NSF-funded CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program to boost student skills in areas like artificial intelligence and machine learning for future government service.
And each summer, the College of Engineering hosts a popular GenCyber camp for middle and high school students to introduce them to career opportunities available to cybersecurity professionals and to build their skills in detecting cybercrime and practicing safe online behavior.
Applications Now Open for Spring 2025
With applications open for the spring 2025 semester, UNLV invites prospective students to join its cybersecurity master’s program. Visit the program webpage to learn more or apply today.
