The Graduate Certificate in Information Security and Assurance (ISA) is a 12-credit graduate-level certificate designed to provide advanced knowledge of information security concepts, governance, fundamental and emerging technologies in network security and computer systems security, as well as proficiency in security policies, procedures, risk management and audit. The purpose of this graduate certificate is to offer a practitioner-oriented credential in the information security area to students who are seeking an opportunity for more focused study.  

Admission to Graduate Studies

An applicant seeking to pursue graduate study may be admitted as either a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Policies and procedures of Graduate Studies govern the process of Graduate admission. These may be found in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog.

Admission Requirements:

1. Online application: gradapply.ku.edu/apply
2. Application fee
3. An official copy of transcripts
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Current professional résumé
6. Statement of purpose
7. An undergraduate degree in a computing or related discipline with a GPA of 2.75 or better
8. For applicants with at least two years of practical work experience in IT, no GRE scores will be required. For those who would like to take the GRE, exam requirements are as follows: 146+ verbal, 155+ quantitative (mean GRE: 152 verbal, 163 quantitative). If GRE scores are submitted, they will be considered as part of admission process.
9. International applicants must meet KU’s English proficiency, visa and financial support document requirement

Certificate Requirements

To complete the program and obtain the certificate degree, the following three courses must be completed:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
ITEC 710	Information Security and Assurance	3
ITEC 711	Security Management and Audit	3
ITEC 712	Network Security and its Application	3
Select one of the following:
ITEC 714	Information Security and Cyber Law	3
ITEC 780	Communication Networks	3
ITEC 811	IT Project Management	3

The completion requirements of the graduate certificate in Cybersecurity include: (a) students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better on the required courses; (b) the minimum grade for any course to be applied toward the certificate is a grade of C; and (c) no credits may be transferred from another institution for this certificate.

Note: The completion of the graduate certificate program does not lead to automatic admission to the MSIT program, particularly if the student lacks the BS degree in computing or related discipline. However, for students who are able to gain admission to the MSIT program within three years of earning the certificate, all certificate course work completed with a grade B or higher will be recognized through a combination of the following methods.

For students admitted to the MSIT program before completion of the certificate, all certificate course work may also be applied to the degree-granting program. For students admitted to the MSIT program after completing the certificate, departments will use a combination of transfer credit and degree requirement waivers to recognize the 12 hours earned through the certificate program.  At the discretion of the degree-granting program and the Graduate Division, up to nine (9) credit hours may be transferred to the degree program. For the purposes of the MSIT program, completion of the graduate certificate in Cybersecurity within three years, with a grade of B or better, shall also be recognized as exceptional preparation which warrants the waiver of course work completed during the certificate program and not transferred. Please see the M.A. & M.S. Degrees and Graduate Credit policies for more information.