Program Description

Cyber threats and attacks are increasing in frequency and severity. The MS degree in Cyber Security, Technology and Policy provides the opportunity for both students with prior computer science experience and those coming from nontechnical backgrounds to learn strategic, policy and analytic aspects of cybersecurity. In addition to courses in informational systems, computer science and cognitive psychology, this program provides public policy courses regarding privacy, ethics, data security and regulations, in relation to cybersecurity.

Students must complete 36 credit hours to earn a Master of Science in Cyber Security, Technology and Policy. This includes:

• 12 semester credit hours of the cybersecurity computer science core
• 12 semester credit hours of the cybersecurity public policy core
• 6 semester credit hours of the cybersecurity management informational systems core
• 3 semester credit hours of cybersecurity cognitive psychology essentials core
• 3 semester credit hours of cybersecurity capstone

Students who meet the individual course prerequisites for the cybersecurity systems computer science graduate classes may petition the computer science director of graduate studies to substitute those courses. Detailed information is available at epps.utdallas.edu.

For complete admission and degree requirements, view the Graduate Catalog at catalog.utdallas.edu

Benefits

The Cyber Security, Technology and Policy master’s program ensures that students gain a broad understanding of their discipline, apply their knowledge and analytical skills to create effective and novel solutions to practical problems and communicate and work effectively in collaborative environments.

Other benefits include:

• World-Class Faculty: The program is led by faculty of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences who are widely cited experts in their respective fields.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses in the Cyber Security, Technology and Policy master’s program will introduce students to new ideas, technologies, and competencies while preparing them to succeed in both public and private sectors.
• Facilities: Students have full access to four state-of-the-art computer laboratories housed in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. All computers are network linked and hold full suites of leading survey, qualitative, spatial and statistical analysis software, including Qualtrics, NVivo, ArcGis, ENVI, EViews, R, STATA, and SAS.
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region — recently rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 “Best City for Jobs” — UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared for roles such as:

• Environmental Policy Analysts
• Environmental Economists
• Sustainability Specialists
• Urban and Regional Planners

The program addresses workforce needs by preparing students to support green infrastructure and sustainable development at local, state, and national levels.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Please take note of all application deadlines and visit the webpage to begin the application process. See the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences graduate website for additional information.

Applicants to the Sustainability Planning and Policy master’s degree program should have:

• A baccalaureate degree in a relevant field or its equivalent from an institution of higher education.
• A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale, although applications are reviewed holistically.
• Test Scores: A GRE/GMAT test score is not required. Additional standards may apply to applicants requesting Teaching Assistantships.
• Transcripts: Applicants should submit transcripts from all postsecondary institutions that they have attended.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation from an individual able to judge the candidate’s potential for success in the master’s degree program. The letter can be academic or professional.
• Admissions Essay: Applicants must submit an essay outlining their academic interests and professional goals.
• A resume.
• International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the internet-based test. Scores must be less than two years old. See the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding English proficiency requirements for international applicants.

About the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences  

Founded in 1975 as the School of Social Sciences, the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS) is a compact, focused policy school embedded within a large, Carnegie-recognized Tier One university. EPPS students receive all of the benefits of studying at a major research university while also capitalizing on personalized instruction and close connections with faculty and classmates of a small college.  

An EPPS education is interdisciplinary. Our 11 discipline areas include:  

• Computational and Geospatial Science  
• Criminology and Criminal Justice  
• Cyber and Big Data Analytics  
• Economics  
• Geospatial Information Sciences  
• Political Science  
• Public and Nonprofit Management  
• Public Policy and Political Economy  
• Public Health  
• Sociology  
• Sustainability Planning and Policy  

All 11 disciplines are interrelated, and an understanding of one informs a better understanding of the others. For this reason, we encourage our students to explore the various majors and minors within EPPS and to take classes across majors.   

As a graduate in EPPS, you will have the opportunity to work with professors who are probing issues that will affect your future. You will develop the vital skills you need to thrive in a rapidly evolving, highly competitive job market. EPPS will prepare you for careers in government, nonprofits and the private sector that enable you to make a real difference in the world of today and tomorrow.  The school has six affiliated centers and initiatives:  

• Texas Schools Project  
• Institute for Urban Policy Research  
• Army ROTC – Comet Battalion  
• North Texas Quality of Life Initiative  
• Taiwan Studies Program  
• Initiative for Civil Leadership  

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts: Criminology, economics (BA), economics (BS), geospatial information sciences, international political economy, political science, public affairs, public health, public policy, sociology, computational and geospatial science, sustainability planning and policy

Master of Science: Applied sociology, criminology, cyber security, technology and policy, economics, geospatial information sciences, international political economy, social data analytics and research, and sustainability planning and policy (Fall 2026). 

Master of Arts: Political science 

Master of Public Affairs: Public affairs 

Master of Public Policy: Public policy 

Doctor of Philosophy: Criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, political science, public affairs, public policy and political economy 

Graduate Certificates

EPPS offers the following 15-hour graduate certificates, which generally can be completed in one year of part-time evening classes: 

• Arts Management and Leadership: focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the nonprofit sector professional settings providing visual or performing arts content and services. 
• Crime Mapping and Analysis: designed to provide knowledge and skills to professionals in the criminal justice field who seek to specialize in crime mapping and analysis 
• Economic and Demographic Data Analysis: focusing on the understanding and application of quantitative analysis of demographic and economic data.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): focusing on the application of GIS in government, private sector and scientific areas.
• Geospatial Intelligence: focusing on the application of geospatial ideas and techniques to national security and other intelligence activity. 
• International Banking and Monetary Systems: focusing on applications for monetary economics, forecasting, and macroeconomic aspects of banking 
• Local Government Management: designed to broaden knowledge of important issues and approaches employed by professional local public administrators. 
• Nonprofit Management: designed to broaden knowledge of important issues in the nonprofit sector and learn practical skills of managing people and data that are key to securing managerial positions and being successful in the nonprofit sector. 
• Program Evaluation: designed to provide students the opportunity to gain competencies in the design and implementation of program evaluations in fields such as education, health care, human services, criminal justice and economic development.
• Public Budgeting and Financial Management: designed to enhance students’ understanding and experience in public budgeting and financial management and control, governmental or non-profit accounting, and public expenditure planning, management, and fiscal control. 
• Public Human Resources Management: designed to give students a full introduction to the principles, strategies, and techniques of public human resources management. 
• Remote Sensing: focusing on remote sensing and digital image processing. 
• Spatial Data Science: focusing on big data handling, machine learning, programming skills, and capabilities in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing/drone, geovisualization, locational intelligence, and spatial pattern analysis.