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BOARD OF REGENTS
SUMMARY OF ITEM FOR ACTION, INFORMATION, OR DISCUSSION
TOPIC: University of Maryland University College: Restructuring of Existing Area of Concentration in Information Assurance to Master of Science in Cyber Operations
COMMITTEE: Education Policy and Student Life
DATE OF COMMITTEE MEETING: Tuesday, September 19, 2017
SUMMARY: The proposed restructuring and revision of the existing Area of Concentration in Information Assurance to a freestanding M.S. in Cyber Operations will strengthen the curriculum and better align it with the needs of employers. This action will also clarify the content of the degree and simplify the pathway to completion, allowing for a better communication of the program outcomes to students and employers.
The proposed program is targeted towards those with academic and/or professional backgrounds in hands-on computer science. “These include early or mid-career individuals with experience in the military, public, or private sectors who desire to expand their knowledge and skill set in cybersecurity technologies in order to enhance their opportunities for special operations in cyber space. The revised program is a highly technical program grounded in computer sciences.”
Cyber Operations related occupational categories are projected to grow by 9.2% nationally and 6.1% in Maryland between 2017 and 2022.
ALTERNATIVE(S): The Regents may not approve the program or may request further information.
FISCAL IMPACT: No additional funds are required. The program can be supported by the projected tuition and fees revenue.
CHANCELLOR’S RECOMMENDATION: That the Education Policy and Student Life Committee recommend that the Board of Regents approve the proposal from UMUC to offer the Master of Science in Cyber Operations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Approval DATE: September 19, 2017
BOARD ACTION: DATE:
SUBMITTED BY: Joann A. Boughman 301-445-1992 [email protected]
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
UNIVERSITYSYSTEMOFMARYLANDINSTITUTIONPROPOSALFOR
X NewInstructionalProgram SubstantialExpansion/MajorModification
CooperativeDegreeProgramX WithinExistingResourcesor _____RequiringNewResources
UniversityofMarylandUniversityCollege
InstitutionSubmittingProposal
RestructuringofExistingAreaofConcentration(AOC)inInformationAssurancewithintheM.S.inInformationTechnology
to MasterofScienceinCyberOperations
TitleofProposedProgram
MasterofScience Fall2018
DegreetobeAwarded ProjectedImplementationDate
079901 11.1003
ProposedHEGISCode ProposedCIPCode
TheGraduateSchool K.Klose,PhD,ViceProvostandDean
Departmentinwhichprogramwillbelocated DepartmentContact
(240)684-2400 [email protected]
ContactPhoneNumber ContactE-MailAddress
9/8/17
SignatureofPresidentorDesignee Date
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
UniversityofMarylandUniversityCollegeMasterofScienceinCyberOperations
UniversityofMarylandUniversityCollege(UMUC)proposestorestructureandrevisetheexistingAreaofConcentration(A.O.C.)inInformationAssurance(HEGIS070200;CIP11.0401)withintheMasterofScience(M.S.)inInformationTechnology.ThechangeconsistsofremovinganddiscontinuingtheInformationAssurancecurriculumfromtheM.S.inInformationTechnologyandrestructuringthecurriculumasafreestandingM.S.inCyberOperations(proposednewHEGIS079901;proposednewCIP11.1003).TherestructuredM.S.programrequiresthesuccessfulcompletionofsixsix-creditcoursesforatotalof36semesterhoursofgraduate-levelcoursework.A. CentralitytoInstitutionalMissionStatementandPlanningPriorities
1. Programdescriptionandalignmentwithmission
ConsistentwiththeinstitutionalpurposeasstipulatedbyStatestatute(Md.EducationCodeAnn.§13-101(2012)),themissionofUMUCisimprovingthelivesofadultlearners.UMUCwillaccomplishthisby:
(1) OperatingasMaryland’sopenuniversity,servingworkingadults,militaryservicemenandservicewomenandtheirfamilies,andveteranswhoresideinMaryland,acrosstheUnitedStates,andaroundtheworld;
(2) Providingourstudentswithaffordable,openaccesstovalued,qualityhighereducation;and
(3) Servingasarecognizedleaderincareer-relevanteducation,embracinginnovationandchangealignedwithourpurposeandsharingourperspectivesandexpertise.
ThepurposeofrestructuringthecurriculumtocreateafreestandingM.S.inCyberOperationsisto1)strengthenthecurriculumandbetteralignitwiththeneedsofemployersviacompetency-basedteachingandlearningapproachesand2)clarifythecontentofthedegreeandsimplifythepathwaytocompletionsothatitcanbemorereadilycommunicatedtoprospectiveandcurrentstudentsandemployers.ThecurrentstructureofhavingtheA.O.C.inInformationAssurancenestedwithintheM.S.inInformationTechnologyplacesanemphasisonthecorecourseworkingeneralInformationTechnologyratherthanonthespecificcontentoftheconcentrationinInformationAssurance.TherevisedprogramstructurebenefitsstudentsandemployersbymoreclearlyfocusingthecontentonInformationAssuranceandCyberOperations.Asaresult,UMUCwillbebetterabletodifferentiatethedegreefromotherswithinitsportfolioofofferingsandensurethecurrencyandrelevancyofthecurriculumrelativetocurrentworkforceandemployerdemands.
TheproposedM.S.inCyberOperationsprogramisaimedatthosewithacademicand/orprofessionalbackgroundsinhands-oncomputersciences.Thetargetedaudienceincludes
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
earlyormid-careerindividualswithexperienceinthemilitary,public,orprivatesectorswhodesiretoexpandtheirknowledgeandskillsetincybersecuritytechnologiesinordertoenhancetheiropportunitiesforspecialoperationsincyberspace.TherevisedM.S.inCyberOperationsisahighlytechnicalprogramgroundedincomputersciences.TheM.S.programisbeingdesignedtomeettherequirementsofNSACentersofExcellenceinCyberOperations,1andisinsupportofthePresident'sNationalInitiativeforCybersecurityEducation(NICE).Theemphasisoftheprogramisontechnologiesandtechniquesrelatedtooperationsincyberspacetoenhancethesecurityofournation.
ThenewprogrambuildsontheexistingA.O.C.byrecombiningcontentoftheexistingthree-creditcoursestocreateanewseriesofsix-creditcourses,refiningandaddingcontentconsistentwithcurrentindustrypracticesandrequisiteknowledgeandskills,andincorporatingnewdeliveryandassessmentmethodsbasedontheprinciplesofproject-andcompetency-basedpedagogy.The6-credithourstructurereflectstheincreasedworkloadrequiredpercourse.Thenewseriesofsixsix-creditcoursewillpresentastreamlinedpathtodegreecompletion.
2. Alignmentwithinstitutionalstrategicgoals
Asthepublicstateandnationalleaderindistanceanddistributededucation,UMUCawardsassociate’s,bachelor’s,master'sanddoctoraldegrees,aswellasundergraduateandpost-baccalaureatecertificates.Theuniversity’sacademicinventoryoffersprogramsthatarecoretoanypublicuniversity,butUMUC’smissiontotheadultstudentresultsinanemphasisonworkforce-relevantprograms.Consequently,theuniversityawardsdegreesandcertificatesintheartsandhumanities,behavioralandsocialsciences,businessandmanagement,health-relatedfields,computing,educationandtechnology,includingdegreesinfieldsfacingcriticalshortages,suchascybersecurity,informationsecurity,andgraduate-levelteacher-traininginSTEMareas.Aspartofitsemphasisonworkforceneeds,UMUCoffersnon-creditprofessionaldevelopmentprogramssuchasthoseinexecutiveleadershipandhostsprofessionalconferencesandmeetingsthatsupporttheeconomicandsocietalneedsoftheState.
ThisproposalalignswithUMUC’smissionbyprovidingalearner-focusedprogrambasedonleading-edgeadultlearningtheoryandcurriculumdesignthataddressestheneedsofstudentsandthecommunity.TherevisedprogramisconsistentwithUMUC’scommitmenttoofferingcurrentandrelevantdegreesthatpreparestudentsfortheworkforce.Studentsaregiventimetopracticeskillsastheyprogressthroughformativeinstructionandengageinauthenticassessmentoflearning.Theprogramwillsupportstudents’professionaldevelopmentwithproject-basedopportunitiestolearnfromemployersandpeers.Theprogrammodeloffersflexibilityandcontinuingeducationopportunitiestoadultsinterestedinrefreshingandreshapingtheircareeropportunities.
1NSACentersofExcellenceinCyberOperationsRequirements:https://www.nsa.gov/resources/educators/centers-academic-excellence/cyber-operations/
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
B. AdequacyofCurriculumDesignandDeliverytoRelatedLearningOutcomes
1. Programrequirements
TheM.S.inCyberOperationsisaninterdisciplinarytechnicalprogramthatprovidesasolidfoundationincompetenciesandskillsrelatedtosecurityprinciplesandarchitecture,networkssecurity,riskanalysis,appliedcryptography,andinformationassurance,cyberlaw,forensics,softwarereverseengineeringandcyberoffense.Theprogramrequiresstudentstodemonstratecompetenciesinhands-oncomputersciences,specificallyinthefollowingareas:(1)C,assemblerandsystemprogramming,(2)operatingsystems,(3)computerarchitecture,(4)mobileandcellularcommunicationsandnetworking,(5)virtualization&cloudcomputing,and(6)discretemathematics.
Thisprogramrevisionrestructuresandenhancestheexistingcurriculumbyincorporatingteaching,learning,andassessmentstrategiesthatfocusonstudentsdevelopingconcrete,job-relatedknowledgeandskills.Therevisedcurriculumisbasedonprinciplesofcompetency-andperformance-basedlearning.Therequiredcompetenciescomprisingtheprogramlearningoutcomeshavebeendevelopedandverifiedwiththehelpofacademicexpertsandemployersanddrivetheprogramcurriculumandassessments.Theapproachislearner-focused,andauthenticassessmentsareembeddedineverystepofthelearningprocess.Throughembeddedassessments,studentsperformreal-worldauthenticproject-basedtasks,demonstratingtheirknowledgeandskillsastheyworktowardmastery.Students“learnbydoing”andgraduatebetterpreparedforworkplaceopportunities.
Asshownbelow,therevisedM.S.inCyberOperations(COP)requiresthecompletionofsix6-creditcoursesforatotalof36credits.Coretotherevisedprogramisa6-creditfoundationalcoursethatisrequiredforallgraduatestudentsandthatcoversessentialintra-andinterpersonalcompetenciesrequiredforsuccessfulgraduateworkandidentifiedbyemployersashighlydesirableingraduates.Thiscourseincludesthecorecompetenciesofwrittenandoralcommunications,criticalthinking,quantitativereasoningandleadership.Theremainingfive6-creditcoursesbuildonthefoundationtocompletethedegree,keepingthetotalnumberofcreditsthesameasintheoriginalA.O.C.offering.ThisrevisedprogramrepresentsUMUC’scommitmenttoofferingcurrentandrelevantdegreestoitsstudents.CoursedescriptionsarepresentedinAppendixA.
RequiredCoursesfortheM.S.inCyberOperations:
• CBR600Communicating,ProblemSolving,andLeadinginCybersecurity(6)• COP610FoundationsofCyberOperations(6)• COP620CybersecurityDefense(6)• COP630CyberLaw&DigitalForensics(6)
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
• COP640SecureSoftware(6)• COP670CyberOffense&Capstone(6)
2. Educationalobjectivesandstudentlearningoutcomes
Throughcompletionofthefoundationalcourse(CBR600),studentswhocompletetheM.S.inCyberOperationswillbeableto:• Communicateclearlybothorallyandinwriting.• Applylogicalprocessestoformulateclear,defensibleideasandtodrawconclusions
basedontheconsiderationofethicalimplications.• Usemathematicalinformation,operationsandquantitativeanalysestosolve
problemsandinformdecision-making.• Lead,facilitate,andcollaboratewithavarietyofindividualsanddiverseteamsto
achieveorganizationalobjectives.
ThroughcompletionofthesequentialCOPcourses,studentswhocompletetheM.S.inCyberOperationswillbeableto:
• Applythesecurityfoundationalknowledgeandskillsincludingsecurityfirstprinciples,accesscontrolandlayereddefenseinprotectinginformationassets.
• Performriskanalysisofinformationsystems.• Leveragecryptographictechniquesforprotectinginformationsystems.• Employtoolsandtechniquesforprotectingenterpriseassetsincludingnetworks,
hostsanddevicesfromcyberthreats.• Carryoutnetwork,mediaandRAMforensicstasksforcommonoperating
systemsanddevices.• Utilizestaticanddynamicanalysistoolstofindsecurityvulnerabilitiesin
software.• Usetoolsandtechniquesforsecuredesignandcodingofsoftware.• Applyreverseengineeringtechniquesformalwareanalysisandgeneration.• Formulateacyber-offensecampaignincompliancewithapplicableU.S.laws.• Carryoutstepsinacyber-offenseexerciseincludingexploitdevelopment,and
networkandwebhacking.
3. Generaleducationrequirements
Notapplicable.
4. Specializedaccreditationorgraduatecertificationrequirements
Notapplicable.
5. Contractualagreementwithotherinstitutions
Notapplicable.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
C. CriticalandCompellingRegionalorStatewideNeedasIdentifiedintheStatePlan
1. Demandandneedfortheprogram
WeuseddataandmodelsofEconomicModelingSpecialistsInternational(EMSI)2toprovideevidenceofprogramdemand.Akeywordsearchonskillsortopicsthattheseprogramsemphasize(e.g.,softwaresecurity,softwarevulnerability,vulnerabilityexploitation,penetrationtesting,ethicalhacking)identified133,367and109,13uniquejobpostingsinthenationandMaryland,respectively,fromFeb.2016toFeb.2017.Marylandranksthirdnationallyinthenumberofjobsadvertisedinthesesearches,nextonlytoVirginiaandCalifornia,asshownbelowinFigure1(thedarkerthecolor,themorethedemandthereis):
Figure1.DemandforSkillsEmphasizedbytheCyberOperationsProgram
State UniquePostings(Feb2016-Feb2017)
Virginia 17,149
California 16,208
Maryland 10,913
Texas 10,444
NewYork 5,560
Thefiveoccupationsthataremostrelevanttothetopicsandskillsemphasizedintheprogram
2EconomicModelingSpecialistsInternational(EMSI):http://www.economicmodeling.com/
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
are:1. InformationSecurityAnalysts2. ComputerandInformationSystemsManagers3. SoftwareDevelopers,Applications4. NetworkandComputerSystemsAdministrators5. ComputerOccupations,AllOther.
TheprojectedgrowthoverthenextfiveyearsforCyberOperationsrelatedoccupationsis9.2%forthenationand6.1%forMarylandasshowninTable1below:
Table1:GrowthofCyberOperationsRelatedOccupationalCategories
2017Jobs 2022Jobs %ChangeNation 1,900,832 2,074,985 9.2%
Maryland 54,264 57,555 6.1%
TheprojectedgrowthfortheoccupationcategoryofInformationSecurityAnalysts,themostrelevantoccupationcategorytothisproposedCyberOperationsprogram,is10%and7%overthisfive-yeartimeperiodforthenationandMaryland,respectively.
Thejobsintheseoccupationscertainlypayaboveaverage.Forexample,themedianand75%earningperhourforInformationSecurityAnalystsinMarylandare$47.43and$61.46,respectively.ThecorrespondingfiguresforInformationSystemsManagersare$67.76and$79.95.Thereisasubstantialgapbetweenjobpostingsinandhiresforthesefiveoccupationcategories.Inanaverage(recent)month,therewere313,662uniquejobpostingsforthesefiveoccupationcategories,and82,108actuallyhirednationwide.Thismeanstherewasapproximately1hireforevery4uniquejobpostingsforthefiveoccupations.IntheoccupationcategoryofInformationSecurityAnalystsalone,thenumberofpostedjobsis30,153,andthenumberofhiresis4,072inanaveragemonth,i.e.,1hireforevery5postedpositions.Itislikelythatpostingsforunfilledpositionskeepreappearinguntiltheyarefilledornolongerneeded.A2014reportbyRandCorporationentitled,“H4cker5Wanted:AnExaminationoftheCybersecurityLaborMarket,”exploresthecurrentstatusofthelabormarketforcybersecurityprofessionals—withanemphasisontheirbeingemployedtodefendtheUnitedStates.3Itconcludesthatthelaborshortageexists,itisworstforthefederalgovernment,anditpotentiallyunderminesthenation’scybersecurity.Thereportobservesthatupper-tiercybersecurityprofessionals—thosewhoarequalifiedtodoforensics,code-writing,orred-teaming,theskillsemphasizedintheproposedCyberOperationsprogram—arethehardesttohireintoday’slabormarket.
3RandCorporationReport:http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR400/RR430/RAND_RR430.pdf
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
2. ConsistencywiththeMarylandStatePlanforPost-SecondaryEducation
Theprogramrevisionisdesignedtomeetpresentandfutureneedsofthestate,asidentifiedinMarylandReady:The2013-2017MarylandStatePlanforPost-SecondaryEducation(StatePlan),bycontinuingtoexpandandenhanceUMUC’sofferingsinSTEMdisciplines,aprominentgoalforpublicinstitutionsincludedintheStatePlan.ThisprogramsupportsmajorgoalsintheStatePlaninanumberofspecificways:
• TheprogramservesGoals1and2(QualityandEffectivenessandAccess,
AffordabilityandCompletion)intheStatePlaninthatitisdesignedtosupportUMUC’soverallmissiontosetaglobalstandardforexcellenceandtoberespectedasaleaderforaffordableandaccessibleadulteducationprograms.Inaddition,UMUCadministersitsprogramstomeetthegoalsoftheEffectivenessandEfficiencyInitiativeoftheUniversitySystemofMarylandBoardofRegents,byemployingdata-drivendecision-makingthatensuresthatacademicprogramsofferhighqualityeducationatanaffordablecosttobroadenaccess.
• TheprogramsupportsGoal3(Diversity)intheStatePlanbyofferingaccessto
educationtodiversepopulationsofstudents.AsshowninTable2below,in2014-2015,thecurrentA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceawarded38%ofitsmaster’sdegreestoAfrican-Americanstudentsand8%ofitsmaster’sdegreestoHispanicstudents,compared,respectively,to18%and4%forMarylandinstitutionsasawhole.UMUCiscommittedtomaintainingitspositioninservingtheeducationalneedsofminoritystudents.
Table2.PercentageofMaster’sDegreesAwardedtoSelectedStudentSubpopulations,2014-20154%ofMaster’sDegreesAwarded
Maryland
InstitutionsinTotal
UMUC,AllPrograms
UMUC,CurrentA.O.C.in
InformationAssurance
Black/AfricanAmericanStudents
18% 35% 38%
Hispanic/LatinoStudents 4% 6% 8%
• TheprogramservesGoal4(Innovation)intheStatePlan,asitisbasedonprinciplesofcompetency-andperformance-basedlearningthatareattheforefrontofdevelopmentsinhighereducation.Competency-basedlearningisanoutcomes-basedapproachtoeducationthatemphasizeswhatstudentsshouldknowandbeabletodotobesuccessfulintheirdisciplines.Theapproachislearner-focusedand
4Source:2016MHECDataBookandUMUC'sFY15DIS.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
authenticassessment(themeasurementofwhatstudentshavelearnedandthecompetenciesstudentsmaster)isembeddedineverystepofthelearningprocesstoassiststudentsinbuildingreal-world,job-relevantcompetenciesinrealtime.Therevisedprogramemploysauthenticassessmentsthatarerelevanttotasksthatgraduateswillactuallyperformonthejob;suchprojectsserveasboththemeansofinstructionandassessmentoflearningintheprogram.Enhancedlearningresourcesandmultiplemeansforsupportingstudentsastheyprogressthroughtheirlearningexperiencesaredevelopedtoimproveretentionandstudentsuccess.Themethodologyandtheon-demandnatureofthesupportareinnovativeinthefieldofhighereducationandonlinelearning,andreflectcurrentbestpracticesinadultlearning.Thereisalsoinnovationinthesubjectmatter.Teachingandlearningemphasizesthemoral,ethicalandlegalaspectsofcyberwarfareandtechniquesforexploitationinthetrainingofcyberwarriorsandplannersforcybercampaigns.AllthesetopicsareevolvingnotjustatUMUC,butintheentirecybercommunityandthenation.
• TheprogramservesGoal5(EconomicGrowthandVitality)intheStatePlan,inthatitisdesignedtobetteralignthecompetenciesandskillsofgraduatestotheneedsofindustryandemployers.Indevelopingtheprogramrevisions,programadministratorsmetwithemployersandotherexpertstodeterminethecompetenciesandskillsdesiredintheworkplace.Thisworkresultedinaspecificsetofcompetenciesforthedegreeprogramuponwhichlearningoutcomesandlearningdemonstrations(authenticassessments)weredeveloped.Studentswillbeevaluatedbasedontheirmasteryofthecompetenciesexhibitedthroughlearningdemonstrations.TheGraduateSchoolalsoconductedfocusgroupswithemployerstoidentifytheintra-andinterpersonalprofessionalskillsmostdesiredintoday’sgraduatesandincorporateddevelopmentoftheseskillsintothecurricula.Theseeffortsensurecloseralignmentofgraduateskillsanddispositions(attitudes)toemployerneedsthanunderpriorlearningmodels.
• TheprogramservesGoal6(DataUseandDistribution)intheStatePlan.Therevisionoftheprogramtowardacompetency-basedlearningmethodologyplacesmoreemphasisonthemonitoringofstudentandprogramprogressacrossskills.Studentperformancewillbemonitoredviawell-vettedcompetencyrubricscapableofreportingonareasofexcellenceandneedsforimprovement.Aggregateddatacanbeusedtoinformshort-andlong-termimprovementplansforstudents,programs,andpolicies.Robustdatasystemswillofferinsightsthatmayassistinidentifyingpopulationsthatneedadditionalsupportandinclosingachievementgapsforunderrepresentedpopulations.
D. QuantifiableandReliableEvidenceandDocumentationofMarketSupply&Demandin theRegionandState
1. MarketDemand
Table3belowshowstheemploymentoutlookinMarylandandtheDCMetroareaforgraduates
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
ofprogramsinoccupationsalignedwiththeproposedprogram.Theprojected10-yeardemandshowninTable3isdrawnfromtheEMSIemploymentprojectionsfor2016-2026.Table3liststheCyberOperationsprogram’stopfiveoccupations.
Table3:EmploymentProjections,Years2017and2026,forFiveCyberOperationsRelatedOccupations
SOCCode
OccupationalCategory
Maryland TheDCMetroArea2017 2026 10-Yr
Change2017 2026 10
YearChange
15-1122 InformationSecurityAnalysts
3,508 3,887 10.80% 15,849 17,194 8.48%
11-3021 ComputerandInformationSystems
Managers
9,428 10,509 11.47% 28,281 31,380 10.96%
15-1132 SoftwareDevelopers,Applications
13,470 15,942 18.35%
54,279 61,856 13.96%
15-1142 NetworkandComputerSystemsAdministrators
13,106 13,840 5.6% 37,515 39,503 5.31%
15-1199 ComputerOccupations,AllOther
14,752 15,400 4.39% 39,632 40,378 1.88%
Total 54,264 59,579 9.79% 175,556 190,310 8.41%
Thedatainthetabledemonstratethepotentialfor5,315(59,579–54,264)and14,754(190,310–175,556)newpositionsinMarylandandtheDCMetroarea,respectively,inthefivemostrelevantoccupationsforwhichtheproposedprogramwillpreparegraduates.
CareerrolesortitlesforstudentsgraduatingfromtheM.S.inCyberOperationsprograminclude,amongothers:
• InformationSecurityAnalyst/CybersecurityAnalyst(IncidentAnalyst,ThreatAnalyst,VulnerabilityAnalyst,IntelligenceAnalyst,MalwareAnalyst,ForensicAnalyst,FocusedOperationsAnalyst)
• CybersecurityEngineer• InformationSecurityManager• SecurityArchitect
2. Educationalandtrainingneeds
InformationSecurityAnalystjobsareclassifiedbytheU.S.DepartmentofLaborasrequiringextensivepreparationandwork-relatedskillandknowledge,mostofwhichrequireatleastafour-yearbachelor’sdegreeinComputerScience.InformationSecurityAnalystsneedtobeproficientinmultiplecomputer-and-electronicsareas,networks,administrationandmanagement,criticalthinking,complexproblemsolving,and
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
problemsensitivity.Thesepositionsalsodemandstrongwrittenandoralcomprehension,deductivereasoning,inductivereasoning,communication,andanalyticskills.(BureauofLaborStatistics,U.S.DepartmentofLabor.OccupationalOutlookHandbook,2016-17Edition).
3. Prospectivegraduates
Thefollowingenrollmentprojectionsarebaseduponexpectedcompletionoftheprogramintwoyears,withstudentsenrollinginanaverageof18semesterhoursperyear.Thereare448students(asofSpring2017)enrolledinthevariouscoursesoftheprogram.Thoseexistingstudentswillbegivenanopportunitytocompletetheirdegreesunderthecurrentcurriculumandarenotincludedinthetablebelow.
Table4:ProjectedEnrollmentinProgramYearsOnethroughFiveProjectedEnrollment YearOne YearTwo YearThree YearFour YearFiveFirstYearStudents 50 55 60 65 70SecondYearStudents 0 48 53 58 63TotalStudents 50 103 113 123 133
Itisanticipatedthatapproximately60-70degreeswillbeawardedeachyearaftertheprogramisestablishedandreachessteadystate.
E. ReasonablenessofProgramDuplication
1. Similarprogramsinthestate
AsearchoftheMHECprograminventory5revealednomaster’sdegreeprogramsinMarylandfocusedonCyberOperations.However,therearethreeprogramsthathavecomponentsthatoverlapwiththeproposedUMUCCyberOperationsprogram,asshowninTable5below:
5MHECprograminventory:http://data.mhec.state.md.us/macAux.asp#api
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
*TheCIPcodeandHEGISaswellasthenumberofdegreesawarded,aslistedintheMHECtrenddatabase,isforallengineeringdegreesatUMCP.ThedataisnotavailableforthisCybersecurityprogramalone.ThecolumnsontherightofTable5showtheannualnumberofdegreesawardedbytheseprogramsinMaryland.Thesedatademonstratethattheseprogramsyieldedatotalof543Master’sdegreesintheyears2012-2016.ThislevelofdegreeproductionisinsufficienttomeettheemploymentprojectionspresentedinTable3foroccupationsthatarealignedwiththeCyberOperationsprogrambeingproposed.Thecybersecurityjobsrequiredforthemilitary,intelligenceandlawenforcementcommunitiescannotbeoutsourced,andcriticalshortageoftheseskillsisexpectedtocontinue.
2. Programjustification/ReasonablenessofProgramDuplication
Attheoutset,theM.S.programinCyberOperationsisbeingdesignedtomeettherequirementsofNSACentersofExcellenceinCyberOperations.Itcoversbothcyberdefenseandcyberoffensetechniques,withaparticularemphasisonsecuresoftwareengineeringandexploitingsoftwarevulnerabilities.Itisahands-onprogramtotrainthosewhowillbedefendingthenationincyberspace.Theprogramistargetedtomeettheneedsoflawenforcement,military,andintelligencecommunitiesofthenation.TheprogramsthatarelistedinTable5andtowhichtheUMUCprogramiscomparedinmoredetailinthesubsequenttablesaremostlyfocusedoncyberdefense,asopposedtocyberoperationsmorebroadly,whichisthefocusofthe
6Source:MHECHigherEducationTrendData,http://data.mhec.state.md.us/macAux.asp#api
Table5:NumberofDegreesAwarded,ByYear,inSimilarMaster’sDegreeProgramsinMaryland6
CIPCode HEGIS Institution Credential ProgramTitle
Year
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
119999 070116
CapitolTechnologyUniversity(CTU)
MasterofScience
CyberandInformationSecurity
89 81 83 88 63
111003
070117
JohnsHopkinsUniversity(JHU)
MasterofScience
SecurityInformatics 29 23 25 31 31
NotAvailable
*
NotAvailable
*
UniversityofMaryland,CollegePark(UMCP)
MasterofEngineering Cybersecurity NotAvailable*
Total 118 104 108 119 94
CumulativeTotaloverFiveYears 543
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
proposedUMUCprogram.Consequently,theproposedUMUCprogramiswellpositionedtofillamajorvoidinthenation’scybersecurityeducation.Theseprograms,however,dohavesomeoverlapwithtopicareasoftheCyberOperationsprogram.Table6contrastsUMUC’sproposedM.S.inCyberOperationswiththeCTU’sM.S.inCyberandInformationSecurity
Table6:ComparisonofUMUCMaster’sinCyberOperationstoCapitolTechnologyUniversity(CTU)’sMaster’sinCyberandInformationSecurity UMUCM.S.inCyber
OperationsCapitolTechnologyUniversity(CTU)’sMaster’sinCyberandInformationSecurity
DegreeRequirementsandStructure(numberofcredits,asinglerequiredsequencevs.electives)
36creditsAsinglesequenceofsix6-creditcourses,noelectives
36-39credits;allcoursesare3-creditcourses24to27creditcorecurriculum,plus12creditsofelectivesTheprogramisdesignatedasanNSA/DHSCenterofExcellenceinCyberDefense(butnotCyberOperations).
Delivery(onsitevs.online)
Online(asynchronous);noonsiterequirements
Onlinewithasynchronouscomponent,i.e.,livesessionsonSaturdaysandweekdayevenings.
Enrollment(full-timevs.part-time)
Moststudentsarepart-time(6creditsperterm)
Full-timeandpart-timestudents
AdmissionsRequirements/TargetAudience
UMUCisanopen-admissioninstitution.FortheMSCOP,studentsmustdemonstratecompetenciesinreal-worldcomputersciences,specificallyinthefollowingareas:(1)C,assemblerandsystemprogramming,(2)operatingsystems,(3)computerarchitecture,(4)mobileandcellularcommunicationsandnetworking,(5)virtualization&cloudcomputing,and(6)discretemathematics.(Amissingproficiencycanbe
Backgroundincomputerinformationsystems,computernetworking,telecommunications,informationtechnology,networksecurity,orcomputerscience.UndergraduatedegreewithacumulativeGPAofnolessthan3.0ona4.0scale.Targetedatbothfull-time,andpart-timeworkingprofessionals
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
acquiredfromoneormorecoursesfromUMUC’sundergraduateschool.)Targetedatworkingprofessionalswithpriorexperienceinthefield
PrimaryPointsofDifferentiationinRequirementsandTargetAudience:TheUMUCprogramiscompletelyasynchronous.Thisprovidesextremeflexibilityforworkingprofessionalsandactivemilitaryandintelligencepersonnelstationedthroughouttheworld.CIPCode 111003
Title:ComputerandInformationSystemsSecurity/InformationAssuranceDefinition:Aprogramthatpreparesindividualstoassessthesecurityneedsofcomputerandnetworksystems,recommendsafeguardsolutions,andmanagetheimplementationandmaintenanceofsecuritydevices,systems,andprocedures.Includesinstructionincomputerarchitecture,programming,andsystemsanalysis;networking;telecommunications;cryptography;securitysystemdesign;applicablelawandregulations;riskassessmentandpolicyanalysis;contingencyplanning;useraccessissues;investigationtechniques;andtroubleshooting.
119999Title:ComputerandInformationSciencesandSupportServices,Other.Definition:Anyinstructionalprogramincomputerandinformationsciencesandsupportservicesnotlistedinotherprogramsunderthebroadcategory,11:ComputerandInformationSciencesandSupportServices.
PrimaryPointsofDifferentiationinCIP:ThisCTUprogrambeganin2002.TheCIPcode119999hasbeenusedtocapturethethen-evolvingarea,CyberandInformationSecurity,inthebroadercategoryofComputerandInformationSciences.TheCIPcodefortheUMUCprogram,111003,capturesskillsandtechnologiesforthecurrentstateofcybersecurity.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
PedagogyandLearningModel
Thecurriculumisbasedonprinciplesofcompetency-andperformance-basedlearningandauthenticassessmentsareembeddedthroughout;students“learnbydoing”throughscenario-basedprojectsgroundedinreal-worldsituationsandproblemsandusinginteractivetoolsandcasestudieswhichincorporateappliedlearning.Foundationaltotheprogramisafirstcoursethatcoversthecorecompetenciesofwrittenandoralcommunications,criticalthinking,quantitativereasoningandleadership.Fiveadditional6-creditcoursesfordomain-specificcompetencyandskills.
Theprogramfocusesondomain-specificskillsandprojectmanagement;theprogramemphasizesapplication-basedlaboratoryexercises.
ProgramContent TheM.S.inCyberOperationsfocusesonbothcyberoffenseandcyberdefense.Groundedinreal-world,authenticprojects,itisaninterdisciplinaryprogramthatprovidesasolidfoundationincompetenciesandskillsrelatedto:securityprinciplesandarchitecture;networkssecurity;riskanalysis;appliedcryptography;digitalforensics;design,implementationandanalysisofsecuresoftware;reverseengineeringformalwareanalysis;lawsandethicsrelatedtocyberoffensivecampaigns;andcyberoffenseskillsthatincludesurveillance,targeting,
24-27creditcorecurriculuminInformationAssuranceandCybersecuritywith12creditsofelectivesfromtheareasofNetworkOperations,NetworkEngineering,InformationAssurance,SoftwareAssurance,andProjectmanagementandWriting.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
penetration,andexploitation.
PrimaryPointsofDifferentiationinPedagogy/LearningModelandContent:UMUC’sprogramusesalearningmodelbasedontheprinciplesofcompetency-andperformance-basedlearning.ItscontentisablendofcoursesinbothcyberdefenseandoffensetosatisfytherequirementsoftheNSACentersofExcellenceinCyberOperations.ThecorecoursesoftheCTUprogramareincyberdefenseonly.
Table7contrastsUMUC’sM.S.inCyberOperationswiththeJHU’sM.S.inCyberandInformationSecurity.
Table7:ComparisonofUMUCM.S. inCyberOperationstoJohnsHopkinsUniversity(JHU)’sMasterofScienceinSecurityInformatics UMUCM.S.inCyber
OperationsJohnsHopkinsUniversity(JHU)’sMasterofScienceinSecurityInformatics(MSSI)
DegreeRequirementsandStructure(numberofcredits,asinglerequiredsequencevs.electives)
36creditsAsinglesequenceofsix6-creditcourses,noelectives
10courses,eachof3ormorecredithours,plusacapstoneproject;studentscanchoosebetweentwotracks–Technology&ResearchTrackorPolicy&ManagementTrack.
Delivery(onsitevs.online)
Online(asynchronous);noonsiterequirements
Onsite
Enrollment(full-timevs.part-time)
Moststudentsarepart-time(6creditsperterm)
Full-time,three-semesterprogram
AdmissionsRequirements/TargetAudience
UMUCisanopen-admissioninstitution.FortheMSCOP,studentsmustdemonstratecompetenciesinreal-worldcomputersciences,specificallyinthefollowingareas:(1)C,assemblerandsystemprogramming,(2)operatingsystems,(3)computerarchitecture,(4)mobileandcellularcommunicationsandnetworking,(5)virtualization
Knowledgeincomputerarchitecture/networking,programming,datastructures,anddiscretemath.Thiscanbeshownthroughcoursesandinsomecasesthroughworkingexperienceandprofessionalcertification.GREGeneralTest–Verbal:153(62%),Quantitative:160(84%),Analytical:3.5.Targetedatfull-timestudents
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
&cloudcomputing,and(6)discretemathematics.(AmissingproficiencycanbeacquiredfromoneormorecoursesfromUMUC’sundergraduateschool.)
Targetedatpart-time,workingadultswithpriorexperienceinthefield.
PrimaryPointsofDifferentiationinRequirementsandTargetAudience:TheUMUCprogram’sstructureandadmissionsrequirementstargetworkingadultswhereastheJHUprogramisafull-time,on-site,three-semesterprogram.CIPCode 111003(same) 111003(same)
PedagogyandLearningModel
Thecurriculumisbasedonprinciplesofcompetency-andperformance-basedlearningandauthenticassessmentsareembeddedthroughout;students“learnbydoing.”Foundationaltotheprogramisafirstcoursethatcoversthecorecompetenciesofwrittenandoralcommunications,criticalthinking,quantitativereasoningandleadership.Fiveadditional6-creditcoursesfordomain-specificcompetencyandskills.
Theprogramfocusisonthedomain-specificskillsusingtheInstructor-ledonsiteclassroom-learningmodel.Researchandprofessionalopportunitiestosupplementclassroomlearning
ProgramContent TheM.S.inCyberOperationsfocusesonbothcyberoffenseandcyberdefense.Groundedinreal-world,authenticprojects,itisaninterdisciplinaryprogramthatprovidesasolidfoundationincompetenciesandskillsrelatedto:securityprinciplesandarchitecture;networkssecurity;riskanalysis;appliedcryptography;digital
Coursesaredividedintoseveralcategoriesincluding:(1)CoreTechnology,(2)ElectiveTechnology,(3)CorePolicy,and(4)ElectivePolicy/Health/Management.ForbothPolicyandTechnologytracks,coursesarerequiredfrombothcores.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
forensics;design,implementationandanalysisofsecuresoftware;reverseengineeringformalwareanalysis;lawsandethicsrelatedtocyberoffensivecampaigns;andcyberoffenseskillsthatincludesurveillance,targeting,penetration,andexploitation.
PrimaryPointsofDifferentiationinPedagogy/LearningModelandContent:UMUC’sprogramusesalearningmodelbasedontheprinciplesofcompetency-andperformance-basedlearning.ItisablendofcoursesinbothcyberdefenseandoffensetosatisfytherequirementsoftheNSACentersofExcellenceinCyberOperations.Studentsreceivebroadtrainingincyberoffenselaws,reverseengineeringandexploitationthroughsoftwarevulnerabilities,givingtheprogramanemphasisoncyberoffenseaswellasdefense.TheJHUMSSIprogramfocusesprimarilyoncyberdefensewithcoursesrequiredinbothtechnologyandpolicytracks,withonecoretechnologycourseonethicalhackingatJHU.ItisnotcleartowhatextenttheJHUprogramcanbetailoredtomeettheNSACenterofExcellenceinCyberOperationswithin30credithoursgivenotherexistingrequirements.
Note:JohnsHopkinsUniversityalsooffersanonlineMaster’sprogramincybersecuritywithspecializationinoneofthreetracks:(1)Analysis,(2)Networksand(3)Systems,withflexibilitytotailortheprogramtoone’sownneeds.ItisnotcleartowhatextentthisprogramcanbetailoredtomeettheNSACenterofExcellenceinCyberOperationswithin30credithours.Additionally,certainkeyareasofcyberoffense,includingmalwareanalysisandexploitation,andlawsorcyberoffensedonotappeartobecoveredinthisprogram’scourseofferings.Table8contrastsUMUC’sM.S.inCyberOperationswithUMCP’sM.S.inCyberandInformationSecurity.
Table8:ComparisonofUMUCM.S.inCyberOperationstoUniversityofMaryland,CollegePark(UMCP)’sMasterofEngineeringinCybersecurity UMUCM.S.inCyber
OperationsUniversityofMaryland,CollegePark(UMCP)’sProfessionalMasterofEngineering(M.Eng.)inCybersecurity
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
DegreeRequirementsandStructure(numberofcredits,asinglerequiredsequencevs.electives)
36creditsAsinglesequenceofsix6-creditcourses,noelectives.
30creditswithsixrequired3credit-hourcoursesand12credit-hoursofelectives
Delivery(onsitevs.online)
Online(asynchronous);noonsiterequirements
Coursesareofferedonsitewithvideoconferencingforremotecampusesandwebcastfordelayedviewing.
Enrollment(full-timevs.part-time)
Moststudentsarepart-time(6creditsperterm)
Part-timeandfull-time
AdmissionsRequirements/TargetAudience
UMUCisanopen-admissioninstitution.FortheMSCOP,studentsmustdemonstratecompetenciesinreal-worldcomputersciences,specificallyinthefollowingareas:(1)C,assemblerandsystemprogramming,(2)operatingsystems,(3)computerarchitecture,(4)mobileandcellularcommunicationsandnetworking,(5)virtualization&cloudcomputing,and(6)discretemathematics.(AmissingproficiencycanbeacquiredfromoneormorecoursesfromUMUC’sundergraduateschool.)Targetedatworkingprofessionalswithpriorexperienceinthefield
FullAdmission:Bachelor'sdegreeinEngineering,ComputerScience,AppliedMathematics,orPhysics,fromanaccreditedinstitution,withaGPAof3.0orbetter;ProvisionalAdmission:Bachelor’sinarelatedfieldofstudy(i.e.InformationTechnology,InformationAssurance,andComputerInformationSystems),andaGPAof3.0orbetter.Mustalsopossessatleastone(1)ofthefollowingcertifications:CompTIASecurity+,GIACGSEC,orCertifiedEthicalHackercertification.ApplicantsadmittedwithProvisionalAdmissionwillneedtocompletetwocorecourseswithatleastaBorbetterineachcourse.SpecialAdmission:Bachelor’sdegreeinotherfieldsofstudywithaminimum3.0GPA,oneofthecertifications:CompTIASecurity+,GIACGSEC,orCertifiedEthicalHackercertification,and2+years’workexperience(afterthecompletionoftheBachelor’sdegree)inInformation
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
Technologyorothercloselyrelatedfield.ApplicantsadmittedthroughSpecialadmissionwillneedtocompletetwocorecourseswithatleastaBorbetterineachcoursetobefullyadmitted.Targetedatworkingprofessionals
PrimaryPointsofDifferentiationinRequirementsandTargetAudience:TheUMCPprogramemphasizestheattainmentofspecificskills,certifications,andeducationalexperienceforadmissions.TheUMUCprogramtakesadifferentapproach,requiringthatcertaincompetenciesbedemonstratedtoentertheprogram.TheUMUCprogramdoesnotrequirespecificcredentials.PedagogyandLearningModel
Thecurriculumisbasedonprinciplesofcompetency-andperformance-basedlearningandauthenticassessmentsareembeddedthroughout;students“learnbydoing”throughscenario-basedprojectsgroundedinreal-worldsituationsandproblemsandusinginteractivesimulationtoolsandcasestudieswhichincorporateappliedlearning.Foundationaltotheprogramisafirstcoursethatcoversthecorecompetenciesofwrittenandoralcommunications,criticalthinking,quantitativereasoningandleadership.Fiveadditional6-creditcoursesfordomain-specificcompetencyandskills.
Theprogramfocusisonthedomain-specificskills.Onsiteclassroominstructionalmodelextendedtosupportdistanceandtime-delayedcontentpresentationandinteraction.Thelearningmodelalsousesseveralasynchronousformsofinteractions:chat,bulletinboard,videochat,grouppresentation,anddiscussionsessions
ProgramContent TheM.S.inCyberOperationsfocusesonbothcyberoffenseandcyberdefense.Groundedinreal-world,authenticprojects,itisaninterdisciplinaryprogramthatprovidesasolidfoundationincompetenciesandskillsrelatedto:securityprinciples
Thefivecorecoursesemphasizecyberdefense.Thecorecoursesare:SecurityToolsforInformationSecurity;InformationAssurance;ProgramminginCforCybersecurityApplications;NetworkSecurity;Networksand
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
andarchitecture;networkssecurity;riskanalysis;appliedcryptography;digitalforensics;design,implementationandanalysisofsecuresoftware;reverseengineeringformalwareanalysis;lawsandethicsrelatedtocyberoffensivecampaigns;andcyberoffenseskillsthatincludesurveillance,targeting,penetration,andexploitation.
Protocols;SecureOperatingSystems;12creditsofelectives
PrimaryPointsofDifferentiationinPedagogy/LearningModelandContent:TheUMUCprogrammeetstherequirementsoftheNSACentersofExcellenceinCyberOperations.TheUMCPMasterofEngineeringinCybersecurityprogramdoesnotappeartobestructuredtomeettherequirementsoftheNSACentersofExcellenceinCyberOperations(asdescribedonUMCPprogramwebsite,notallskillsandtopicsidentifiedbytheCenteraskeytocyberoperationsappeartobeofferedintheprogram;manyofthosethatareappeartobecoveredthroughelectivecoursesandnocourseisofferedoncyberoffensetechniquesandlaws).
Threeothercyber-relatedprogramsinthestateareverydifferentfromUMUC’sproposedprogram.BelowisasynopsisofhowUMUC’sproposedprogramdiffersfromtheseprograms:
• MasterofProfessionalStudies,UniversityofMaryland,BaltimoreCounty(UMBC):TheUMBCCybersecurityprogramisa10course,30creditprogramthatbalancestechnicalandnon-technicalaspectsofcybersecurity.Itincludesapolicycourseoncyberwarfarebutdoesnotappeartoincludecoursestotraincyberwarriorsinareassuchassoftwaresecurity,digitalforensics,andmalwareanalysisandexploitation.UMUC’sfullyonlineprogramprovidesflexibilityintimeandspaceforworkingprofessionalscomparedtotheonsiteinstructionalmodelatUMBC.
• M.S.inCybersecurityEngineeringTechnology,UniversityofMarylandEasternShore:ThefocusoftheUniversityofMaryland,EasternShoreprogramisnetworksecurityandsecurityadministration.Thereisnoemphasisonoffense,softwaresecurity,forensicsandotherareasemphasizedintheUMUCCyberOperationsprogram.
• M.S.inCyberForensics,StevensonUniversity:TheStevensonUniversityprogramisdevotedtocyberforensics.Theprogramgoal,asstatedontheprogram’swebsite,istotraintechnologyprofessionalstopreserve,acquire,analyze,interpret,anddocumentcriticalforensicfindingsforuseinlegalandcomputersecurityproceedings.Forensicsplaysanimportantroleincyberoperations,butcyberoperationsencompassmanyotherdimensionsanddomains.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
F. RelevancetoHistoricallyBlackInstitutions(HBIs)
AsearchoftheMHECinventoryofapprovedacademicprogramsinMarylandfoundnograduateprogramsinCyberOperationsorCybersecurityOperationsthatwouldbeconsideredduplicativewiththisproposedUMUCprogram.ThisincludesthefourHistoricallyBlackInstitutionsinMaryland(BowieStateUniversity,CoppinStateUniversity,UniversityofMarylandEasternShore,orMorganStateUniversity).Thus,UMUC’sproposedprogramwillhavenoimpactontheuniquenessandinstitutionalidentitiesandmissionsoftheHBIs,andwillnotharmtheseschoolsorotherinstitutionsinMaryland.
G. EvidenceofPrinciplesofGoodPractice
Theproposedprogramwillbeofferedfullyonline.UMUC’sapproachtoonlinelearningistoprovideahighlyinteractiveenvironmentthatsupportsthedevelopmentofcompetenciesinwrittenandoralcommunication,criticalthinking,quantitativereasoning,leadershipanddisciplineknowledge–thefivegraduatelearningareasidentifiedasinstitutional-levellearningoutcomesbytheuniversity’sInstitutionalPlanfortheAssessmentofStudentLearning(http://www.umuc.edu/visitors/about/ipra/learning-outcomes.cfm).
1. CurriculumandInstruction
UMUCiscommittedtoprovidingthebestonlineteachingandlearningpossibleandtoexcellenceinallofitsprograms.Thereisnodifferenceincoherence,cohesiveness,oracademicrigorbetweenprogramsofferedintraditionalinstructionalformatsandthoseofferedonline.Eachprogramisdesignedtoresultinlearningoutcomesappropriatetotherigorandbreadthoftheprogramandallprogramsassessstudentachievementofdefinedlearningoutcomesthroughregularandformalassessmentplanning.Onlineandonsitecoursesandprogramsarefullyalignedandintegrated--designedaroundthesamelearningoutcomesandprinciples,overseenandtaughtbythesamefaculty,heldtothesamestandards,andassessedinthesameway.
AllofUMUC’sonlinecourseshavebeendesignedbyfacultymembersinappropriatedisciplinesincollaborationwithinstructionaldesignersandotherexpertsinthefield.Courselearningoutcomesandcoursedescriptionsarethesameforeverysectionofthecourse.Thelearningoutcomesforeachcoursearethefoundationofthecourse;theteachingandlearningactivities,assessmentsandcontentofthecourseareinalignmentwiththeoutcomesandprovideaclearpathwayformasteryoftheoutcomes.
2. RoleandMission
AllprogramsatUMUCaredesignedtobeconsistentwiththemissionoftheinstitution.Eachprogramhasamissionandprogramoutcomesalignedtotheuniversitymissionasdescribedinthecatalog.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
AllexistingUMUCprogramsaresubjecttoperiodicacademicprogramreviews,includingthereviewoftheappropriatenessofthetechnologybeingusedtomeetaprogram’sobjectives.ThescheduleandresultsofperiodicacademicprogramreviewsarereportedtotheUniversitySystemofMaryland(USM).
3. FacultySupport
AllUMUCfacultyaretrainedtoteachonline,includingtrainingintheuseofthelearningmanagementsystemaswellasinthepedagogyofdistanceeducation.Additionally,facultyhavetheopportunityforadditionaltrainingsthroughoutthecourseoftheiremploymentwithUMUC.Allfacultyhave24/7accesstosupportservicesforbothon-siteandon-linecourses,includingthelearningmanagementsystem.
Aspartoftheirformaltraining,newgraduatefacultybecomefamiliarwiththeexpectationsthatTheGraduateSchoolhassetforthemaswellastheirstudents.ProgramChairs,theadministratorsresponsibleformanagingthefacultyandallaspectsofanacademicprogram,reinforcetheseexpectationsintheirregularreviewsofandcommunicationswiththeirfaculty.
AdditionalsupportisprovidedthroughworkshopsofferedbytheUniversity’sFacultyDevelopmentunit,aswellasonlinecoachingandmentoringprogramsforfaculty(http://www.umuc.edu/faculty/facsupport/).UMUC’slearningmanagementsystemprovidesappropriatereal-timeandasynchronousinteractionbetweenfacultyandstudentsinonlineclasses,aswellasaccesstocoursematerialsandawidearrayofonlinelibraryresources.Allonlineclasseshaveconferencesinwhichstudentsinteractwithfacultyandwitheachother.
4. StudentsandStudentServices
UMUCprovidesallstudentswithclear,complete,andtimelyinformationonthecurriculum,courseanddegreerequirements,natureoffaculty/studentinteraction,assumptionsabouttechnologycompetenceandskills,technicalequipmentrequirements,learningmanagementsystem,availabilityofacademicsupportservicesandfinancialaidresources,andcostsandpaymentpolicies.StudentshaveaccesstothecompleterangeofstudentservicesavailableatUMUCinsupportoftheirdistanceeducationactivities.Allstudentsareprovidedwiththeacademicsupporttheyneedtobesuccessfulintheonlineenvironment.
Theprogrambuildsona6-creditfoundationalcoursethatprovidesaspringboardforacademicandprofessionalsuccess.Studentsbegintopracticeprerequisiteskillsrelatedtheirprofessions,createbeneficialsocialnetworksandpresence,anddevelopandexercisemoralandethicaldecision-making.Throughtheseactivities,theyrefreshandrefinetheirskillsincommunication,criticalthinking,quantitativereasoningandteamleadership.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
Alladvertising,recruiting,andadmissionsmaterialsarethesameforallstudents,andaccuratelyrepresentprogramsandservicesavailable.Fullinformationisavailableatwww.UMUC.edu.
5. CommitmenttoSupport
InaccordancewithUMUCpolicies,theteachingeffectivenessofallfacultyisevaluatedonanongoingbasis.Further,facultyresearch,publicationsandotherformsofscholarship,aswellasadministrative,professionalandserviceactivitiesandcontributionscommensuratewiththeprogram,schoolandinstitutionmissionsareconsideredaspartoffacultypromotion.
Inherentinpursuitoftheinstitutionalmissionandreflectedininstitutionalbusinesspractices,UMUCiscommittedtoinvestingtherequisiteresourcestodeliveringhigh-qualityacademicprogramsthataredirectlycareer-relevant,andsupportingtheneedsofstudents,employersandotherstakeholderstocontinuallyreviewandrefinethoseprogramstofacilitatestudentdegreecompletionandcareer-readiness.
6. EvaluationandAssessment
Studentshavetheopportunitytoevaluatecoursesandfacultythroughastandardevaluationprocess.Inaddition,facultyareevaluatedbytheirsupervisorsonapre-determinedscheduleusingastandardevaluationinstrumentemployingdirectobservation.Formalevaluationofstudentlearningoccurswithincoursesandprogramsviaannualreviewofstudentperformanceinauthenticlearningdemonstrations.Learninggoalsandcompetenciesarealignedtolearningdemonstrationsthatcomprisethecurriculum.Annually,studentperformanceacrosslearningdemonstrationsisevaluatedtodeterminewhereimprovementsmayberequired.Changesaremadetocurriculumand/orstudentsupportmodels.Theprocesssupportsacontinuouscycleofimprovement.Additionalevaluationincludestrackingofstudentretention,gradedistributionsandcost-effectiveness.Regularacademicprogramreviewsconsiderallfactorsrelatedtoacademicquality,curriculumcurrencyandrelevance,studentsupportandadequacyoffacilities.
H. AdequacyofFacultyResources
UMUC’smodelemploysfull-timefaculty(knownascollegiatefaculty)infacultyleadershiproles,suchasViceDeansandProgramChairs,whohaveresponsibilityfortheoverallintellectualcoherenceandintegrityoftheprogram.Othercollegiatefacultyteachandserveinotherrolesthatmaintainandsupporttheacademicprograms,providinginputintothedesignandcontentoftheprogramandtheir
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
courses.Thiscoregroupofcollegiatefacultyissmall(about10percentofthetotalfaculty).InkeepingwithUMUC’semphasisonworkplacerelevance,mostteachingfacultyareprofessionalsintheirfieldwhoteachpart-timeforUMUC.Theseadjunctfacultyprovideinstructionforthegreatmajorityofcoursesatalllevelsandinallprograms.ThismodelisresponsibleforoneofUMUC’sgreateststrengths:scholar-practitionerfacultywhohavesolidacademiccredentialsbutcontinuetoworkoutsidetheuniversity,providingacontinuousinfusionofcurrentworkplaceknowledgeaswellasmaximumflexibilityforadaptingtochangingstudentdemand.Inthisway,UMUCsupportsstudentsinalearningexperiencethatispracticalandrelevanttotoday’scompetitiveandevolvingglobalmarketplace.ManyadjunctshaveconsiderableexperiencewithUMUC.Asof2015,theaveragelongevityforanadjunctfacultymemberissixyears,and17percentofcurrentadjunctfacultyhavebeenwithUMUCmorethan10years.Collegiateandadjunctfacultybothholdacademicrankandtitle,basedontheiracademicqualificationsandprofessionalexperience,includingteachingexperienceatUMUC.Since1996UMUChasheldaMHEC-approvedwaiveroftheCodeofMaryland(COMAR)requirementsfortotalcredithourstaughtbyfull-timefaculty(AppendixB).ThecentralityandappropriatenessofUMUC’sfacultymodelrelativetoitseducationalmandateandmissionwasreaffirmedbyMHECinthemostrecentreviewofmissionstatements,asevidencedinthefollowingexcerptfromtheCommission’sreport:
UMUCintentionallyseekshighly-qualifiedfull-timeandadjunctfacultywhohavehands-onexperienceinthedisciplinestheyteachandwhocanleveragethatexperiencetoprovidearicherlearningexperienceforstudents.Theuniversity'smissiontoserveadultstudentsissupportedbyadjunctfacultywhoarescholar-practitionersengageddailyintheirprofession.TheabilitytoemployadjunctfacultyiscriticaltoUMUC'scapacitytoquicklydeployacademicandcontinuingeducationprogramsinresponsetoworkforce-relatedneeds.Thisentrepreneurshipandflexibilityinestablishingnewprogramsisparticularlyimportanttotheuniversity:givenitshistoryofverylimitedstatesupport,theuniversity'sfinancialmodelisbasedontuitionrevenues,andallprogramsmustbeself-supporting.7
Consistentwiththismodel,UMUChasasubstantialrosteroffacultywithexpertiseinareasrelatedtocybersecurity,includingcyberoperations.Aterminaldegreeisgenerallyrequiredtoteachatthegraduatelevel,althoughanoccasionalexceptioncanbemadeinthecaseofanindividualwithamaster’sdegreeandexceptionalprofessionalcredentials.Teachingeffectivenessismonitoredbyclassobservationandstudentcourseevaluations.BecausethisreviseddegreeisanexpansionofanexistingA.O.C.,theprogramalreadyhasanactiveunitoffacultypreparedtoteachcoursesintherevisedcurriculum.
Table9providesapartiallistoffacultywiththeirhighestdegreetitle,academictitle/rank,andthecoursestheywillteach:
7MarylandHigherEducationCommission(December2015),MissionStatementReview:http://mhec.maryland.gov/institutions_training/Documents/acadaff/2016MissionStatementReview.pdf
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
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Table9:FacultyResourcesName AppointmentTypeand
RankTerminalDegreeandField
Status Course(s)tobeTaught
MansurulHasib CollegiateFaculty,AssociateProfessor
PhD,InformationAssurance
Full-time CBR600
BalakrishnanDasarathy
CollegiateFaculty,Professor
PhD,ComputerandInformationSciences
Full-time COP610,COP620,COP640
JimChen AdjunctFaculty,Professor PhD,Linguistics Part-Time COP610,COP620
StephenGantz AdjunctFaculty,Professor DM,Management Part-Time COP610,COP620
NicholasOldhamAdjunctFaculty,AssistantProfessor
JD Part-Time COP630
DouglasKelly AdjunctFaculty,AssociateProfessor
PhD,ComputerSciencePart-Time COP610,COP620,COP640
MichelleHansen CollegiateFaculty,AssistantProfessor
PhD,ComputerInformationSystems
Full-Time COP630,COP670
I. AdequacyofLibraryResourcesNonewlibraryresourcesareneededtoservetheproposedprogram.TheUMUCLibraryprovidesaccesstoavastarrayoflibraryresourcesandservicestoUMUCstudents,faculty,andstaffworldwidetomeettheiracademicneedsandincludeawideandvariedcollectionofjournalarticles,reports,casestudies,and,insomeinstances,completebooksavailableelectronicallyviaacomprehensiveselectionofonlinelibrarydatabases.Libraryservicesincludeinstruction,reference,electronicreserves,anddocumentdeliveryformaterialsnototherwiseavailableinthelibrarydatabases.TheUMUCLibraryreliesontechnologyasitsprimarymechanismtoprovideonlineaccesstoresourcesandservicestoUMUC’swidelydispersed,nontraditionalstudentpopulation.ThecuratedcollectionofonlineacademicresearchdatabasesavailabletoUMUCfacultyandstudentsprovidesaccesstohundredsofthousandsoffulltextarticlesaswellasreports,statistics,casestudies,bookchaptersandcompletebooksinawiderangeofsubjectareas.Inaddition,studentshaveaccesstothefulltextofdissertationsandthesesviatheProQuestDissertationsandThesesdatabase.TheLibraryassistsfacultyinprovidinglinkstoLibrarymaterialsdirectlyinonlineclasses.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
TheUMUCLibraryalsooffersotherresourcesandservices.UMUCstudents,faculty,andstaffwithinthecontinentalUnitedStateshaveaccesstomorethantenmillionvolumesinprintfromthe16-memberUniversitySystemofMarylandandAffiliatedInstitutions(USMAI)libraryconsortium.TheUMUCLibraryoffersdocumentdeliveryservicestoallUMUCstudents,faculty,andstaffworldwideforavarietyofmaterials,includingjournalarticlesandbookchapters.UMUC’sexpandingcollectionof75,000electronicbooks(e-books)hassignificantlyincreasedtheabilitytomeettheneedsofUMUC’sglobalpopulation.TheUMUCLibraryprovidesfacultyandstudentswithresearchassistanceincreatingsearchstrategies,selectingrelevantdatabases,andevaluatingandcitingresourcesinavarietyofformatsviaitsAskaLibrarianserviceathttps://www.umuc.edu/library/libask/index.cfm,whichincludes24/7chatande-mail.AguidetolocatingscholarlyarticlesandusingUMUC'slibrarydatabasesisavailableathttp://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/articles.cfm.TheUMUCLibraryOneSearchtoolallowsuserstosimultaneouslysearchforscholarlyarticles,books,and/orotherresearchresourcesviaasinglesearchengineinmostofthedatabasestowhichtheUMUCLibrarysubscribes,eitherdirectlyorasadditionalresources(http://www.umuc.edu/library/index.cfm).Inaddition,UMUCfacultycanrequestcustomizedlibraryinstructionsessionsforbothon-siteandonlineclasses,andcanalsoaddUMUCLibrarytutorialsandmaterialstotheirlearningmanagementsystemclassroomsandreferstudentstothemthroughtheWebgateway.Alibrarianliaisonassignedtoeachacademicdepartmentassistsfacultywithresourceidentificationandotherprogramneeds.TheSubjectGuidesareaofthelibrary'sWebsiteathttp://www.umuc.edu/library/libresources/subjects.cfmprovidesalistingofresourceguidesforeachsubjectarea,witheachguidecontainingrelevantdatabases,Websites,books,andotherresourcesalongwithtechnicalandcitationassistance.J. AdequacyofFacilities,Infrastructure,andEquipment
Existingresourcesrelatedtofacilities,infrastructure,andequipmentareadequatetomeettheprogramneeds.Thisprogramdrawsonexistingfacultywhoarecurrentlyequippedwiththenecessaryfacilities,resourcesandequipment.Further,thenatureofUMUC’sdistanceeducationdeliverymodalitynegatestheneedforanyphysicalclassroom.
K. AdequacyofFinancialResources
Nonewgeneralfundsarerequiredforimplementationoftheproposedrevisiontothisprogram.Asshowninthefollowingtables,theprogramisexpectedtobeself-supportingfrominception.Ifnecessary,resourceswillbereallocatedfromtheexistingprogramtosupporttherestructuredprograminyearone.Thefinancialtablesthatfollowarebasedonlyonstudentsenteringtherestructuredprogramanddonotincluderevenueandexpensesrelatedtotheteach-outofstudentsintheexistingprogram.
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
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ResourcesResourceCategories Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Year51.ReallocatedFunds 0 0 0 0 02.Tuition/FeeRevenue $624,600 $1,286,676 $1,411,596 $1,536,516 $1,661,436a.#Students 50 103 113 123 133b.CreditHourRate $694 $694 $694 $694 $694c.CreditHoursperstudentperyear
18 18 18 18 18
d.TotalTuitionRevenue(axbxc) $624,600 $1,286,676 $1,411,596 $1,536,516 $1,661,436
3.Grants,Contracts,&OtherExternalSources
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0
4.OtherSources $0 $0 $0 $0 $0TOTAL(Add1-4) $624,600 $1,286,676 $1,411,596 $1,536,516 $1,661,436
ExpendituresExpenditureCategories Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Year51.TotalFaculty
Expenses(b+cbelow)
$45,756
$91,512
$114,390
$114,390
$137,268
a.Totalsectionstaught 6 12 15 15 18
b.TotalSalary(Adjunctfacultysalaryataverageof$7626per6-creditcourse)8
$45,756
$91,512
$114,390
$114,390
$137,268
c.TotalBenefits N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A2.TotalAdministrative
StaffExpenses(b+cbelow)
$25,300
$25,300
$25,300
$25,300
$25,300
a.#FTE 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2b.TotalSalary $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000c.TotalBenefits(26.5%) $5,300 $5,300 $5,300 $5,300 $5,3003.TotalSupportStaff
Expenses(b+cbelow)
$12,650
$12,650
$12,650
$12,650
$12,650
8Thisfieldhasbeenmodifiedfrom#FTEtothetotalnumberofprogramcoursesectionstaughtperyear,consistentwithUMUC’sfacultymodel.
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a.#FTE 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2b.TotalSalary $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000c.TotalBenefits(26.5%) $2,650 $2,650 $2,650 $2,650 $2,6504.Equipment 0 0 0 0 05.Library 0 0 0 0 06.NeworRenovatedSpace 0 0 0 0 0
7.OtherExpenses(Coursedevelopment,marketing,overhead)
$35,000
$35,000
$25,000
$25,000
$25,000
TOTAL(Add1-7) $118,706 $164,462 $177,340 $177,340 $200,218L. Adequacyofprovisionsforevaluationofprogram
Asdiscussedaboveunder“EvaluationandAssessment,”allUMUCprogramsaresubjecttocomprehensiveandmulti-prongedevaluations.Theseincludecourseandfacultyassessment,program-specificstudent-levelcompetencyassessment,institution-widestudentlearningoutcomes,andprogramoutcomesamongothers.AssessmentisadynamicandengagedprocessatUMUC;theuniversity’sAssessmentSteeringCommitteeprovidescoordinationandadvisement,anddisseminatesbestpracticesthroughouttheinstitution.Faculty,administrators,andtheOfficeofAccreditation,ComplianceandReportingintheProvost’sOfficecollaboratetoimplementassessmentactivities,reviewresultsandmakeappropriateresource,curriculumorothermodificationsaccordingly.
M. ConsistencywiththeState’sminoritystudentachievementgoals
UMUCseekstoreflectthediversityoftheglobalcommunitywithinwhichitexists.Culturaldifferencesarerecognized,valued,andconsideredessentialtotheeducationalprocess.UMUCprovidesanacademicenvironmentinwhichdiversityisnotonlyarticulatedasoneoftheinstitutionalcorevalues,butitisreflectedintheUniversity’sethnicallyandraciallydiversestudentbodyanditsprovenrecordofprovidinghighereducationaccesstominoritystudents.• AsofFall2015,44%ofallundergraduatestudentsand51%ofallgraduatestudentsareminority
students*.• Additionally,UMUCenrollsmoreAfricanAmericanstudents(14,348)thananyotherinstitution
inMaryland,includinganysingleoneofthefourMarylandHBIs.MorganStateUniversityissecondwith6,280AfricanAmericanstudents9.
• InFiscalYear2016,41%ofbachelor’sdegrees,50%ofmaster’sdegrees,and39%ofdoctoraldegreeswereawardedtominoritystudents*.
• Annually,UMUCawardsmoredegreestoAfricanAmericanstudentsthananyotherMarylandinstitution,includingthefourMarylandHBIsinMaryland.
9Source:2016MHECDataBook,http://mhec.maryland.gov/publications/Documents/Research/AnnualPublications/2016Databook.pdf
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*MinoritystudentsisdefinedhereasBlacks/AfricanAmericans,Latino/Hispanics,Asian,PacificIslander,andNativeAmericans,plusthoseoftwoormoreraces.
N. RelationshiptolowproductivityprogramsidentifiedbytheCommission
Notapplicable.
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AppendixACourseDescriptions
RequiredFoundationCourseCBR600Communicating,ProblemSolving,andLeadinginCybersecurity(6)(RequiredforstudentsintheMSinCyberOperations,CybersecurityTechnology,CybersecurityManagementandPolicy,andDigitalForensicsandCyberInvestigationprograms.)Makeyourselfmorevaluabletoanemployerbygainingandimprovingskillsincommunicationandproblemsolving.Explorethefieldofcybersecuritybydevelopingconnectionstoyourcareeraspirations,creatingaprofessionalsocialnetworkpresence,andusingcriticalthinkingtoinformdecisions.Improveandrefineyourskillsincommunication,criticalthinking,quantitativereasoning,andteamleadership.Honeyourprofessionalwritingandoralcommunicationskillstoproduceeffectivepresentationsandbecomeproficientwithcurrenttechnology.RequiredProgramCoursesCOP610FoundationsofCyberOperations(6)Prerequisite:CBR600.Gainthefoundationalinformationsecurityknowledgeandskillsneededtoworkincyberoperations,includingsecurityfirstprinciples,accesscontrol,andlayereddefense.Applyriskanalysisofinformationandinformationsystems,integratecryptographictechniquesforprotectinginformation,andcrackcodesthroughtheuseofcryptanalysis.COP620CybersecurityDefense(6)Prerequisite:COP610.Mastertheapplicationofdefense-in-deptharchitectureinsystemdesignanddeployment,andcounteractthreatsandvulnerabilitiesinnetworks,devices,operatingsystems,datamanagementsystems,andapplications.Identifycloudandvirtualizationsecurityissuesandrespondtothemusingappropriatecountermeasures.Applyintrusionandattackdetectiontechniquesinalaboratory.COP630CyberLawandDigitalForensics(6)Prerequisite:COP620.ExploreU.S.andinternationallawsgoverningcyberoperationsanddigitalevidence.Designacyber-offensecampaignthatcomplieswithU.Slaws.Masterdigitalforensicstoolsandtechniquesfornetwork,media,andRAMofcommonoperatingsystemsanddevicesinavirtuallaboratoryenvironment.COP640SecureSoftware(6)Prerequisite:COP630.Exploresecuredesignandoperationprinciplesbyexaminingclassesofwell-knowndefectsthatleadtosecurityvulnerabilities,andutilizebothstaticanddynamicanalysistoolstofindthosevulnerabilities.Applysecuredesignprinciplestodesignsoftwareinavirtuallaboratoryenvironment.COP670CapstoneinCyberOffense(6)Prerequisite:COP640.Assumetheroleofacyber-warrior.Applyreverseengineeringtechniquesto
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
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analyzemalwareandsystemsoftware,andimplementcyber-offensetechniquesinalaboratorytopenetrateandinfectasystemthatlackscyberdefenses.
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AppendixB
UMUC NewProgramProposalRestructuringtheA.O.C.inInformationAssuranceto
M.S.inCyberOperations
1c. Program Proposal - UMUC - Restruct Concentr in Info Assurance to MS Cyber Operations - Cover1c. Program Proposal - UMUC - Restruct Concentr in Info Assurance to MS Cyber Operations - Proposal