Welcome to Brown! Congratulations on your acceptance to the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program!
If you are a new or continuing student, the resources below will be helpful to you. Please return to this page as a first step when you have questions as you complete the Cybersecurity program.
Program Contacts
For questions concerning submission of official transcripts, setting up your Brown resource access, and the enrollment process:
masters_admissions@brown.edu
For questions about financial aid:
gs_financial_aid@brown.edu
For questions concerning course prerequisites, course requirements, the future availability of specific course offerings, and academic dates:
John Tracey-Ursprung (john_tracey-ursprung@brown.edu) - Student Affairs Manager
For questions concerning the Policy Track, the Computer Science Track, the Brown Cybersecurity community, scholarships, and student experience:
John Tracey-Ursprung (john_tracey-ursprung@brown.edu) - Student Affairs Manager
Orientation
If you are admitted to start the program in the Fall semester, Orientation will be held in the final week of August.
If you are admitted to start the program in the Spring semester, Orientation will be held between January 13 and January 20.
If you are enrolled in the online option, Orientation will be held online. It will not be necessary to travel to campus.
If you are enrolled in the on-campus option, Orientation will be held in person on campus.
The following is key information discussed during orientation:
Tuition Information
Information for Incoming Students Starting the Program During a Fall Semester
Course Registration
Resources for Getting Started
https://ithelp.brown.edu/file.php/240GGMPRSDHJK23922412A32F/Students-CoursesatBrown.pdf
https://ithelp.brown.edu/kb/articles/dropping-a-class-in-courses-brown
Student Support Resources
Academic Calendar
You can find the University's academic calendar here. Note that internal program deadlines are not listed on this calendar, but university-wide dates, such as the start and end date of the semester, are listed.
Completing the Program
The program is designed to be completed in 4 semesters. It takes 8 courses to complete the program and you can take up to 3 courses per semester, but we strongly recommend taking 2 courses per semester--especially during your first term at Brown. We do not currently offer summer term courses in the program, so courses would be completed during fall and spring.
Scholarship Information
You're automatically considered for scholarships when you apply for admission to the program; there is no separate scholarship application.
If the committee determines that an applicant is to be awarded a scholarship, then the applicant is notified at the time of their admission into the program. Unfortunately, there are a very limited number of scholarships available. Applicants who do not receive a merit award letter at the time of their admission are unable to be reconsidered.
Deferrals
Admitted students may request to defer their entrance into the program by one semester or a maximum of one year. If you would like to request to defer your admission, you must apply by sending John Tracey-Ursprung (john_tracey-ursprung@brown.edu), Student Affairs Manager, an email with one or two paragraphs explaining your request. Deferrals are not automatic and are granted on a case by case basis. If you are accepted to begin the program in the fall semester, the deadline to request a deferral is June 5. If you are accepted to begin the program in the spring semester, the deadline to request a deferral is December 5.
If you have been awarded a scholarship by the ScM in Cybersecurity program, then you will only be able to keep that scholarship if you enter the program at your original start date or if you choose to defer for one semester. If you defer for more than one semester, then you will lose your scholarship.
Information for Incoming 5th Year Master's Students
As a 5th year master's student, you will complete three courses each semester for a total of six courses. You must complete the program in one academic year. It is key to contact the Director of Graduate Studies as soon as possible after being admitted to let the program know which two courses from your undergraduate work that you would like to have count towards your master's degree. The two courses from your undergraduate work that you would like to have count towards your master's degree must be graded courses and your grade must be an "A" or a "B" in the courses. You cannot use a grade of "S" towards the requirements for the ScM in Cybersecurity.
Below are examples of how a 5th year master's student might complete the program. Importantly, note that the courses used to meet the program's requirements will vary depending on what courses from one's undergraduate coursework will be applied.
Here is an example of how a 5th year master's student in the Policy Track could complete the program [note that course offerings vary each semester and are subject to change]:
Fall Semester
CSCI 1360 Human Factors in Cybersecurity
CSCI 1870 Cybersecurity Ethics
CSCI 2200 Cybersecurity Law and Policy
Spring Semester
CSCI 1880 Introduction to Computer Security
CSCI 2002 Privacy and Personal Data Protection
CSCI 2999A Cybersecurity Management Within Business, Government, and Non-Profit Organizations
Here is an example of how a 5th year master's student in the Computer Science Track could complete the program [note that course offerings vary each semester and are subject to change]:
Fall Semester
CSCI 1360 Human Factors in Cybersecurity
CSCI 2200 Cybersecurity Law and Policy
CSCI 1870 Cybersecurity Ethics
Spring Semester
CSCI 2002 Privacy and Personal Data Protection
CSCI 2660 Introduction to Computer Systems Security
CSCI 2999A Cybersecurity Management Within Business, Government, and Non-Profit Organizations
Master of Science in Cybersecurity Master's Contracts
Preparing for Courses/What to Expect
For many of your courses, you will have homework and reading assignments before the first day of class. After you register for courses, you will be able to access their Canvas course websites [if the course hosts its website on Canvas] at canvas.brown.edu. Once the system updates with your registration, the course should appear automatically on your Canvas homepage. If you have any questions about accessing course materials for your first day of classes, please check for course information here: https://cs.brown.edu/courses/
Reading material for your courses will be assigned in a variety of formats -- every course will be different. Sometimes, you will have to purchase materials such as books.
Each instructor executes their course differently. The format and presentation may vary. In some courses, you will have the opportunity to join synchronous class sessions. Other courses might not offer this option. All courses will provide the materials you need to be successful in the course and to be supported in your learning.
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