Tufts launches new master’s degree in cybersecurity

From small nonprofits to major corporations and governments, many organizations store critical information digitally, opening themselves up to the risk of cyberattack. Cybersecurity experts are necessary to protect against these threats and handle responses when attacks occur. In response to a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, the Department of Computer Science recently launched a new master’s degree in cybersecurity. The program prepares students for technical roles in industry and government or for advanced research at a doctoral level. Students who complete the M.S. in Cybersecurity will be capable of understanding, implementing, and deploying a wide range of security technologies, while factoring in underlying ethical and social contexts.

The program is now accepting applications for Fall 2026. The curriculum goes beyond fundamental security properties to cover the practical use and design of cybersecurity approaches, techniques, and tools. Students can select from courses such as Trusted and Responsible AI, Cryptography, and Network Security, among others, to gain understanding of how systems work, and how they fail. In addition to developing technical expertise, the program also emphasizes the social context of cybersecurity, resulting in well-rounded graduates who are ready to tackle real-world cybersecurity scenarios head-on.

Elective options range from Big Data, and Emerging Memory Systems, to Debugging Cloud Computing. Participation in the Tufts Cybersecurity Clinic also counts toward elective credit. Overseen by Teaching Professor Ming Chow, the clinic offers a range of pro-bono cybersecurity services to nonprofit and under-resourced organizations. At events like the recent Cybersecurity Community Workshop Day, Chow teaches cybersecurity best practices to local business owners and community members. Graduate and undergraduate students can hone their technical and leadership skills while serving local organizations in the clinic and at community events. The option highlights Tufts’ emphasis on hands-on learning, which is woven throughout the program’s coursework to build practical skills.  

The department is also offering a new Certificate in Cybersecurity as an on-ramp for those who wish to build expertise in the field before applying to the master’s program or pursuing new career opportunities. The certificate program consists of five courses drawn from the M.S. in Cybersecurity curriculum. For those who are completely new to computer science, the department offers a separate Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Computer Science that leads to an M.S. in Cybersecurity. Designed with career changers in mind, the post-bacc program provides the equivalent of an undergraduate minor, giving students a strong foundation for advanced study or new career opportunities.

Tufts has been a leader in cybersecurity for many years. The Tufts Security and Privacy lab explores how people create, use, and defend systems. Students in the lab frequently attend conferences to share their work with the wider security community. In 2019, Tufts launched a master’s program in cybersecurity and public policy for those interested in becoming liaisons between technicians and policymakers. The program continues to this day. The new M.S. in Cybersecurity offers a distinct path with a more technology-focused curriculum, while still leveraging Tufts’ interdisciplinary strength in engineering, international relations, and public policy.  

In 2024, Tufts launched the Tufts Cybersecurity Center for the Public Good. Directed by Professor Susan Landau, the center pursues cybersecurity work with attention to technology's impact on civic engagement and societal well-being. Landau has extensive experience in the field. During the FBI-Apple encryption dispute in 2015-2016, she was a co-author of a pivotal report, “Keys Under Doormats: Mandating Insecurity by Requiring Government Access to All Data and Communications,” that helped resolve the dispute. She also testified in the 2025 Hearing on “Foreign Influence on American’s Data” before the House Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance of the Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives. Future M.S. in Cybersecurity students will benefit from faculty members’ expertise and the interdisciplinary research across the University.  

Tufts’ proximity to the tech hubs of Boston and Cambridge offers another advantage for students interested in networking and internship opportunities. Small class sizes give students ample time to connect with expert faculty members and gain mentorship that can support their career growth in the field. With an interdisciplinary learning environment and a curriculum that incorporates the latest developments in the field, graduates will be positioned to make a powerful impact on the cybersecurity field.  

Learn more about the new M.S. in Cybersecurity.