1c. program proposal - umuc - restruct concentr in info ......2017/10/20 · umuc new program...

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



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



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/



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)



• 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.



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/



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



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.



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



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



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



*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



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



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.



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.



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)


36creditsAsinglesequenceofsix6-creditcourses,noelectives

10courses,eachof3ormorecredithours,plusacapstoneproject;studentscanchoosebetweentwotracks–Technology&ResearchTrackorPolicy&ManagementTrack.



Onsite



Full-time,three-semesterprogram


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



&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.



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




36creditsAsinglesequenceofsix6-creditcourses,noelectives.

30creditswithsixrequired3credit-hourcoursesand12credit-hoursofelectives



Coursesareofferedonsitewithvideoconferencingforremotecampusesandwebcastfordelayedviewing.



Part-timeandfull-time


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



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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.



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



*MinoritystudentsisdefinedhereasBlacks/AfricanAmericans,Latino/Hispanics,Asian,PacificIslander,andNativeAmericans,plusthoseoftwoormoreraces.

N. RelationshiptolowproductivityprogramsidentifiedbytheCommission

Notapplicable.



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



analyzemalwareandsystemsoftware,andimplementcyber-offensetechniquesinalaboratorytopenetrateandinfectasystemthatlackscyberdefenses.



AppendixB



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