Master of Science in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime

Bridge the Gap between Tech and Policy with the MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime

The 36-credit MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cyber Crime (MSGSCC), offered by the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs, is a STEM graduate degree that provides a competitive advantage by focusing on cyber conflict through the lens of the social sciences. Explore the fields of cyber espionage, cyber criminology, cyber warfare, and intelligence analysis. Gain a deep understanding of cyber security policy, while acquiring the skills to develop and execute cyber security and risk management strategies. Learn from experienced practitioners and thought leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Bridge the Gap between Tech and Policy with the MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime

Tuition*

$2,785 Per credit
$27,562 Per term (10-12 credits)

*See NYU Bursar site for more info. 

# of Credits

36 credits

Study Options

Online | Onsite | Hybrid
Fall | Spring
Full-time | Part-time

Minimum Duration

12 months

STEM

See STEM site for more info 

11%

job growth 2024-2034

$130.4K

median salary

87%

working and/or in school

1,962

Global CGA alumni

[1] Lightcast 2025
[2] Lightcast 2025
[3] NYU Life Beyond the Square: School of Professional Studies Graduate Class of 2024
[4] as of 1/2024

Why This Degree?

Learn from Expert Faculty

Our faculty work to build real relationships with you while preparing you for a career, based on their deep experience in government, industry, legal, and advocacy fields.

Get Support to Succeed from Day One

You’ll find a community of individuals committed to your success. One-on-one faculty advising, a dedicated team of career counselors, and a wide breadth of student services all come together to ensure that you have the tools to thrive on your journey to a Master's in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime.

Enrich Your Network

Join a global network of industry-leading alumni, faculty, and students who become connections for a lifetime. Attend our events to find networking opportunities around every corner.

Advance Your Career

Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional looking to pivot, this degree puts you in control of your learning. Its focus on cybersecurity essentials, complemented by a broad set of elective choices in emerging fields gives you the tools to stay ahead and tailor your studies to your passion.

Gain a Global Perspective

With a diverse student body, curriculum covering global industry trends and challenges, and opportunities to study abroad through Global Field Intensives (GFI), you will understand the cultural and economic forces from a transnational perspective and stand out in the market.

Become a Bridge-builder Between Tech and Policy

Cybersecurity is a dynamic field that needs professionals to act as interpreters, able to speak tech to policy specialists as comfortably as they can speak policy to tech specialists. MSGSCC graduates provide that vital link.

What You’ll Study

Core Curriculum

Our core curriculum consists of the following six courses:

  • Cyber: Technical, Operational & Strategic Perspectives
  • Cyber Law
  • Cyber Power & Global Security
  • Infrastructure Security and Resilience
  • Mission Assurance or Continuity of Operations
  • National & International Cyber Organizations.
Electives

Select five courses from a robust array of cyber or global affairs options, helping you tailor your degree to a career pathway. Course options include:

  • Intelligence analysis
  • The economics of cybersecurity
  • Emerging technology and the developing world
  • Transnational security
  • Cyber ethics
  • Cybercrime
Final Project
For your final project, you can choose to participate in one of the following.
  • Practicum (group or individual)
  • Capstone
  • Thesis

Where You’ll Go

From SPS, a wide range of career paths are open to graduates.

Where Our Alumni Work
  • Teneo
  • Ridgeline Consulting
  • Anchorage Digital
  • Adaptek
  • US Air Force
  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
  • Deloitte
  • Internet Security Alliance
  • New York City Cyber Command
  • Blackstone
What Our Alumni Do
  • Senior Consultant
  • US Government Advisor
  • Compliance Officer
  • Cyber Threat Analyst
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Strategy and Policy Specialist
  • Policy Writer
  • Cyber Wargame Consultant
  • Security Sciences Officer


The above data is sourced from Lightcast

Spring 2026

Deadlines

Round

Deadline

Decision Release

Priority

August 1, 2025

October 15, 2025

Regular

October 1, 2025

November 15, 2025

Final

November 15, 2025

December 20, 2025

Priority

Deadline

Decision Release

August 1, 2025

October 15, 2025

Regular

Deadline

Decision Release

October 1, 2025

November 15, 2025

Final

Deadline

Decision Release

November 15, 2025

December 20, 2025

Fall 2026

Deadlines

Round

Deadline

Decision Release

Priority 1

November 1, 2025

December 15, 2025

Priority 2

January 15, 2026

April 1, 2026

Regular

May 1, 2026

June 15, 2026

Final

July 1, 2026

July 15, 2026

Priority 1

Deadline

Decision Release

November 1, 2025

December 15, 2025

Priority 2

Deadline

Decision Release

January 15, 2026

April 1, 2026

Regular

Deadline

Decision Release

May 1, 2026

June 15, 2026

Final

Deadline

Decision Release

July 1, 2026

July 15, 2026

Real World Experiences

Your journey might begin in the classroom, but we ensure that you can learn through experience—rolling up your sleeves and taking your studies to the real world.
During a Global Field Intensive in Athens Greece, a group of students and educators gather in a classroom to discuss the Security College
European Defence and Security College, Athens, Greece (GFI)

Participate in a crisis management exercise with cyber practitioners from several countries.

Learn more About Global Field Intensives
Four Department of Homeland Security professionals work in a lab with large digital displays and many computers with maps and graphs
Department of Homeland Security (Consulting Practicum)

Help develop solutions to real-world cyber policy challenges.

Learn More About Consulting Practicums
A presenter during the District Attorney of New York Practicum displays a presentation about the US far right
District Attorney of New York (Consulting Practicum)

Research the legal challenges posed by online disinformation.

Learn More About Consulting Practicums

Frequently Asked Questions

The focus of this degree is on cybersecurity from a global perspective. It includes courses from a number of interconnected disciplines, such as law, economics, strategic studies, intelligence, technology studies, and ethics. Coursework includes a balanced mixture of individual and group work; research and applied problem-solving; in classroom and experiential learning environments.  

An MSGSCC degree prepares you for a range of professional career options in government, international organizations, private sector firms, non-governmental organizations, corporations, and think tanks. Graduate students who possess the knowledge and skills to address today’s global challenges are in high demand.

The 42-credit MS in Global Affairs prepares students for jobs across the global public, private and non-profit sectors. The MSGA curriculum provides the global insight and contextual perspectives of international affairs that are needed to become a well-rounded professional in the global arena.


The 36-credit MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cyber Crime (MSGSCC) is a STEM graduate degree that provides a unique perspective and a competitive advantage by focusing on cyber conflict through the lens of the social sciences. The program prepares students to enter the fast-changing world of international security and explores the fields of cyber espionage, cyber criminology, cyber warfare, and intelligence analysis, affording them the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of cyber security policy, while acquiring the skills to develop and execute cyber security and risk management strategies.

 

The MSGSCC is a 36-credit program that offers full- and part-time study options. It can be completed in as little as 12 months of full-time study.

Yes. Our faculty, graduate advisors, and the team at the NYU SPS Wasserman Center for Career Development are your partners in facilitating internships and career opportunities.

No. Prior work experience is not required for applying to our master's programs.

No, the GRE is not required but you are welcome to submit your score as part of your application.

No, they don’t. We have students from a wide range of backgrounds. Some do come from IT backgrounds. Others have experience in intelligence or law enforcement. Some have undergraduate degrees in history, political science, or journalism.