Information Security and Intelligence (ISIN-MISI-BU), M.I.S.I.

Location(s): Online, Ferris Main Campus

Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence

The Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence (MISI) program has been developed to prepare students for careers in Business Intelligence, Incident Response (proactive and reactive in areas such as hacking and digital forensics), and Project Management utilizing secure practices. Positions include security officers, analysts, forensics experts, project managers, and technical managers. MISI courses are offered fully online and face-to-face for flexible scheduling to serve full-time, part-time, and accelerated students as well as working professionals, military students and international students who require 70% of their coursework in-seat. The 30-credit MISI consists of seven courses, including an integrated capstone project, plus an Advanced Studies Certificate that focuses on the student’s concentration of choice: Business Intelligence, Incident Response (computer security), or Project Management.

Five-year Bachelor’s and Master’s Dual Enrollment Program Option

The BS in Information Security & Intelligence degree prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in fields such as Computer Forensics, Information Security, Intelligence/Big Data, Incident Response, and Mobile Security. Opportunities exist in the government, security, intelligence, health care, insurance, finance, and education fields. The MS in Information Security & Intelligence (MISI) program further develops students for careers in Business Intelligence, Incident Response (proactive and reactive in areas such as hacking and digital forensics), and Project Management utilizing secure practices. Positions include security officers, analysts, forensics experts, project managers, and technical managers.

Please consult the program homepage to see the current minimum computer specs for ISIN students.

Program Outcomes

Analyze complex issues and problems. Develop appropriate solutions that improve organizational performance in leadership and strategic planning.
Apply systems thinking to integrate innovative and logical values into organizational decision-making activities.
Examine, evaluate, and articulate the effect of organizational stakeholder, environmental and cultural issues within the context of global business decisions.
Identify organizational challenges and solutions in an environment of uncertainty using available data and trade-offs.
Conduct quantitative and qualitative research.
Effectively function as a team member, virtually, as well as face-to-face. Build sustainable relationships with peers through effective communication. Exhibit a high level of communication capabilities, including oral and written techniques.

Admission Requirements

New Student Admission Requirements

Completed application for admission.
Request official course transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate colleges and universities previously attended, including confirmation of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and 3.00 or higher is required in the junior and senior level courses. Ferris graduates need not submit transcripts for coursework completed at Ferris.
Submit a current, professional resume or curriculum vitae.
Submit a statement of purpose, approximately one page typed, explaining your reasons for seeking admission into the program. The statement should demonstrate that you have taken steps to learn about our program and are familiar with and prepared for online, mixed delivery, and accelerated courses. You should explain what factors have influenced your decision apply, and how this degree will help you achieve your short-term and long-term career goals.
Request three (3) professional references attesting to your ability to succeed in graduate-level studies.
International students whose first (native) language is not English need to have English proficiency test scores sent directly from the testing agency to demonstrate meeting the Ferris standards for English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo).
Official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of 500 or higher, or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score in the upper 50 percent with a 2.50 or higher on the Analytical Writing portion.
Waiver of test requirement will be considered if applicant has completed another master’s degree or if the applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree with a 3.50 or higher GPA (on a 4.00 scale). Application

Deadline: July 15 for Fall Semester, December 15 for Spring Semester, April 15 for Summer Semester
Provisional admission may be granted if an applicant does not meet all the admission requirements. If provisional admission is granted, the applicant must successfully complete nine (9) credit hours of graduate-level coursework with a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) and correct all deficiencies in their admission requirements.
These requirements also apply to Transfer Students.

All Major Requirements - 30 Credits Required

Core Requirements - 3 Credits Required

MISI 799 - Integrated Capstone Project Credit Hours: 3 (Taken Final Semester)

Advanced Study Certificate - 9 Credits Required

One Advanced Study Certificate is required; see the Advanced Study Certificate Options section. One course from the Core Requirements section is counted towards the completion of the certificate for a total of 12 credits.

Postgraduate Certificate Options

Business Intelligence Postgraduate Certificate (BSIN) - 9 Credits Required

The Business Intelligence certificate is designed to prepare individuals with both theoretical and practical experience in designing, developing, and utilizing database and informatics systems, tools, and techniques in a decision support environment, including predictive, geographic, and link and visual analysis.

Incident Response Postgraduate Certificate (INRS) - 9 Credits Required

The Incident Response certificate is designed to prepare individuals to secure computers, networks, and systems against intrusions and unauthorized access, test and assess security measures, and forensically analyze the environment to determine events and situations that may have occurred in a digital environment.

Project Management Postgraduate Certificate (PRJM) - 9 Credits Required

The Project Management certificate is designed to prepare individuals for careers as program, project, and portfolio managers consistent with the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge and other industry standards. Students will study the entire project life cycle and supporting tools and technologies.

Information Systems Assurance, Strategy and Governance Postgraduate Certificate (ISAG) - 9 Credits Required

The Information Assurance, Strategy and Governance certificate prepares individuals to apply governance, risk and compliance principles to produce effective computing solutions that include ethical strategies. This includes applying cross-discipline critical skills in evaluation opportunities, effectiveness measures and developing continuous improvement strategies as they relate to governance, risk and compliance.

Notes

Students who return to the university after an interrupted enrollment, not including summer semester, must normally meet the requirements of the curriculum which are in effect at the time of their return, not the requirements which were in effect when they were originally admitted.
In order to earn Graduate Honors, a student must meet the GPA requirements: 3.75 to 3.89 overall GPA for Distinction and 3.90 to 4.00 overall GPA for Highest Distinction
Credit Variance - Credits required may vary based on course placement, prerequisites, etc. If you have questions, contact your advisor.

Deadlines for Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence (ISIN-MISI) Application

Applications may be accepted past deadlines if no international mailing or application for visa is required.

February 15th - for starting summer semester in May.
June 15th - for starting fall semester in August.
October 15th - for starting spring semester in January.

Five-Year Bachelor’s and Master’s Dual Enrollment Program

In the student’s junior year in Bachelor of Science in Information Security and Intelligence program they may apply for the five-year bachelor’s and master’s dual enrollment in the Information Security and Intelligence program. Two courses may be used toward both degrees. Successful students earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a five-year format.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements.

University Graduation Requirements

These are the minimum graduation requirements for a graduate degree at Ferris State University:

A minimum of 30 credits must be earned.
A 3.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA in graduate courses is required.
A minimum grade of C or higher must be earned in each course with no more than two grades of C.
A minimum of 70 percent of the degree requirements must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.
No more than 20 percent of required hours can be thesis credits.
No more than 6 hours can be independent study and/or special topics.
Degree requirements shall be completed within 5 years from first enrollment in a graduate course following admission.
Each student must complete a thesis, graduate project, policy paper, internship, comprehensive examination, or additional course work.

Programmatic Graduation Requirements

These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program:

All requirements as specified in the All Major Requirements section must be met.

Contact Information

College of Business Graduate Program
(231) 591-2168
[email protected]