Doctor of Business Administration in Cyber Security Management

A Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Cyber Security Management is vital for aspiring Chief Information Security Officers as it provides the knowledge and skills in the areas of risk management, governance, cyber security law, information privacy, and principles of management tailored to the cyber security professional’s needs. In order to advance in the organization, one needs more than just cutting-edge skills and certifications. One must have an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges arising from human behavior, legal requirements, and technological advancement. A DBA from St. Thomas University will blend these different bases of knowledge in order to give graduates the edge they need to tackle the issues organizations are facing and earn advanced positions in the field.

This degree prepares graduates for the executive level by focusing on the skills CISOs and other high level IT managers need to effectively develop and implement information security solutions for their organizations. Those with backgrounds in computers and security will gain valuable insight into employee behavior, organizational design, policies, processes, and communication that will help improve their effectiveness as managers and executives.

 

Program Highlights

  • Several options for doctoral research including action research, traditional dissertation, or 3 journal articles so students can pick what works best for their organization and goals.
  • This program was crafted in part from local Information Security Executives in order to ensure that you are getting the vital Cyber Security skills you need to be a successful executive or director.
  • Students will be able to work on their degree at their convenience online.
  • At STU, small class sizes of 10-15 are the norm in order for students to get the personalized attention they need.
  • All students admitted to the Doctor of Business Administration program will be granted 30 credits from their Master’s Degree, toward the program total of 90 credit hours beyond the Bachelor’s Degree. Resulting in a 60-credit hour degree completion plan.
  • Additionally, in consultation with the program director an additional 15 graduate, or post graduate credits may be accepted toward the remaining 60 credits beyond the Master’s Degree depending upon content and discipline of the graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and doctoral specialization selected.
  • Depending on the number of credits transferred in from the Master’s Degree, course work can be completed in 1–1½ years before dissertation.
  • There are three doctoral research options. In consultation with the Program Director, the student will choose the best option for their career pursuit:
  • All DBA courses are available fully online, on-campus, or a hybrid of both

 

Research Options

DBA candidates have the choice to pursue one of the three research options below to complete the doctoral program:

  • Traditional Dissertation
  • Article Dissertation
  • Action Research

 

Career Landscape

According to O*Net, Cyber security is one of the careers that have a very bright future, in which the supply for new jobs will exceed demand. However, to move into those limited upper management and executive positions, one must have the knowledge, skills, and abilities like those gained from the STU DBA in Cyber Security.

  • Average salary for Cybersecurity professional positions is $120,000; Executives $185,000
  • The Information Security profession is growing by about 40% annually for the next 5 years
  • Some of the Cybersecurity titles include, Vice President of Information Security, Vice President of Information Technology and Data Analytics, Chief Executive Information Security Officer, Director of Financial Systems and Projects

 

Curriculum

Students receive a widely varied yet purposefully crafted curriculum that enhances not only one’s management skills, but strategic planning and critical decision-making skills that are mandatory for Information Security Executives. The courses cover law, governance, ethics, risk management, and a thorough investigation of the foundational and emerging information security and privacy literature in the seminar courses.

 

Tuition

 

Tuition per Credit Hour Technology Fee Per Course Total Tuition & Fees
Tuition $1,029 $100 $63,740

 

DBA Program Course Requirements

Total Credits Required: 90 credits

All students admitted to the Doctor of Business Administration program will be granted 30 credits from their Master’s degree, toward the program total of 90 credit hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Resulting in a 60-credit hour degree completion plan.

DBA Common Courses: 18 Credits

  • BUS 813 Strategic Brand Management: 3 credits
  • MIS 879 Information Ethics: 3 credits
  • BUS 806 Global Social Media Management: 3 credits
  • BUS 836 Entrepreneurship: 3 credits
  • SPO 855 Special Topics – Leadership Theory and Practice: 3 credits
  • MAN 810 Legal & Regulatory Aspects of Management: 3 credits

Research Requirements: 21 credits

Research Core: 9 credits

  • RES 819 Foundations of Research: 3 credits
  • RES 820 Quantitative Research: 3 credits
  • RES 821 Qualitative Research: 3 credits

Doctoral Research (Dissertation/Action Research): 12 credits

  • DIS 900 Doctoral Research Proposal: 3 credits
  • DIS 901 Doctoral Research I: 3 credits
  • DIS 902 Doctoral Research II: 3 credits
  • DIS 903 Doctoral Research III: 3 credits
  • DIS 904 Doctoral Continuation Course: 1-3 credits

Cyber Security Management: 21 Credits

  • BUS 807: Cyber Law, Policy & Security: 3 credits
  • MIS 873: Cyber Security Governance: 3 credits
  • MIS 874: Enterprise Information Security: 3 credits
  • MIS 876: Cyber Security Risk Management: 3 credits
  • MIS 830: Special Topics in Cyber Security Management: 3 credits
  • MIS 802: Information Security Management Seminar: 3 credits
  • MIS 803: Information Privacy Seminar: 3 credits

 

Research Opportunities

Current students are exploring interventions that may help improve employee’s compliance with organizational information security policies, the opportunities for AI in preventing phishing attacks, the use of Block Chain in healthcare data, cyber security training, and the barriers and pathways to careers in cyber security faced by females and minorities. This program facilitates students to work on a research project that benefits the student’s organization and career while generating new and important knowledge for the field.

 


Contact

Office of Graduate Admissions
Call or Text: 305-563-8792
Email: admissions@stu.edu

 

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