Masters in Information Security and Assurance
Foundation Requirements

About the Program

Accelerated BS-MSISA

Graduate Certificates

To ensure that students have an adequate background in mathematical methods and computing technology, the program requires the following four foundation courses, or their equivalents:

INFS 501 Discrete and Logical Structures for Information Systems
INFS 515 Computer Organization
INFS 590 Program Design and Data Structures
SWE 510 Object-Oriented Programming in Java

Prospective students are asked to complete a departmental self-evaluation form, indicating whether previously taken courses may satisfy these foundation requirements. Upon acceptance, students are advised of the necessary foundation courses to be satisfactorily completed to meet this requirement. Foundation courses do not earn credit toward the MS degree; however, they must be successfully completed with a grade of B or better before enrolling in the core curriculum.

Students may test out (i.e. taking an exams to test competency) to indicate that they have the requisite knowledge for those foundations of INFS 501, 515, 590, and SWE 510. The exams are given before classes begin in January and August, and can only be taken once. Registration is not required; students need only to be present at the date, time, and location specified with some form of photographic identification. Detailed information is available on the ISE web page. Students failing any one of the exams must take the equivalent course before enrolling in the core curriculum courses.

For Further Information

Additional information on the program is available from the MSIS Student Advisor (iseadvsr@gmu.edu)

Financial aid information is available at the GMU Office of Financial Aid