Information Assurance Certificate
Vision Statement
The goal of the ISQA graduate certificate program is to allow post-baccalaureate students and working professionals to expand their educational background and complete work that could count towards a graduate degree. Earning the graduate certificate will enhance skill sets; provide exposure to new information technologies, theories and practices; allow individuals to work toward various professional certifications; increase growth potential with employers; and increase prospects of obtaining a graduate degree. The graduate certificate program offers existing technical and managerial professionals the chance to improve and hone their communication skills to aide in their professional development.
The information assurance (IA) certificate will provide students with the technical, organizational and managerial background to assist in planning, deploying, and managing security technologies to achieve information assurance.
Program Contact Information
Emily Wiemers, Graduate Advisor
402.554.3819
ewiemers@unomaha.edu
Prospective Student Admission
Program Website
Other Program Related Information
The certificate in information assurance can be obtained online, but students will need to consult with the GPC on course offerings.
Admissions
General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria
Program-Specific Requirements
Application Deadlines (Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025)
- Fall: July 1
- Spring: December 1
- Summer: April 1
Other Requirements
- The minimum undergraduate grade point average requirement for the Information Assurance certificate program is 3.0 or equivalent score on a 4.0 scale. Applicants should have the equivalent of a four-year undergraduate degree.
-
English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
- Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110
- Resume: Submit a detailed resume indicating your work experience and background.
- OPTIONAL Statement of Purpose:
- Applicants may submit a statement of purpose with a maximum of 750 words that address:
- motivations for pursuing graduate education
- relevant qualifications or work experience that demonstrate potential for success in the graduate program
- career goals
- why you want to study at UNO
- Applicants may submit a statement of purpose with a maximum of 750 words that address:
Degree Requirements
Prerequisite Courses
Foundation Requirements
Foundation courses ensure that all students have a strong foundation on which to build the rest of the program. These courses not only provide essential prerequisite knowledge and skills for other courses in the program, but they also contain a distinct body of knowledge that is an important part of the MIS professional’s education. All foundation courses are required for all students. Students who have obtained an undergraduate MIS degree will typically have this foundation. Other students, including computer science or engineering majors, will usually have to take one or more foundation courses. Occasionally, a student’s work experience may be sufficient to waive one or more foundation courses.
Waivers for foundation courses are granted by the chair of the graduate program committee upon the recommendation of the faculty member who is responsible for an individual foundation course. Students requesting a waiver for a particular course should be prepared to meet with a faculty member and answer questions in the area of the course. They should bring to the meeting any relevant transcripts, course syllabi, course material, or evidence of practical experience. Some foundation courses may have an option for testing out.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| ISQA 8030 | INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ETHICS | 3 |
or equivalent | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-9 | |
| AN OVERVIEW OF SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT | ||
| INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSIS and SYSTEM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION and MANAGING THE DATABASE ENVIRONMENT | ||
Requirements
No more than two courses (6 credit hours maximum) can be used on two MIS-related certificates (Data Analytics, Information Assurance, Project Management, and Systems Analysis and Design).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ISQA 8546 | COMPUTER SECURITY MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| ISQA/CYBR 8570 | INFORMATION SECURITY POLICY AND ETHICS | 3 |
| ISQA 8580 | SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| INFORMATION WARFARE AND SECURITY | ||
| SEMINAR IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 1 | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS: INFORMATION SYSTEMS & QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS 1 | ||
| INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Topic must be related to information assurance. Prior approval from the GPC is required to use this course.
Completion of the Certificate
During what is expected to be the semester the certificate is completed and prior to the posted deadline, students should apply for the certificate through MavLINK on or before the deadline. If students complete the application form and do not complete all of the requirements for the certificate, contact the Office of Graduate Studies as soon as possible. Applicants must reapply during the next semester in which you expect to complete the certificate; no additional fee is charged to reactivate your application.
The following requirements are due 12 working days prior to commencement:
- “Incomplete” and “NR” grades from previous terms must be removed so that the grade will be in the Office of Graduate Studies.
- All fees, fines, and other obligations due the university must be settled.
For students currently enrolled in courses that are a part of their plan of study, enrollment must be maintained in order to complete the certificate. A grade for any current enrollment must be received by the Registrar's Office no later than the close of business on the fifteenth working day following the end of a semester.
Awarding of Graduate Certificates
The Office of Graduate Studies will mail the certificate to students when all requirements are completed and all obligations to the university are satisfied. The Graduate College will not approve any changes in the student's permanent record once the certificate is awarded.