Information Assurance Certificate

Department of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis, College of Information Science & Technology

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

Martina Greiner, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
282B Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) 
402.554.2174
mgreiner@unomaha.edu

Emily Wiemers, Graduate Advisor
170 Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI)
402.554.3819
ewiemers@unomaha.edu

Prospective Student Admission

advising-cist@unomaha.edu

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 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024)

  • 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

Degree Requirements

Prerequisite Courses

The following courses are prerequisite courses for the required courses. Elective courses may have additional prerequisites. All prerequisites must be completed with grades of "B" or better.

Select one of the following:3
ISQA 8030INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ETHICS3
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). 

Required Courses
ISQA 8546COMPUTER SECURITY MANAGEMENT3
ISQA/CYBR 8570INFORMATION SECURITY POLICY AND ETHICS3
ISQA 8580SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT3
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 Credits12
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.