Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence (ISI and MISI) programs at Ferris State University Big Rapids Michigan

98.4% of ISI graduates surveyed over the past three years have indicated that they would choose the ISI program if they had to do it over again.

The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence (ISI and MISI) programs prepare you to embark on a career as a cybersecurity professional, data analyst, digital forensic investigator, FBI special agent, risk analyst, penetration tester, and more. Undergraduate students can major in ISI and specialize in several areas including penetration testing, digital forensics/incident response, data analytics, project management, or a foreign language.

Program Details

Accreditation

ABET

The Information Security and Intelligence bachelor's degree program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Dr. Jason Otting - ABET Cybersecurity Program Evaluator

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CYBER CRIME CENTER (DC3)

National Centers of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence
Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3)
Academics Cyber Curriculum Alliance (DACCA)

The National Centers of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) is a partnership between academia, standards bodies, and the US Government to establish best practices for digital forensics education. Education providers are held to digital forensics education standards based upon knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) used in the field. This approach advances the discipline of digital forensics and increases the number of qualified professionals to meet the needs of law enforcement, counterintelligence, national defense, and legal communities.

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY (NSA)

Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C)
The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)

The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation indicates that the ISI Program is helping reduce threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense as well as provide the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Admission Requirements

All associate degree-seeking, bachelor's degree-seeking, and transfer students must meet New Student Admission Requirements.

New Student Admission Requirements

Minimum 3.00 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
Minimum Composite ACT score of 22 and ACT Math score of 22 or SAT Math score of 550.
All students applying for admission to the Information Security and Intelligence program will have to submit a 750 to 1,000 word essay that addresses the following:
- Who they are and why they desire admission to the Information Security and Intelligence program.
- A description of a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience.
- A description of someone that influenced them and why.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Combined college or university GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) from all institutions attended.
GPA is based on completion of 24 credit hours or more.
Completion of the transfer equivalency for Ferris State University’s MATH 115 with a grade of C or higher or have either a minimum ACT Math score of 22 or SAT Math score of 550.
All students applying for admission to the Information Security and Intelligence program will have to submit a 750 to 1,000 word essay that addresses the following:
- Who they are and why they desire admission to the Information Security and Intelligence program.
- A description of a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience.
- A description of someone that influenced them and why.

Minimum computer spec for ISIN students: Laptop; Windows or OSX/MacOS; 8 GB RAM minimum, 16GB strongly recommended; 500 GB Hard Drive; CPU minimum i5 or higher; external USB Drive 1TB.

Admission Questions?

We've got you covered. Contact our Admissions team at [email protected].

Required Student Computing Resources

Laptop or Desktop

Laptop

The student's primary device is a personal laptop.
Chromebooks, iPad or other similar tablet-based systems are not acceptable for course activities.
Bring your laptop to all courses; Classes require students to have a laptop to perform course activities, and some classrooms do not have computer systems.
Students must have hardware access (ports on the laptop) to load course peripherals.
Be careful when choosing a laptop's physical size.
Some students buy a beastly ( in size and weight) gaming laptop, then must lug it around campus for four years.

Desktop

Although one's laptop is the primary device used for the program, many students also use a desktop wherever they live.
Some students plan to remote into their (home or dorm-based) desktop from campus classrooms; this approach is fraught with security challenges and does not work for various reasons.
Students need a laptop in class.
Most classrooms do not have computers.
FSU Dorm and Campus Network security restrictions make remoting to a home or dorm-based asset challenging and impractical.

Dual screens ( highly recommended)

Highly recommended is having two/dual screens.
When one is doing homework having dual monitors saves time and headaches.
Used monitors are inexpensive (go to a used computer parts store) and acquire one for your laptop; you will not regret it.

Windows or Mac Operating System

Stick with the Operating System you are familiar with!
Mac- If you have had a Mac and are acclimated to the OSX operating system – a Mac is fine.
Many students convince themselves or their parents or guardians to buy them a Mac when they have never used one. Unfortunately, they get to class and have double jeopardy because they have to learn how to use a MAC as well as all the ISI content; this is not good, and in most cases, students end up buying a Windows laptop because they fall behind very quickly due to not being familiar with and how to use MAC operating system.

Laptop Hardware Recommendations/Specifications

In order of priority

Random Access Memory (RAM) – as much RAM as one can afford.
16GB – is the bare minimum.
32 GB Windows or Mac is ideal.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
I7 or higher CPU
Windows Pro License ( for Windows Systems)
Pay to upgrade to a Windows Pro license. The pro version has more features we use at higher class levels.
Mac – purchase Microsoft NTFS for Mac by Tuxera
Tuxera NTFS for Mac allows seamless data transfers between any Windows system and ones Mac.
Internal HDD space is the LAST concern, as we use external drives
Other specs as needed or wanted.

External Drives (Required)

External Hard Drive (HDD) - 1 TB or greater
An actual external HDD, not a large USB thumb drive.
USB thumb drive of 8-12 GB or more

Degrees and Certificates

Faculty

Key Courses

Both the Master of Science in ISI and the Bachelor of Science ISI programs are available online. In addition, the BS in ISI is the only cybersecurity program in Michigan that is ABET-accredited in cybersecurity and is currently the only Cyber Security program in the United States that is ABET-accredited to be delivered 100% online.

ISI students focus on cybersecurity, information assurance, compliance and auditing, business intelligence, incident response, and project management. The ISI programs are designated as a National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. Ferris was the first University in the United States to be designated as a Department of Defense/Air Force Cyber Command Center of Digital Forensic Academic Excellence.

This program offers international experience, with opportunities to study abroad, learn from international faculty that have taught on four continents, and earn your degree online. The ISI program is interdisciplinary with partnerships between multiple campus units including the Business Data Analytics and Foreign Languages (Languages/Literature) programs.

Each ISI faculty member has more than 10 years of in-field work experience, an average of four industry certifications, and has published numerous books and journal articles. Further demonstration of research activity includes funding by the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Department of Defense, and other U.S. and international organizations.

Support the ISI Program

Your support of the Information Security and Intelligence program can make a major impact. Consider supporting the program today.

SUPPORT ISI