Education and community needs are ever evolving. And, to best reflect that, so are the programs offered at UM-Dearborn.
In three growing fields, UM-Dearborn faculty developed graduate-level instruction to provide an education that will help advance both knowledge and opportunities. You can apply to these new programs at any time; but course registration for Fall 2019 ends Sept. 17.
Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Just two years after starting its bachelors’ in cybersecurity, UM-Dearborn is already adding a master’s program. Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science Di Ma says the fall debut of the M.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance is being driven by student demand and the metro region’s big growth in the field — which saw a 400-percent spike in job postings between 2010 and 2016.
There are currently five other cybersecurity master’s programs in the state. But Ma expects UM-Dearborn’s to stand out for its unique approach, which is both highly multidisciplinary and rooted in technical core studies in computer science and engineering. “The interesting thing about cyber security is that computing is a central part, but you also have to have an understanding of social engineering, human factors, psychology and legal and ethical issues,” Ma told us. The program can be completed entirely on campus, entirely online or a combination of both.
Master of Science in Marketing
College of Business faculty experts leveraged their research skills to learn more about the community’s educational needs. The result? A new graduate program specializing in marketing.
Marketing faculty including Associate Professor Crystal Scott and Professor Aaron Ahuvia discovered employers are increasingly looking for shorter, more specialized alternatives to an MBA. And that mid-career professionals — in particular ones with liberal arts degrees — enjoy the creative aspects of their careers, but want to add analytical knowledge to enhance their skillset and better understand their work’s impact.
So COB Assistant Dean Scott and her team created the M.S. in Marketing. It’s tailored for those looking to sharpen the promotional side of a business education — core courses include customer understanding and market research — and can be completed in a year.
Scott says the degree is for students from a variety of backgrounds — a bachelor’s degree field of study isn’t as important as your interest in marketing and “all areas are welcome.” In addition, UM-Dearborn seniors in their final semester may take up to six credits toward this degree.
Master of Public Administration and Policy
UM-Dearborn is building on the strength of a 40-plus year old graduate program by updating it to best accommodate the growing needs in today’s public and nonprofit sectors.
Transforming the long-standing Master of Public Administration degree by incorporating a public policy education into the program, the new Master in Public Administration and Policy (MPAP) degree will help public and nonprofit leaders master the parts of their jobs where public policy and administration intersect.
Job growth in the nonprofit sector in Michigan and in the government sector nationally has grown rapidly since 2010 and is projected to continue. And with the increasing scarcity of public resources, Social Sciences Department Chair Dale Thomson says this is a program focusing on teaching future community leaders to thoughtfully, creatively and confidently guide staff and collaborative partners.
“Whether it be education, poverty, infrastructure, housing, economic opportunity, health, or the myriad other issues facing our region, we need leaders who can design and implement policies to tackle these tough challenges,” Thomson says. “Our new MPAP program is designed to help build such leaders and help our region thrive.”
