WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue University is expanding its online educational offerings in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, giving working professionals new opportunities to develop skills needed to address increasingly complex digital threats.
Purdue Polytechnic Institute is launching two programs: an online Master of Science in cybersecurity and trusted systems and a graduate certificate in applied artificial intelligence and cybersecurity applications.
The programs are designed for information technology professionals, cybersecurity practitioners, and technology leaders who want to strengthen their ability to protect digital systems, identify vulnerabilities. and respond to cyberattacks.
As artificial intelligence becomes more widely used, cybersecurity professionals face evolving challenges involving automated attacks, machine learning and large language models. Purdue’s new offerings aim to prepare students to evaluate those risks and develop strategies to protect organizations and their information.
The master’s degree includes four optional areas of study: applied artificial intelligence and cybersecurity applications, applied cybersecurity foundations, cyber forensics and ethical hacking.
(Purdue University photo/John O’Malley)
Students pursuing cyber forensics will study digital evidence collection, mobile and Internet of Things investigations, forensic techniques and incident response. The ethical hacking pathway focuses on identifying system vulnerabilities and understanding how attackers operate so organizations can strengthen their defenses before a breach occurs.
The applied AI and cybersecurity pathway addresses risks associated with machine learning and large language models, while the foundational pathway emphasizes core cybersecurity principles and practices.
The graduate certificate is designed to provide practical skills that information technology professionals can apply in their current roles. The nine-credit certificate can also count toward Purdue’s online master’s programs in cybersecurity and trusted systems and computer and information technology, subject to separate admission requirements.
Feng Li, professor and head of Purdue’s School of Applied and Creative Computing, said the programs extend the university’s cybersecurity research and industry-focused education to working professionals regardless of location.
The programs are structured to accommodate people balancing education with professional and personal responsibilities, allowing students to develop specialized knowledge while continuing their careers.
By combining technical instruction with practical applications, Purdue aims to help prepare a workforce capable of responding to new cybersecurity challenges and protecting increasingly connected digital environments.
More information about the programs is available through Purdue University.
