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    Program Detail

    Cybersecurity & Leadership - School of Engineering & Technology (Tacoma) - MC&L

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    Basic Information

    Degree Information

    Degree Offered: MASTER OF CYBERSECURITY AND LEADERSHIP
    CIP Code: 11.1003
    Campus: Tacoma

    Admission Requirements and Contact Information


    Contact Information

    Victoria Olive - Graduate Advisor
    Program Website
    +1 253-692-4952
    olivev@uw.edu

    Requirements and Prerequisites

    To be eligible for admission to MCL, applicants must satisfy these minimum requirements and prerequisites:

    • The successful completion of a baccalaureate and/or graduate degree(s) from a regionally accredited institution in the US with a recalculated, admit-GPA of at least 3.00/B or its international equivalent.
    •  Evidence of technical proficiencies in Computer Networking.
    • Evidence of technical proficiencies in Computer Programming.
    •  At least two (2) years of relevant, full-time professional work experience in the technology industry and/or in managerial, supervisory, or leadership roles. Military service is also acceptable.

    A degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or information technology is not required. However, candidates are required to demonstrate knowledge of computer programming and computer networking as well as relevant, full-time professional work experience.

    Technical proficiencies in Computer Programming can be demonstrated by providing documentation in at least one (1) of the following areas:

    • Previous academic coursework in Java, C#, C++, C, Python, or Linux taken at the college-level for credit and receiving a grade of 2.70/B- or better.
    •  Professional work experience.

    Technical proficiencies in Computer Networking can be demonstrated by providing documentation in at least one (1) of the following areas:

    • Previous academic coursework in connecting networks, network security, network structure, or network applications taken at the college-level for credit and receiving a grade of 2.70/B- or better.
    • Professional work experience.
    • Valid certifications or credentials such as CISSP, CompTIA+ or AWS.

    A kind notice that ungraded certificates complete through online learning platforms such as Coursera or Udemy will not satisfy the Computer Programming and Computer Programming prerequisites on their own.

    Applicants missing the computer programming, computer networking, and/or professional work experience requirements may be denied admission. MCL does not offer conditional/provisional admission for the completion of outstanding prerequisites.

    Questions about degree equivalencies, admit-GPA calculations, and/or perquisites satisfaction should email their unofficial transcripts and current resume directly to their Graduate Advisor Victoria (olivev@uw.edu).

    Prospective students are encouraged to attend a virtual/Zoom information session: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/set/advising/events.
     

    Required Application Materials

    • Unofficial transcripts documenting the undergraduate/bachelor’s degree.
    • Unofficial transcripts documenting any post-baccalaureate coursework taken for college-level credit that received a grade (if applicable).
    • Unofficial transcripts documenting any graduate-level degree(s) and/or credentials (if applicable).
    • Students with in-progress degrees should submit their most recent unofficial transcripts documenting whatever coursework they've com’leted at the time that they submit their MCL application.
    • Evidence of English Language Proficiency (ELP, if applicable). See Policy 3.2 from the UW Graduate School.
    • Two (2) recommendation letters from appropriate academic and/or professional sources.
    • Resume or CV/
    • Personal statement.

    GRE Requirements
    GRE Requirement: Optional/Not Required. Submitting GRE scores is not required. However, if official scores are submitted, they may be considered during the review process.
    More Information: GRE scores are NOT a required application material.

    Applicants who have already taken the GRE exam and would like their scores considered alongside their other application materials may self-report their scores voluntarily.
    Additional Instructions

    MCL is a full-time, accelerated, 12-month program.

    MCL admits incoming students once per year for Summer (late June) Quarter only.

    Classes are offered in-person, on-campus on Saturday mornings and afternoons. MCL cannot be completed as a 100% online/remote program.

    Ten (10) required courses are offered sequentially over four (4) consecutive academic quarters – or twelve (12) months. A Cybersecurity Technology course from SET and a Business course from MSB are delivered concurrently over Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters, totaling eight (8) courses. Another two (2) required capstone courses are offered for both Winter and Spring Quarters.

    Click here to download the MCL Curriculum Guide.

    All MCL students submit a team-based capstone project as their degree-completion option.
     

    GRE Policy

    Official GRE scores are not required for the MCL application. Applicants who have already taken the GRE and would like their scores reviewed alongside their other application materials may voluntarily report them in the “Self-Reported Test Scores” section of the application.

    Applicants do not need to formally request a GRE waiver.
     

    ELP Requirement and Official Test Scores

    Applicants satisfying the ELP requirement through the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam(s) must first self-report them in the “Self-Reported Test Scores” section of the application.

    Applicants should then order their official scores from the corresponding testing agency and have them sent directly to UW Graduate Admissions.

    A kind notice that it may take up to three (3) weeks for UW Graduate Admissions to receive, verify, and upload your official ELP exam scores to your application.

    Each testing agency has different instructions for how to order official scores and send them. Follow the instructions linked below.

    Sending TOEFL iBT Scores

    Sending IELTS Scores

    Sending Duolingo Scores

    Submitted applications missing official ELP exam scores are considered incomplete and will not be forwarded to the MCL Admissions Committee for review. MCL does not offer conditional/provisional admission for the receipt of official ELP exam scores.



    Non-Native English Speaker Information
    Graduate School requirement: English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency as outlined in Graduate School Policy 3.2.

    International Student Information
    Applicants who will need a visa should reference the International Applicant Information page. If admitted to the program, international students requesting an F1 or J1 visa will be required to provide financial ability documentation to the UW Graduate School.

    Students intending to study on an F-1 student visa should apply no later than March 10, 2025. This is to ensure that there is sufficient time for new student onboarding tasks, I-20 review and issuance, visa processing, and arriving in the US prior to classes starting in late June. 

    Program Deadlines


    Summer 2026 - Domestic:
    Open Date: 09/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Summer 2026 - International:
    Open Date: 09/01/2025
    Deadline Date:

    Application Materials


    Personal Statement
    2 Recommendation(s)Resume