Cybersecurity, offered at University of the Cumberlands as the Master of Science in Cyber-Engineering, is one of the programs most directly connected to the university's international enrollment story: it is STEM-designated, low-cost relative to most US master's degrees, and structured around the same low-barrier, criteria-based admissions model that defines Cumberlands generally. Alongside the standard MS in Information Systems Security, it's one of two closely related cybersecurity-adjacent graduate paths the university offers.
This article covers the acceptance picture, cost, admission requirements, English-test rules, and the CPT/OPT and STEM-OPT policy that makes this program a popular choice.
Acceptance Rate
University of the Cumberlands does not publish a program-specific acceptance rate for Cyber-Engineering. Admission follows the university's general graduate criteria: a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale from a bachelor's degree or higher. GRE/GMAT is waived if your cumulative undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or above; applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be asked to submit the GRE.
Because Cumberlands' graduate admission is criteria-based rather than comparative, meeting the published GPA threshold is close to sufficient on its own, consistent with the university's broader positioning as a high-access, low-barrier graduate school.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
Cyber-Engineering follows Cumberlands' standard graduate tuition structure, dramatically below the US graduate norm.
| Program level | Cost |
|---|---|
| Graduate (standard online) | ~$355/credit hour (average) |
| Graduate (executive programs) | $549/credit hour |
The program is typically 31 credit hours, completed in roughly 12-18 months depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. At the standard online rate, total tuition for the degree runs roughly $11,000-$11,500; at the executive rate, closer to $17,000. For the full university-wide cost picture, see the Cumberlands guide.
Admission Requirements
- Completed graduate application and application fee
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) institutions
- Minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0; GRE/GMAT waived if cumulative GPA is 3.0 or above
- An undergraduate degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field (relevant work experience may also be considered)
- English proficiency score (see below)
- Students previously on academic probation for more than one semester, or suspended from a Cumberlands program, are not eligible for admission into a new program
How to Get Into Cumberlands' Cyber-Engineering Program
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Aim for a 3.0 GPA or higher to skip the GRE entirely. Because Cumberlands waives GRE/GMAT at that threshold, a transcript at or above 3.0 meaningfully simplifies your application.
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Decide deliberately between the standard and executive tracks. The executive track is structured around integrated CPT from the first semester and costs more per credit hour ($549 vs. ~$355); understand the trade-offs (see below) before choosing.
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Document your technical background clearly if your degree isn't in cybersecurity or CS. A related field with demonstrable technical coursework strengthens your case for admission.
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Submit English proficiency scores early, since Cumberlands' thresholds (TOEFL 65, IELTS 6.0) are on the lower end nationally and rarely the blocking factor.
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Confirm current employer-partnership and cooperative-agreement requirements directly with UC Global if you're planning to use CPT, since eligibility depends on a signed cooperative agreement and a written job offer specific to your field.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
Cyber-Engineering follows Cumberlands' standard graduate English proficiency minimums; there is no separately published program-specific override in the sources reviewed.
| Test | Graduate minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 65 (updating to a "4" on TOEFL's 1-6 scale for tests after Jan 21, 2026) |
| Duolingo English Test | 100 |
Cumberlands' official pages do not list a published PTE threshold; confirm directly with admissions if PTE is your only test. For the full set of waivers, see the Cumberlands guide.
Career Outcomes and CPT/OPT Policy
CPT (Curricular Practical Training): this is the defining practical feature of Cumberlands' graduate programs, confirmed directly on the university's official CPT/OPT/STEM Employment page. Graduate students can request CPT starting in their first semester, since it's built in as an integral part of the academic program, particularly in executive tracks. CPT requires a written job offer on company letterhead, a signed cooperative agreement with the employer, and concurrent enrollment in the corresponding course. There is no limit on part-time CPT, but accumulating 12 months or more of full-time CPT disqualifies a student from OPT eligibility, a critical trade-off to plan around.
OPT and STEM OPT: standard F-1 graduates are eligible for 12 months of OPT. The Master of Science in Cyber-Engineering is STEM-designated, qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, requiring an E-Verify-enrolled employer and a completed Form I-983 training plan, extending total work authorization to up to three years.
The practical read: Cumberlands' combination of low tuition, a low admission barrier, first-semester CPT eligibility, and STEM-OPT designation is a genuinely distinctive, official policy, but the full-time-CPT-versus-OPT trade-off is worth understanding fully, ideally by speaking directly with UC Global, before enrolling.
FAQ
What GPA do I need for Cumberlands' Cyber-Engineering program? A minimum of 2.5/4.0. GRE/GMAT is waived if your cumulative GPA is 3.0 or above; below that, the GRE may be required.
Is the Master of Science in Cyber-Engineering STEM-designated? Yes, which qualifies graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of standard 12-month OPT.
How much does the program cost? At Cumberlands' standard online rate (~$355/credit hour) for a 31-credit program, total tuition runs roughly $11,000-$11,500. The executive track, at $549/credit hour, costs more but includes integrated CPT.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need? IELTS 6.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 65 (updating to a "4" on the redesigned scale from January 2026).
Can heavy CPT use affect my OPT eligibility? Yes. Accumulating 12 months or more of full-time CPT disqualifies a student from OPT eligibility, so plan your CPT usage carefully if you intend to use OPT after graduation.