This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Information Security and Privacy

Master of Science in Information Security and Privacy

For More Information

Campus address: UT Administration Building (UTA) 5.202, phone (512) 718.5776, fax (512) 471-3971; campus mail code: D8600

Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, School of Information, 1616 Guadalupe, Room 5.202, D8600, Austin TX 78701

E-mail: msisp@utexas.edu

URL: msisp.ischool.utexas.edu

Facilities for Graduate Work

Facilities for students in the School of Information include an Information Technology Laboratory, two computer classrooms, conservation and preservation laboratories, a video-editing suite, multimedia teaching stations in all classrooms, access to a usability and accessibility laboratory, an information retrieval and crowdsourcing lab, and a digital archeology lab, a computer vision lab, and a virtual reality lab. Students have access to advanced computer equipment and software for instructional and research use. Students receive a full-service Internet account and have access to various computer operating systems, such as Macintosh, Windows, and Linux.

Areas of Study

The Master of Science in Information Security and Privacy at the School of Information and the Center for Identity educates professionals who engage in information security and privacy at all levels of responsibility. The School of Information and the Center for Identity manage the program and cooperate in its planning and execution. The degree program offers a holistic, interdisciplinary curriculum ensuring that professionals from multiple market sectors, roles, and levels of responsibility acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective stewards of information. Graduates of the program will be leaders of technological, policy, legal, and societal initiatives to advance information security and privacy.

The 21-month executive program provides graduate education for professionals while they continue their careers, as well as others with an interest in information security and privacy. Classes meet on one Friday and Saturday each month for five semesters. Students complete a capstone Professional Experience and Project (PEP) course integrating their experience and their coursework to complete a project of their choice under faculty supervision.  Students may participate in classes on campus or via distance learning, using synchronous online technologies. All students are required to attend an orientation session before beginning their first semester.

The Master of Science in Information Security and Privacy (MS ISP) uses the depth and breadth of expertise that exists both within the School of Information and academic units throughout The University of Texas at Austin in order to provide an interdisciplinary program that addresses all aspects of information security and privacy. Coursework includes courses in technology, law, public policy, communications, social and cultural perspectives on identity, and business. All courses required for program completion are offered in accordance with University policies that govern non-formula-funded (Option III) programs.1

The following faculty members served on the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) in the spring 2020 semester.


Paul C Adams
Dawna Ballard
Suzanne Barber
Randolph G Bias
Philip Doty
Kenneth Robert Fleischmann
Matthew S McGlone
Huseyin Tanriverdi