Online Master’s in Cybersecurity: No GRE Required

This article further explores accredited institutions offering an online cybersecurity master's degree that do not require a GRE.

Why Students Prefer Programs Waiving GRE as a Requirement

While the GRE is an important admission test for many postgraduate programs, there are several reasons why some students would rather not take it.

The GRE test results expire after five years

GRE scores are valid for five years from your test date. During that window you can send scores to additional schools for $40 per recipient. After five years they can no longer be reported, so if you're considering a program that requires the GRE, plan your test date around your application timeline. The test costs $249 in most locations, and ETS offers reduced-fee vouchers for eligible test takers.

This is particularly problematic for adult students. Consider a case of a working professional who already holds a master's degree with a straight-A average from a recognized institution. This likely means they had completed and passed the GRE for their first master's degree. However much they would like to go back to school for an online master's or online doctoral degree, they might have to retake the exam as their GRE test scores may have expired.

The GRE test is time-consuming to take and prepare for

The GRE can be intimidating. The exam takes just under two hours (ETS shortened it in September 2023) and demands intensive concentration as it tests for quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, writing skills, and critical thinking. To get a high score, a student may need to study intensively for several months. In most instances, applications for master's degrees get delayed by more than a year as students prepare for and take the GRE.

Taking and preparing for the GRE is expensive

The quantitative section tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis, and many test takers find it the most demanding part of the exam. Free official practice materials from ETS are a good place to start. Commercial prep courses range from about $500 for self-paced options to $1,200 for live online classes, and private tutoring packages can cost $2,400 or more.

Despite these concerns, there is some good news. You do not have to spend time and resources studying GRE anymore. A growing number of graduate program in cybersecurity no longer require GRE test scores.

Admission Standards for a Graduate Program in Cybersecurity that Do Not Require the GRE

Online master's in cybersecurity that do not require a GRE are still selective about who they admit to their programs, and most universities have other admission requirements that students must meet before they are admitted.

Most online master's degree programs in cyber security that do not require the GRE have a common admission requirement. It is imperative however to not make generalizations. Consult with individual schools on what their admission standards are in place of the GRE score and see if you fulfill them.

The most common standards include:

Undergraduate Coursework

Applicants should have completed specific units in their undergraduate coursework. Most common for cybersecurity online master's include calculus, discrete mathematics, algorithms, forensics, and computer programming.

Undergraduate Major

Applicants should have undertaken an undergraduate degree in computer science, information technology, computer engineering, cyber security, or related technical fields

Certifications and Extra Courses

Applicants who majored in a non-technical undergraduate degree should have taken additional courses in computer science, or should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in Information Technology systems, computer programming, calculus, and other core units.

GPA Minimum

Applicants should have an Undergraduate GPA minimum. The minimum depends on the school, but the range is usually between 2.8 and 3.0 on the lower side. For cyber security and other technical programs, the bar is often higher.

Professional Experience

Applicants should have considerable professional experience in a cybersecurity-related field.

Previous Master's Degree

Applicants should have a previous master's degree. This proves that you are capable of handling coursework at a master's program level.

GMAT and other admission tests instead of GRE

Applicants may be required to take less demanding tests like the GMAT. The GMAT is also less expensive. You might also be required to take a specialized test focusing on elements that the GRE tests e.g. quantitative reasoning.

Relevant Documents

Applicants should attach to their admission applications supporting documents such as a professional CV, letters of recommendation, and transcripts from undergraduate/postgraduate studies, and motivation letters.

How to Evaluate Online Master's in Cyber Security Programs That Doesn't Require A GRE Score

For an online master cyber security program that does not require the GRE score, it might be tempting to think that the schools offering them have low standards. However, as discussed above, most of these online cybersecurity master's degree programs market to non-traditional adult students. These at-work professionals might have a GRE score that is no longer valid, but they have valuable experience. These programs typically accommodate a wider array of students unlike on-campus programs.

If a school does not ask students to take a GRE test before admission, you should query what else they consider essential to admission. It is up to the student to research a prospective grad school to determine if their learning experience will be worthwhile, and that the school is not cutting corners when it comes to admissions.

Common criteria that students can use to evaluate Online Master's in Cybersecurity programs that don't require a GRE test include:

Accreditation

Before applying, confirm that the university holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can check this in the department's accreditation database. For cybersecurity specifically, two additional credentials are worth looking for:

• NCAE-C designation: The NSA's National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program designates schools that meet federal curriculum and outcome standards in cyber defense, cyber operations or cyber research.
• ABET accreditation: ABET accredits individual computing and engineering programs. It's most common at the bachelor's level, so few master's programs carry it.

Industry organizations such as ISC2 and ISACA don't accredit degree programs, but their certifications, like the CISSP and CISM, are a useful sign of whether a curriculum aligns with what employers expect.

Research & Concentrations

If you want to undertake specific elective units, for example, digital forensics, research if these programs offer these concentrations or conduct research in your area of interest before considering enrolling. Also, we recommend asking your admissions counselor how much students are involved in research as part of their curriculum.

Certifications

Research which certifications the program prepares you to obtain upon completion of the online master's cybersecurity degree program. Do these certifications align to the career paths you are most interested in?

Capstones and the Opportunity to Create a Portfolio

Employers in the cybersecurity field are interested in what you have achieved practically, not just the papers you have written. Will you be involved in a capstone project during the online program? Are there opportunities to go for an internship mid-program?

Networking & Local Activities

Online programs do not have to be isolating. Check whether the program organizes local internships, student meetups, and if they encourage conference attendance.

Employment Opportunities

A credible online cybersecurity master's degree program will have links with recruitment firms and companies hiring cybersecurity professionals. Make sure to spend considerable time with your admissions counselor understanding graduation outcomes. Explore whether students secure internships during the course of the program and full-time jobs as cybersecurity professionals upon graduation. It is also important to inquire about the relevant job placement rate for graduates from a certain school is before applying.

Rankings and Reputation

Rankings from outlets like U.S. News & World Report can help you build a shortlist, but treat them as one input. Check whether a program holds an NCAE-C designation, review its curriculum and faculty, and ask admissions for outcomes data such as graduate employment rates. Alumni on LinkedIn can also tell you how the program prepared them for their careers.

Experiential Learning

A good online Master's in Cybersecurity will strive to mimic real-world classroom learning, e.g., a cyber lab that allows students to simulate hackers. You should also check with alumni what their experience with such technology was.

Examples of Online Master's in Cybersecurity that don't require a GRE

Below are several accredited online cybersecurity master's programs that don't require the GRE, along with what they look for instead.

Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals: MS in Cybersecurity

• Prerequisites include one year of calculus, one advanced math course (discrete math preferred), one semester of Java, and coursework in data structures and computer organization.
• Applicants missing prerequisites may receive provisional admission and complete those courses with a grade of B– or higher.
• A detailed résumé is optional and lets you highlight relevant professional experience.

Syracuse University: Online MS in Cybersecurity

• No GRE scores are required.
• Applicants need a bachelor's degree, preferably in a technical field, and demonstrated competency in data structures, discrete math and programming.
• Applicants without that background may be conditionally admitted and complete a bridge sequence first.

Indiana University: MS in Cybersecurity Risk Management

• GRE, GMAT and LSAT scores are optional.
• Applicants need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and two letters of recommendation.
• Available fully online or in a hybrid format.

Drexel University: Online MS in Cybersecurity

• GRE scores are preferred but not required. Applicants who submit scores should aim for a combined verbal and quantitative score of 300 or higher.
• Requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, two letters of recommendation, a résumé and a personal essay.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering: Online MS in Cybersecurity

• The GRE is optional for all of Tandon's online degree programs.
• Applicants need a bachelor's degree. A computer science background is preferred, and applicants without one can start with Tandon's Bridge program.

Tulane University: Online MS in Cybersecurity Management

• No GRE or letters of recommendation are required.
• The 33-credit program is fully online and can be completed in as few as 15 months.

With a Master's in Cybersecurity, you'll be ready for top-paying jobs like these:

According to the BLS, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 21% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Median annual wages for key cybersecurity-related occupations (BLS, May 2025):

*BLS has no separate category for information security engineers; O*NET classifies them under Computer Occupations, All Other, a broad catch-all. At the executive level, the 90th percentile for computer and information systems managers is $297,510. See more on our cybersecurity salaries page.

Final Thoughts on the GRE and Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs

As much as a GRE test score has previously been a prerequisite when getting into a master's program, a new trend is rising where institutions waive the requirement. This allows non-traditional adult students to come back to school without as many hurdles, and also allows for smoother transitions from undergraduate to an online master's in cybersecurity or any other technical field. Programs that drop the GRE still look for other qualifications, such as prior work experience or completion of mathematical courses.

If you are planning to pursue an online master's in cybersecurity without sitting a GRE test, we hope this guide has prepared you on what requirements you require to attend certain universities.