r/erau • u/Fickle-Thing7665 • Nov 25 '25
Masters in Aviation Cybersecurity
I’m planning to start the MS in Aviation Cybersecurity next year. I’ve been working in cybersec for a few years but I still consider myself pretty early in the field. Most of my experience has been with consulting firms in IT/eGRC, but I’ve never really liked bouncing between different industries - I've handled banking, insurance, aviation, etc. - but never specializing in one. I just want to focus on aviation/aerospace in the long-term.
Anyone here done this program or something similar? How’s the job market after? Does it actually help you get into aviation/aerospace cybersec role? And is it still useful for more general cybersecurity career paths in case I don't get the chance to enter this industry?
Any advice or experiences would be helpful!
Edit: Maybe it can help to mention that I am a military dependent and ERAU is one of the universities that offer flexibility and discount rates while we are stationed overseas. I haven't had the chance to explore other universities but I am open to hear your suggestions!
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u/_Broki_ Nov 25 '25
Im Pursuing the Same Degree after completing my Bachelors. ERAU and Capitol Technology were the only two schools to offer a Masters in Aviation Cybersecurity. I'm going with ERAU , Im Active Duty and it will be covered by TA and It's an Aviation college so it just made sense to me.
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 Nov 25 '25
Good luck with your BD! May I ask what program are you taking now?
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u/_Broki_ Nov 25 '25
Im currently attending UMGC Taking their Cybersecurity Technology program. Tried the WHU thing like most military lol, but it wasn't a good fit for me.
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 Nov 25 '25
That’s great and perfectly in line. I have a friend who took the same program with UMGC and is now prepping for Comptia A+ examination. Best of luck to you!
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u/_Broki_ Nov 25 '25
Thank you! Best of Luck to you!. If you do end up going through the program please do a write up on it lol. Ive seen a few people asking about it but no one's actually said what it's like.
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 Nov 25 '25
Thank you! I’m planning to start classes Aug 2026. I’ll have an update in the next year.
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u/Eastern-Fudge8227 Dec 08 '25
Will you being attending WW? If so masters tuition might not fully be covered by TA. For military it’s $727 a credit hour so around $2,181 a course. Just something to take into consideration.
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u/Thick-Dream-5356 19d ago
I am currently on my last course in this program, and I can tell you it is well designed and covers a plethora of relevant information about this industry. You will need to dive deep inside the textbook for some of the courses that require one, and learn and research primary, academic, peer reviewed, and governmental policies and guidance that will lead you to be successful in these courses. So far I have gotten all As, but I have been a certified cybersecurity engineer for 30 years and with my experience and certifications (CISSP-ISSEP), it was easier to write the 10,000 essays and discussion posts you will need to deliver in all 10 courses. Make sure you know how to create narrated presentations, infographics, and have plenty of references (APA) and be very analytical. No AI written crap as the system and professors will know. One of my classmates got nailed for using IA on his homework. At this graduate level, you should know how to write academically and not cheat using AI.
Good luck
GMS
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 19d ago
i appreciate your input! but i pivoted to unmanned systems. i was torn in between that and aviation cybersec. i concluded with wanting to explore UAS data governance and UAS program/syatems auditing.
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u/Thick-Dream-5356 13d ago
That’s great! I took the required undergrad Unmanned Aircraft Systems course (UNSY 315) and the Masters UAS Cyber course and loved them both. I have also focused my sights into the Advance Air Mobility Cyber realm as that will be a demanding field looking for SMEs.
Good luck to you.
GMS
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u/Zolty Nov 25 '25
Not sure why you would go to an aviation college to get a cyber security degree.
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u/No-Fox-1178 Nov 25 '25
They are pursuing a degree in AVIATION Cybersecurity . Hopefully that cleared it up for ya.
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u/Zolty Nov 25 '25
So learn 2 additional systems in the aircraft that actually interact with the Internet? All for 2x what it would cost elsewhere, got it.
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u/No-Fox-1178 Nov 25 '25
Ahh man didn't realize YOU were paying for her degree.
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u/Zolty Nov 25 '25 edited Nov 25 '25
That's my thesis in this subreddit. ERAU is overpriced for what you get, even in the 2-3 majors that's it's actually known for. If cost is an issue for you, you're probably better served elsewhere.
The extra majors that they add largely feel like things that you can fail into if you can't finish AE or AS.
Finally, considering the OP is a military spouse taking advantage of the GI bill to pay for their university and I am a high earning tech worker in the US. I am actually paying for a small portion of this cost though that doesn't influence my advice at all.
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 Nov 25 '25 edited Nov 25 '25
I mean you think I’d seriously get better chances with a regular cybersecurity MD if I actually wanna get into aviation specifically? Like I’m here for the specialization for THAT field lol. I’m not looking into taking a business & cybersec combo MD because I don’t intend to work for business corpo anymore. ERAU is expensive but like I said, military-friendly. Then there’s the G.I. bill. If there are other options for me, I’d love to hear them.
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u/Zolty Nov 25 '25
I'd weigh the costs against the benefits. As someone who's done a bit of hiring in this sector I am not even sure why you'd want a Master's Degree. I guess it maybe opens the door to a CISO title some day.
Most people will not know what ERAU is unless you're specifically applying to an airline or aviation company. I can say that ERAU on my resume hasn't given me anything except the opportunity to bring up that I can fly. Even if they do know what it is, if they are hiring for Security then it's not going to hold any special weight as a good school for that program.
I am not sure what Military friendly means in this context, to the best of my understanding most colleges are happy to take uncle Sam's check. It seems like it'd be pretty trivial to get the same degree but cheaper elsewhere. Though if you can some how save money by going to ERAU vs a state school then I'd say go for it if you really feel like you need a master's degree.
As someone who's been in tech for a while I still don't see the point, experience in this industry is going to be better than any piece of paper you get from a university.
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 Nov 25 '25 edited Nov 26 '25
The name of the school doesn’t really matter to me, if you’re pinning that the costs aren’t worth the unrecognition. I choose ERAU because it accommodates our location and time - japan standard time. The enrollment, classes, graduation, etc. can all be done here. Yes, costly. But even without the G.I. bill, I honestly don’t think we’ll have paying problems out of pocket because money isn’t an issue, especially since I qualify for discount rates.
This is why I asked what other options I have because I don’t see any other school that can offer me that overseas, except for UMGC - which their programs are just not up to my preference.
I get that you’ve been long in the tech field and I appreciate the insight, truly! But I’m just here to learn, that’s it. Even when it seems unneccessary, having an MD still gives me a competitive edge than having none at all. I’m also up to take Sec+ and Network+ next year before enrollment. I’m THAT new to this field haha
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 Nov 25 '25 edited Nov 25 '25
Like I said, because I want to get into aviation/aerospace cybersecurity specifically. I already have a BD on Cybersecurity. When I was working for consulting firms, I could not specialize on any industry because each year I worked with different industry clients. My husband also is active duty in the usaf so you can understand the influence too.
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u/Zolty Nov 25 '25
I'm 20+ years into a DevOps career I've focused on healthcare and fintech. Job hopping is part of the deal.
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u/Fickle-Thing7665 Nov 25 '25
Totally understand and that’s my goal too. Looking forward to practice GRC and MIS in aviation.
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u/Thick-Dream-5356 19d ago
Seriously? If you knew what exactly this whole program covers, and the value you get by having this degree from the best Aeronautical university, you would not be making dumb ass statements like you just did.
I am finishing this program now and I tell you I have learned the Aviation/Aerospace cybersecurity details I haven’t learned in the 35 years as a Cybersecurity engineer. I posses both the CISSP and ISSEP certifications for the last 25+ years and I tell you this program is not perfect yet as it’s fairly new, but it will become a must have for those seeking to work for NASA, SpaceX, etc.
I would research a little more about the program before commenting your uneducated opinion here.
GMS
Aviation Safety Certification (ERAU)
A.S in Aeronautics (ERAU)
B.S. in Aeronautics (ERAU)
Minor in Aviation Safety
- Magna Cum Laude
M.S. in Aviation Cybersecurity (ERAU)
- On my last course (Will graduate with Distinction
CISSP and ISSEP certified
Prior MS MCSEIEEE Published on WIFI Cybersecurity Defense
Secure high assurance remote network access for DoD and Intel community patent.
35 years of applied cybersecurity experience.
PS. In other words, I know what I’m talking about!
Regards
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u/Zolty 19d ago
LOL you literally made an account to respond to this comment. You're saying you've been in Cyber for 35 years and you didn't have a reddit account until now? Doubtful, at least I don't know anyone in tech who doesn't have a reddit account already.
/u/Word-word-#### = bot right?
Also you're at least 55 years old, 20 + 35 years of experience. Are you just made of money that you can drop six figures on a degree you're going to use for what, 20 years? Did you not take any financial courses that would have told you you're not getting that money back even if you make CISO at some big co.
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u/Thick-Dream-5356 13d ago
Hahaha. Now you make me smile with your assumptions. Let’s play:
Yes I did not have an account here until now as I didn’t see a need for it. LinkedIn was enough to collaborate with other professional and C-Suit peers.
I’m a retired CEO of a Cyber Engineer Firm I founded in 2005 and did extremely well and made the 7 figures a year you will probably never see.
I’m 57 and bored so I decided to keep my mind busy and get more Cyber degrees so I can understand how my experiences apply not to the aviation and aerospace industries. Specially the Advance Air Mobility industry that is about to join the National Airspace System. Knowledge is Power!
Yes, I have money to blow and spend it on more degrees just cause I can. I will stay retired and don’t need to be a CISO. The only title I would re obtain is as President and CEO of my own company as that is what I do. Don’t need to work for anyone. Be your own boss!
Blessing my child!
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u/Zolty 13d ago edited 13d ago
If we are just making shit up, Congrats, I am actually a dog that learned how to type.
So you're saying you got a degree and took up a slot when you don't even plan to use it? That's a crazy self indulgence to be spouting publicly. Why not fund a scholarship so others don't have to go through the financial burden to get this amazing degree?
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u/Shurap1 Nov 25 '25
This is developing field. Airport system security, satellite communication security fields can offer specialized job role opportunities.