Kobe MSIT-IS Dual Degree

In collaboration with the University of Hyogo in Kobe, Japan, the INI offers a two-year, dual-degree program. The program prepares students to become leaders in information security by blending education in information security technology, business management and policy, in addition to providing a unique cultural perspective.

The curriculum provides background, insights and both general and technical coverage of key elements of information security, while equipping students with the analytical methods and management practices to succeed as managers and technologists in the growing and rapidly changing field of information security.

Upon completion of the dual-degree program, students earn graduate degrees in information technology from both Carnegie Mellon University and University of Hyogo. Students earn the Master of Science in Information Technology-Information Security (Kobe MSIT-IS) from the Information Networking Institute, Carnegie Mellon University and the Master of Applied Informatics from the Graduate School of Applied Informatics, University of Hyogo.

An option may be available to students who wish to pursue the Kobe MSIT-IS degree from Carnegie Mellon University only. Single-degree applicants will be considered only in the event that the dual-degree program is not fully enrolled. The single-degree program from Carnegie Mellon University may be completed in 16 months. 

Admission Process

Students are enrolled in the program partly in Japan and partly in the United States. Students in the dual-degree program need to have proficient language skills in English. 

Due to the language and cultural challenges of this program, the admission process has phases. Initially, the admissions committee will review the student's application materials in January to determine candidacy for the dual-degree program. Next, the students will undergo a second review in the summer to determine admission into the Carnegie Mellon program. However, a student who is fully qualified for admission to Carnegie Mellon during the first review may forego the second review.

In late October, the committee will review the student's academic achievement and TOEFL scores to determine the student's ability to continue successfully through the program at one of Carnegie Mellon University's campuses in the United States.

Please note that students whose English language skills or academic achievement do not meet the review standards will not be admitted into Carnegie Mellon University to complete the dual degree.

Binational Location and Schedule

The schedule of the admission reviews and semester locations follows.

Those students who fulfill the admissions criteria but need to improve their English language skills will be enrolled on a conditional basis, known as conditional admits. The conditional admits will work on improving their language skills at the beginning of the dual-degree program.

As a conditional admit or traditional dual-degree student, you start the program in April at the University of Hyogo. As a single-degree student, you start the fall semester in August at the University of Hyogo.

In August, all students take two Carnegie Mellon courses via video teleconferencing (VTC) at the University of Hyogo. Up to three courses (36 units) in addition to the VTC courses can be taken at the University of Hyogo and may be transferred as credit to Carnegie Mellon University. In October, a review of your academic achievement and language skills (TOEFL test score) will determine your eligibility to continue the program at Carnegie Mellon University. Upon completing the first fall semester, you travel to the United States where you will take classes for the next three semesters (spring, summer and the following fall). You earn your Kobe MSIT-IS degree from Carnegie Mellon University in the second December.

In the second January, you return to the University of Hyogo to complete courses for the Masters in Applied Informatics. You complete all of the credits for the dual degree in March. 

Benefits of Two Locations

Kobe exposes you to concepts of information security and privacy in the local context, while Carnegie Mellon University offers you interdisciplinary coursework from the colleges of computer science, business and public policy. You can join Carnegie Mellon University's innovative research groups and interact with faculty who are leaders in their fields. While in the program, whether you're in Japan or the U.S., the state-of-the-art distributed education technology equipment will help you stay connected no matter where you are.

Scholarship Opportunities

All applicants to the dual degree program are eligible to receive full and half tuition scholarships and may also be eligible for interest-free loans from the University of Hyogo. For information regarding the scholarships, please refer to the document Scholarship Programs from Hyogo Institute of Information Education Foundation (PDF) or contact Atsuhito Fukuoko for more details.

Program Learning Objectives

Through this program, you strive to:

• Assess the information security risks faced by an organization
• Understand the technological and human problems linked to these risks
• Evaluate technological tools and protocols available to protect against these risks, mitigate system vulnerabilities and restore services
• Manage the development, acquisition and evolution of a secure information infrastructure
• Assess the impact of information security policy, legal environment and market developments on complex systems and organizational objectives
• Equip yourself for life-long learning and professional growth in information security disciplines

Degree Standards

The program is assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure the integrity of the degree being conferred. The components of the assessment include: direct classroom observation, inter-rating grading analysis to ensure grading consistency, tracking of overall performance, online surveys and focus groups to measure student satisfaction, faculty course evaluations rating overall course and instructor quality, and continuous evaluation of distance learning technologies.

Upon completion, students receive master's degrees from both Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Hyogo.

Go deeper into this program

Curriculum >> Courses >> Admission >> Application Details >> Apply

Kobe Faculty Advisor

Dr. Nicolas Christin

Associate Director, INI
Senior Systems Scientist, CyLab

Office: 4720 Forbes Ave., CIC, Room 2108
Telephone: (412) 268-4432

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