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Health Care Security
Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
Focus your cybersecurity expertise on safeguarding healthcare networks and patient information and take the next step to advance your career goals. In Capella’s MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Health Care Security specialization, you’ll learn to analyze federal and state legal security requirements (including HIPAA privacy regulations), determine security risks caused by third parties and evaluate the differences in types of healthcare data. You’ll also master the tools for preventing and investigating security breaches while gaining the foundational knowledge to prepare for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) exam.
At a glance
- Online
- 6 Core courses
- 5 Specialization courses
- Capstone
Reduce your tuition up to $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward scholarship to help fund your master's degree.
Explore health care security courses
- This degree requires a total of 48 program credits
- You’ll need to complete six core courses, five specialization courses and one capstone
Show all descriptions
IAS5110
Digital Forensics Processes
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course apply forensics tools and techniques to investigate incidents, analyze devices, and conduct forensics reporting. Prerequisite(s): IAS5030.
4 quarter credits
IAS5230
Secure Network Design and Engineering
4 quarter credits
Learners investigate abstract data types and how to address them in solving cybersecurity problems related to network design and engineering. Learners also analyze security requirements while designing network operational systems in order to gain approvals in recognition and compliance with organizational governance and processes. Finally, learners articulate how virtualization is implemented, deployed, and used, and describe the implications that interfaces between major components of virtualized systems have for security.
4 quarter credits
IAS5310
Health Care Environment
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners identify health care organizations and their data management practices, develop an understanding of key health care terminology and acronyms, and identify the sources, types, and classification methods of health care data. Learners also analyze privacy rights and state and federal regulations, to formulate how to protect privacy rights while still meeting the demands for greater efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of health care. Finally, learners examine the codes of conduct required of IT professionals working in health care. For MS in Information Assurance and Security learners only.
4 quarter credits
IAS5320
Patient Privacy Rights and HealthCare Regulatory Requirements
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course evaluate the differences between healthcare privacy and healthcare information security and develop their understanding of the healthcare regulatory environment. Learners identify and demonstrate the use of tools and controls used to prevent data breaches, and evaluate the processes for creating forensic evidence of a breach. To help end users comply with data security, learners also develop policies, procedures, and user training, which consists of documentation, communication, and notifications and risk assessment strategies. Prerequisite(s): IAS5200 or IAS5310.
4 quarter credits
IAS5330
Third Party Risk Management in Health Care
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course identify and examine the risks caused by third parties, and the policies and documents required to ensure that they are in compliance with security requirements. Learners evaluate the difference between a third party and a business associate, as well as gain an understanding of the laws, regulations, contracts, and agreements that apply to each. Learners also demonstrate the use of tools and methodologies for auditing and monitoring interactions with third parties and business associates to ensure security compliance. Prerequisite(s): IAS5200 or IAS5310.
4 quarter credits
*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.
What you'll learn
This specialization prepares information security professionals for the specific security needs of the healthcare field. Students learn how to analyze federal and state legal security requirements (including HIPAA privacy regulations), determine security risks caused by third parties and evaluate the differences in types of healthcare data. The curriculum develops your ability to apply compliance and enforcement processes to prevent security breaches and protect patient privacy. You’ll also develop methods to investigate security breaches and create technical safeguards for the healthcare environment.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Interact professionally with internal and third-party stakeholders
- Analyze ethical, legal and regulatory issues related to healthcare security and privacy
- Apply program management and administrative skills to healthcare security and privacy
- Apply information technology and physical/technical safeguards in the healthcare environment
- Apply investigation, compliance and enforcement processes within the healthcare security and privacy environment
How much does the MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
- $735 per credit
- $175 resource kit
- 48 total quarter credits
- 12 max transfer credits
$35,280
NO TRANSFER CREDITS 27 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
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Capella University has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).
MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity admission requirements
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Health Care Security must provide the following information for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A background acknowledgement form that indicates your technology degree or relevant work requirements for this program
- Admission application – no application fee required
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
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What can you do with an MS in IAC Health Care Security degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Health Care Security.
Job titles to explore*
- Cybersecurity architect
- Cybersecurity engineer
- Director of cybersecurity
- Software engineer
- Systems engineer
Employment settings to explore*
- Administrative management and general management consulting services
- Colleges, universities and professional schools
- Direct health and medical insurance carriers
- Engineering services
- General medical and surgical hospitals
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.