Vehicle Cyber Engineering (VCE)
Meeting the growing demand for cybersecurity engineers
The graduate Vehicle Cyber Engineering program is a hands-on training in connected vehicle cybersecurity. The program meets the growing needs of automotive and military organizations.
The creation of this program comes at a pivotal time in global history, due to the looming threat imposed by cybersecurity around the world. Part of the Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute, it will help increase the field’s professional workforce and reduce the cybersecurity risk to the Dept. of Defense and commercial ground vehicles by educating professionals who can counter-act cybersecurity threats from actors in multi-domain contested environments.
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Graduate Certificate in Vehicle Cyber Engineering
This is a 15 credit (five course) certificate program
Curriculum
Term 1
- VCE5200 or CSSE 5545 Computer Security
- VCE5110 Intro to Cybersecurity
- CSSE 5700 Network Security
Term 2
- VCE 5400 Secured Vehicle Embedded Systems
- VCE5500 or ELEE5500 Secured Vehicle Electronics
Find Admission and Degree Requirements in the Graduate Catalog.
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Master Degree in Vehicle Cyber Engineering
The Master of Science in Vehicle Cyber Engineering degree (MSVCE) is a 30 credit-hour degree designed to provide hands-on training in connected vehicle cybersecurity.
The coursework presented is based on topics that intersect
- electrical engineering
- computer science
- cybersecurity
This relevant, hands-on curriculum is aligned closely with the cybersecurity needs of the vehicle and mobility industries to create an exciting learning environment that will provide a competitive advantage in the workplace for the graduate.
The degree is available as
- combination of in-person and online courses
- or totally online.
Find Admission and Degree Requirements in the Graduate Catalog.
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Admission Requirements and Applying
Requirements:
Typical minimum requirements include an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or a closely related discipline from an accredited university.
Applicants with cyber experience but who need additional technical knowledge to be successful in the master's-level courses, will be required to complete prerequisite courses or modules as part of a conditional admission. These prerequisites will not advance a student toward his/her degree.
Although the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required, a strong score on the GRE will strengthen the application for the Master's program.
Easy On-Line Application Process:
- Apply as a Vehicle Cyber Engineering (VCE) Graduate Student
- Letter of Recommendation
- Resume
- Transcripts
31%
Professional opportunities for cybersecurity engineers to grow by 31% between 2019-29.
$121K
According to ZipRecruiter, specializing as a Cyber Security Engineer Salary can earn up to $121K.
Stackable: The Graduate Certificates can be completed in one year and stack towards the full Master of Science Degree.
Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute
In 2021, Detroit Mercy received a $1.12-million award from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to establish the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute, a regional-based, cybersecurity consortium. This important new consortium consists of multiple academic institutions in southeast Michigan and includes University of Arizona as a research partner. In addition, the Institute will help expand and enhance the cybersecurity engineering workforce through an applied curriculum developed in consultation with industry partners. The formation of the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute enhances Detroit Mercy’s engineering and cybersecurity programs and draws on the University’s rich legacy of educating engineers and technical professionals who work to improve the quality of life of people around the world.
Industry partnerships
To address the growing need for cybersecurity engineers, the Metro-Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute will build on existing relationships with automotive industry and government partners to provide students with valuable real-world experience. The Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute aims to become self-sustained after the fourth year of the program, with goals of developing qualified cybersecurity graduates and creating a multi-pathway educational structure that meets the needs of the vehicle industry and government partners.
The talent level, funding and equipment in metro Detroit is plentiful and cutting edge. Additionally, the transformational work being conducted on autonomous vehicles by the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle System Center, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and numerous start-ups and supplier partners makes the metro Detroit area uniquely qualified to partner with Detroit Mercy and its consortium partners.
—Paul Spadafora, director of Professional Engineering Programs for Detroit Mercy’s College of Engineering & Science
The Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute will lead in the education of our current and future company employees, expand the competency of our workforce to design and protect secure physical cyber systems, including those in electric and autonomous vehicles.
—Kevin Tierney, vice president of Global Cybersecurity at General Motors and chairman of the Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center
Program options to fill cybersecurity needs
Curriculum for the consortium will be developed with the workforce in mind. It includes associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, stackable graduate certificates, hands-on laboratory training and cybersecurity immersion camps for high school students.