Dubai Police Academy has introduced a new master’s degree in cybersecurity, a one-year program with a tuition fee of Dh60,000. Starting in December, this course is available to UAE citizens and residents and is the first of its kind among police colleges in the Arab world.
Dr. Ebtsam Al Awadhi, Director of Graduate Studies at Dubai Police Academy, stated the program spans one academic year, comprising three semesters and a summer term. “The master’s will delve into four main areas: policy and management, digital forensics, digital infrastructure and security, and scientific research and publishing,” she explained.
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Eligible applicants must be UAE citizens or residents with a bachelor’s degree in law, security sciences, or a related field from a university accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 and having at least five years of professional experience in cybersecurity.
English proficiency is required, with a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, TOEFL CBT 5.5, TOEFL IBT 550, or a degree from an English-medium institution in an English-speaking country. Candidates must also pass an academic exam and a personal interview.
Unlike other police academic programs, which typically last two to three years, this degree requires 30 credit hours and is designed to be completed in just one year.
Dr. Saeed Al Rashdi, a cybersecurity expert, emphasized that the course addresses market demands. “The program is crafted with direct input from the labor market, and faculty members will be industry specialists. Practical training will dominate, complemented by theoretical studies,” he said.
Dubai Police has been pivotal in combating cybercrime, with a robust infrastructure for digital crime investigation. The Criminal Data Analysis Centre collaborates with the General Department of Criminal Investigations (CID) to use technology and AI to identify criminal hotspots and predict cyber threats.
The force has effectively disrupted complex cyber-fraud schemes. In one instance, electronic intelligence units dismantled a criminal gang behind a multi-billion-dirham fraud using advanced e-tracking systems.
Graduates from the cybersecurity master’s program are expected to be well-equipped to support such missions. Academy officials highlighted that cybersecurity job opportunities are likely to expand, and outstanding students may be considered for positions within Dubai Police’s cybersecurity division.
Registration is now open on the academy’s website, with the first batch expected to consist of 15 to 20 students.
