NC State is leveraging its interdisciplinary strengths and building institutional momentum with the launch of four new master’s programs. Each program reflects the university’s commitment to academic innovation, cross-college collaboration, and future-ready education.
The new degrees—the Master of Science in Global One Health, Master of Science in cybersecurity, a Master in Agricultural Business Management (MABM), and Master of Science in wide bandgap semiconductors (MSWBGS)—are designed to meet evolving workforce needs while expanding NC State’s leadership in frontier research and interdisciplinary education.
These programs build on NC State’s excellence in science, technology, agriculture, engineering and design. They prepare students to contribute to high-growth sectors shaping the 21st-century economy, from advanced chips to integrated global health solutions.
“These programs represent a strategic effort to shape and steward the university’s academic portfolio. We champion bold academic ideas, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and turn vision into action,” said Helen Chen, senior vice provost for Academic Strategy and Innovation.
“Our new master’s degree programs are part of a larger institutional strategy to continue to provide an experiential education to our students that will prepare them for an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden. “I am proud to be a part of an R1 institution that can continue to expand educational options with unsurpassed quality.”
Programs Aligned with Workforce Needs and Frontier Research
These degrees sit at the intersection of workforce demand and NC State’s frontier research strengths. They also leverage the university’s unique interdisciplinary capabilities—bringing together expertise across colleges to create programs that reflect how real-world problems are solved. Each degree equips students with skills that support North Carolina’s growing economy while advancing innovation in critical national priority areas.
Program Highlights
M.S. in Global One Health
This program draws on strengths across veterinary medicine, agriculture, natural resources, engineering and design. Students learn to address health challenges that connect human, animal, plant and ecosystem health.
“This M.S. program is essential for training the next generation of global leaders who can apply interdisciplinary knowledge and One Health principles to address complex challenges by connecting human, animal, and environmental health, translating research into real-world action,” said Sid Thakur, executive director of the Global One Health Academy.
M.S. in Cybersecurity
Jointly offered by the Departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering, this degree program provides a comprehensive foundation in software and hardware security. A required practicum connects students with industry partners to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges.
“NC State’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity is designed to take a student who already has a strong foundation in computer science and engineering and give them deep expertise in security. In the degree’s foundational courses, they will learn not only how and why past systems have failed, but also how to design future systems that are resilient to attack and ensure end-user privacy,” said William Enck, Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Security Sciences and Laurie Williams, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Computer Science. “In the degree’s project courses, students will develop the skills needed to function as team members in real-world situations, applying the foundational principles learned to design solutions to challenges provided by practitioners. When students enter the job market, their cybersecurity knowledge will be a key differentiator from applicants with a traditional computer science and engineering degree alone.”
M.S. in Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (MSWBGS)
Built on NC State’s national leadership in semiconductor research, this program prepares students to contribute to CHIPS Act priorities and the rapidly expanding semiconductor, defense and advanced manufacturing sectors. Coursework covers materials, processes, and devices at the core of wide bandgap technologies.
“Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors are critical for our nation. Investments in WBG are driving state-of-the-art advances in semiconductor manufacturing, power electronics, RF systems, electric vehicles, renewable energy, aerospace systems, and resilient energy infrastructure,” said Veena Misra, head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “To continue this important trajectory, we need a workforce that understands wide bandgap semiconductors, and NC State is uniquely positioned to lead this effort. With the new MSWBGS degree, jointly offered by NC State’s Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, we will train a new generation of engineers to prepare them for the rapidly growing ecosystem surrounding next-generation power, RF, photonic and Quantum devices and systems.”
Master in Agricultural Business Management (MABM)
The first agribusiness-focused master’s program in the UNC System, the MABM blends agricultural sciences with business principles—analytics, sales, marketing, entrepreneurship and policy. Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles and will support economic development in rural North Carolina.
“Strong leadership and a robust workforce are essential to the future of North Carolina’s agriculture and food industry, said Junjie Wu head of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. “The MABM will develop the next generation of agribusiness leaders for the state and the nation by leveraging NC State’s expertise in economics and business, alongside its strengths in science and technology, to solve real-world agribusiness challenges.”
A Collaborative Academic Planning Review Process That Accelerates Innovation
These new degrees reflect the power of coordinated, cross-campus collaboration. This shared effort strengthened academic quality, aligned programs with institutional priorities, and accelerated the pace at which innovative ideas move from concept to implementation. Programs are now preparing for recruitment and implementation, with the first cohorts expected to begin in fall 2026.
The Master of Science in Global One Health is currently accepting applications for the first cohort for the fall 2026 semester (priority deadline is Feb. 28). For more information and to apply, click here.
The Master of Science in cybersecurity is currently accepting applications for the fall 2026 semester (deadline is May 1). For more information about the program and admissions requirements, click here. Interested students can also complete the interest form located on the program website to receive more information.
This post was originally published in Provost's Office News.
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