Cybersecurity Pathways Coalition
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National coalition for cybersecurity education
Building on more than a decade of expertise in cybersecurity training, UofL is leading a coalition of schools to develop a national cybersecurity curriculum. Each school in the coalition is a National Security Agency (NSA) designated National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in Cyber Defense. They each contribute expertise, experience, and skills aligned with cybersecurity systems. Our Cybersecurity Pathways Coalition includes:
- University of Arkansas Little Rock
- University of North Florida
- Kentucky Community Technical Colleges Systems (16 community colleges)
- City University of Seattle, Kennesaw State University
- Kentucky State University
- Hood College
- City University of New York
- Northwest Missouri State
- University of Kentucky
- Morehead University
- Murray State University
- University of Puerto Rico
- Purdue University- Fort Wayne
Cybersecurity Workforce Program: structure and expansion
Launched in Fall 2021, the Cybersecurity Workforce Program originally focused on training first responders (law enforcement, healthcare workers, IT specialists, firefighters), transitioning military personnel, and veterans. It has since expanded and is now open to all participants.
This six-month certificate program includes:
- Tech industry-recognized badges from Google, IBM, Microsoft, and more
- Hands-on labs and datasets designed in the context of healthcare cybersecurity
- Progressive, industry-informed training experiences
- Opportunities to convert certificates into college credit at partner institutions
- Pathways to associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degree programs
In 2023, the program introduced shorter 90-day Specialized Bundles to accommodate varying learning needs.
Note: The Cybersecurity Workforce Certificate will be available as open-source (excluding videos and PowerPoint) for one year, in compliance with RFP requirements, and will be shareable nationally via the NCAE-C (NSA) network.
Pathways to success
In addition to contributing to the national curriculum, each coalition member offers its own cybersecurity-related academic programs. These include degrees, certificates, and training opportunities that support the shared mission of growing and diversifying the cybersecurity workforce. Below is a non-exhaustive list of academic programs offered by some of our coalition partners. To learn more, please visit the individual program pages linked below.
- BA in Computer Science
- BS in Business Administration in Computer Information Systems (Information Security Track)
- BS in Criminal Justice
- BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning, Healthcare Leadership
- MS in Computer Science
- MEng in Computer Science and Engineering
- Cybersecurity Graduate certificate
- Data Science Graduate certificate
- PhD in Computer Science and Engineering
- PhD in Criminal Justice
- Computer Programming – Associate’s Degree
- Computer Science – BS
- Cybersecurity – BS
- Information Assurance – Technical Certificate
- Information Science – BS
- Computer Science – MS
- Data Science – Graduate Certificate
- Information Quality – MS
- Information Science – MS
- Computer & Information Science – Phd
Kentucky Community Technical College System
- Computer & Information Technology – Associate’s Degrees and Certificates
Owensboro Community Technical College
- Cyber Security
- Information Security – Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Criminal Justice – Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Medical Information Technology – Associate of Applied Science Degree
Bluegrass Community Technical College
- Computer and Information Technologies -> Data Center Technologies Track –
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Criminal Justice – Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Health Science Technology – Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Medical Information Technology – Associate of Applied Science Degree
