‘Extended Campus’ is preparing students to meet the high demand for cybersecurity with a master’s program
In response to increasing demand for information security professionals, the University of Wisconsin Extended Campus has launched an online Master of Science in Cybersecurity. The degree program, which received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, is now accepting its first cohort of applicants for the fall semester, which begins in September, 2020.
The new Cybersecurity graduate degree is a collaboration among eight University of Wisconsin campuses: UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Superior. The program joins 17 other accredited online degrees, which range from the associate to the master’s level offered through UW Extended Campus.
“Adding the Cybersecurity master’s degree program expands our ability to meet the broad range of educational needs in Wisconsin and beyond,” said Aaron Brower, executive director of University of Wisconsin Extended Campus. “This new program takes great advantage of the UW’s ability to offer high-quality education as a whole state system. It’s a fantastic addition to the UW’s growing array of online programs.”
The 12-course, online master’s program, which is designed for working adults, features four unique tracks of study allowing students to tailor their education based on their career goals and interests. The four tracks are digital forensics, cyber response, governance and leadership, and security architecture. The new online graduate program aims to prepare students to meet the high demand for cybersecurity talent world-wide.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity-related jobs in the U.S. will see a 13 percent increase over the next decade.
“There is an incredible need for cybersecurity professionals, especially now, as organizations have had to adapt to virtualizing business in a way that we’ve never seen before,” said Kroeninger. “The program was designed and developed with the help of industry professionals to ensure the curriculum meets market needs and provides students with the skills that employers are looking for.”
Graduates of the program will be prepared for positions such as cybersecurity engineer, information security analyst, network architect, and cybersecurity manager among others. Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite courses in Computer Science and Calculus or Statistics. Aptitude tests such as the GMAT and GRE are not required.
