UW-PARKSIDE TO OFFER NEW MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CYBERSECURITY
Online collaborative program with seven other UW campuses
MADISON, Wis.u2014The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has granted its approval to offer a 12-course, 34-credit online masteru2019s degree in cybersecurity. The program is a collaboration of University of Wisconsin Extended Campus and eight UW System campuses: UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UWu2011Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior.
The new online masteru2019s degree features four unique tracks of study, allowing students to focus their education in one or more cybersecurity areas: Digital Forensics, Cyber Response, Governance & Leadership, and Security Architecture.
Courses are planned to begin in September pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
u201cThere is an incredible talent gap in cybersecurity both in Wisconsin and around the globe,u201d said Aaron Brower, executive director of UW Extended Campus. u201cWe believe this program meets market needs while offering students the skills and education employers want.u201d
The online cybersecurity masteru2019s degree draws upon the talent and resources of the eight participating UW System campuses and features a multidisciplinary curriculum taught by UW faculty, each contributing diverse expertise from fields including computer science, engineering, communications, economics, and mathematics.
u201cWe are pleased to work with our sister institutions to successfully serve students in this fast-growing field,u201d said Joanne Wilson, provost of UW-Platteville, the lead campus for the online cybersecurity program. u201cTogether, weu2019ve developed a masteru2019s degree program that aims to prepare students to fill in-demand cybersecurity positions across all industries, in both private and government sectors.u201d
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 bacheloru2019s degree with prerequisite courses in Computer Science and Calculus or Statistics. Aptitude tests such as the GMAT and GRE are not required.
u201cThe Master of Science in Cybersecurity program underwent a comprehensive curriculum development process,u201d said George Kroeninger, chief academic officer at UW Extended Campus. u201cOver the last 18 months, with input from industry professionals and our UW campus partners, we have established a rigorous masteru2019s curriculum that will set graduates up for success in the cybersecurity field.u201d
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is intended for students with a bacheloru2019s degree in areas including (but not limited to) computer science, information technology, information systems, or computer engineering, and who have professional experience in the information technology field, but are looking to gain specific cybersecurity skills to qualify for in-demand positions.
The program joins a growing list of flexible, online degree and certificate programs powered by University of Wisconsin Extended Campus in collaboration with UW System campus partners.
Prospective students seeking more information about the planned University of Wisconsin Cybersecurity graduate program are encouraged to visit ce.uwex.edu/cybersecurity/, call 1-877-895-3276, or email learn@uwex.edu.
