Augusta University has recently signed a statewide agreement with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to pave the way for students to earn an associate’s degree in cybersecurity from various technical colleges.
With the new articulation, students are able to receive an associate’s degree from any of the 22 technical schools in Georgia and then transfer to Augusta University’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences (SCCS) to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.
“By providing better pathways for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, Augusta University and our partners aim to provide the training and degrees needed to be competitive for high-demand jobs,” said AU President Brooks Keel.
Following Augusta’s 2019 recognition as one of the top hubs for cybersecurity in the world, the university was recently ranked in the top 5% of all U.S. higher education institutions for social mobility, according to an AU press release.
“We are proud of our growing momentum as we continue to enhance students’ educational pathways in cybersecurity, and we are determined to be an education leader in the fields of computing and cybersecurity,” said Alexander Schwarzmann, dean of SCCS.
Since 2021, over 250 students have transferred to SCCS from other institutions to pursue their bachelor’s degree in the cybersecurity and computer science fields.
“Today marks a watershed moment in our efforts to cultivate a robust cybersecurity workforce in Georgia,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “This collaboration not only streamlines the academic journey for our students, but also empowers them with the specialized knowledge and resources essential to thrive in the cybersecurity field.”
The AU and TCSG agreement will officially begin this upcoming fall semester as the first of its kind in the state of Georgia.
“Thanks to the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC), as well as the proximity of AU to Fort Eisenhower and ties with Department of Defense bases, AU has become a destination university for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, a testing ground for cutting-edge technologies and a nexus of cyber security partnerships and knowledge exchange,” stated a press release from AU.
Thanks to partnerships between AU, the nearby Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, Fort Eisenhower and Department of Defense bases, AU has quickly become a top destination university for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, according to an AU press release.
“The strategic development of the cybersecurity transfer pathway creates new opportunities for students from all Technical College System of Georgia institutions. Students are now able to transition smoothly from a 2-year program to a 4-year program in cybersecurity,” said Schwarzmann.
In addition to being designated as a National Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency, AU was the first university in Georgia to win the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program award, and one of three universities to earn the 2023 CSO50 Award given for exceptional cybersecurity and thought leadership contributions to the field.
“These students will be crucial to our national security, and through pathways like these, Augusta University and the Technical College System of Georgia are demonstrating our commitment to creating a strong and consistent pipeline to fill key cybersecurity roles throughout our city, state and nation,” Keel said.
For more information about AU’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences, visit: https://www.augusta.edu/ccs/
