Austin Community College to launch bachelor's degree program in cybersecurity in fall

Austin Community College plans to launch a Bachelor of Applied Science in cybersecurity — its fourth bachelor's degree program — in fall 2023.

The college will begin the program to help fill growing workforce gaps in the industry and prepare cybersecurity professionals for more advanced career roles, according to a news release.

The program, expected to have a cohort of up to 60 students, is ACC’s second bachelor’s degree program in the information technology field. The college also offers bachelor’s degrees in software development, nursing and manufacturing engineering technology.

“With the growth of the virtual world, the demand for skilled workers in cybersecurity is more critical than ever before,” ACC Chancellor Richard Rhodes said. “It is vital we provide the right training to develop the skills for these high-paying careers. This new bachelor’s degree gives us the opportunity to provide a more accessible pathway at a fraction of the cost.”

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According to the college, the program is designed for professionals with a related associate degree, including people who are working in the cybersecurity field. It will offer face-to-face, hybrid and distance education classes.

ACC Provost Monique Umphrey said the program supports people from diverse backgrounds and will integrate students into Austin’s technology community.

“ACC is committed to working with local industry partners to ensure we prepare more individuals to respond to this vast need. We understand that we need top talent from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to address growing cybersecurity challenges," Umphrey said. "Austin can be known as a hub for inclusive IT.”

The college wrote that an industry advisory committee provided input on the development of the curriculum to ensure students in the program get the skills necessary for the workforce. Students also can obtain additional cybersecurity certifications for specialized positions, according to the release.

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Last week, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, announced that ACC would receive more than $1.4 million in federal money to establish a cybersecurity training center at its Rio Grande Campus, which will expand the college’s cybersecurity education offerings. The money will go toward purchasing computers, biometric recognition equipment and additional equipment.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas higher education: ACC to launch cybersecurity bachelor's degree