AU signs cybersecurity degree transfer pathway with state’s technical colleges

Augusta University has signed a statewide articulation agreement with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), paving the way for students to earn an associate degree in cybersecurity from any of the 22 technical schools in Georgia and then transfer to AU’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences (SCCS) to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.

The agreement, which will officially begin this fall, is the first of its kind in the state of Georgia.

“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 President Brooks A. Keel, PhD. “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.”

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. Augusta University was recently ranked in the top 5% of all U.S. higher education institutions for social mobility.

“Being able to easily transfer my class credits from Augusta Tech to AU completely changed my life,” said Thomas Brigham, a fourth-year undergraduate student at AU studying cybersecurity and a National Science Foundation CyberCorps Scholarship for Service scholar. “Transferring gave me access to numerous new opportunities, like internships, connections, trainings and conferences, that I otherwise don’t think I would have had.”

Augusta was recognized as one of the top 10 hubs for cybersecurity in the world in 2019. Thanks to the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC), as well as the proximity of Augusta University 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 partnerships and knowledge exchange.

AU is designated by the National Security Agency as a National Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, was the first university in Georgia to win the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program award and was one of just three universities to earn the 2023 CSO50 Award given for exceptional cybersecurity and thought leadership contributions to the field. GCITC was also called out in the 2023 National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy as an example of a national education and workforce development ecosystem in action.

“In an increasingly digital world, the need for cybersecurity experts only continues to grow,” said Gov. Brian P. Kemp. “Thanks to the great work of our teams at TCSG and Augusta University, even more opportunities are coming to Georgia students who will receive the training necessary to fill these open roles that are critical to the security of not just our state, but the entire country.”

In early April, SCCS hosted all 22 institutions from TCSG for the Cyber Workforce and Education Pathway Workshop at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center. The attendees included leadership from AU and TCSG, representatives from the National Security Agency, the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity and ATC, and several regional employers.

“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 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 Alexander Schwarzmann, PhD, dean of SCCS. “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.”