UCCS’ Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE-C) Cybersecurity Faculty Development program recently launched its first two fully online cybersecurity courses: Core Concepts in Networking and Pedagogy and Technology in Cybersecurity Teaching. The courses are free and available to any professionals interested in learning or teaching cybersecurity.

The CAE-C Cybersecurity Faculty Development program is the result of a $3.35 million grant from the U.S. National Security Agency to expand education, training and development for faculty in cybersecurity. The UCCS College of Business program serves as a strategic partner for a consortium of educational institutions to deliver a comprehensive, programmatic approach to cybersecurity faculty development.

“We are thrilled to introduce our first courses in cybersecurity education and training at UCCS,” said Gurvirender Tejay, Associate Professor of Information Systems and Lead Principal Investigator, College of Business. “This program is addressing an ongoing need for qualified instructors in cybersecurity, and we look forward to helping aspiring educators gain the skills they need to teach courses in this discipline.”

The program will provide cybersecurity education to more than 1,500 participants during the duration of the grant. Courses for existing faculty, industry professionals and transitioning military/civil service personnel will be offered free-of-charge, while graduate-level courses will be partially funded through grant money for participants. The grant will offer certificates in narrow cybersecurity topics, masters and doctoral courses in cybersecurity and cybersecurity management, boot camps in cybersecurity technology and courses in pedagogy to fill specific knowledge gaps.

The first course, Core Concepts in Networking, starts on Oct. 20, 2021. The second course, Pedagogy and Technology in Cybersecurity Teaching, starts on Oct. 25, 2021. Both courses run for eight weeks.

“These courses are two of many upcoming opportunities in cybersecurity and pedagogy to advance faculty development in the field,” said Gary Klein, Couger Professor of Information Systems and Co-Principal Investigator, College of Business. “We look forward to supporting educators, graduate students, transitioning military and industry professionals in filling specific knowledge gaps in cybersecurity education.”

The coalition includes a partnership with 11 prominent academic institutions, from community colleges to elite research universities that specialize in cybersecurity instruction. More information about the CAE-C Cybersecurity Faculty Development Program and the list of partner institutions is available online.

To register for one of the first two courses, offered free-of-charge, visit UCCS Extended Studies.

About the UCCS College of Business:

The UCCS College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,300 undergraduates and 350 MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Executive Doctor of Business Administration degrees. More than 10,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. For more information, visit uccs.edu/business.