A cyber degree pathway between Frederick Community College, Mount St. Mary’s University, and Hood College recently won the 2019 National CyberWatch Center “Innovations in Cyber Security Education” award in the program development category.

The cybersecurity associate degree at FCC offers courses that transfer to the Mount toward a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. In turn, the cybersecurity curriculum at the Mount offers courses that transfer toward a master’s degree in cybersecurity at Hood College. The provosts and cybersecurity faculty leads at each institution developed the agreement to give students a contemporary, rigorous, and relevant education in the cybersecurity field that fully aligns with NSA accreditation standards.

“FCC is proud to work closely with Hood College and Mount St. Mary’s University to ensure students in our community have as many educational opportunities as possible available to them,” said FCC President Elizabeth Burmaster. “Our unified cybersecurity degree pathway prepares students for this in-demand and critical career field, while saving them time and money. We are grateful to the National CyberWatch Center for recognizing the importance and innovation of this partnership.”

The “Innovations in Cyber Security Education” awards program showcases a range of creative and pioneering ideas across four categories: evidence-based strategies, instruction, practice, and program development.
“It is rewarding to see this important partnership receive recognition for our role in providing local, regional, and even national companies with well-trained cybersecurity professionals,” said Mount St. Mary’s University President Timothy E. Trainor, Ph.D. “I hope that this model pipeline approach will be emulated across the country.”

The partnership between the three institutions saves students tuition money and time, offers seamless sharing of computer lab facilities and software, and provides unique cross-mentorship and collaboration opportunities with faculty to enhance the student learning experience.

“This award is a reflection of Hood’s commitment to strategic regional partnerships developed in support of a critical need in the state of Maryland,” said Hood Provost Debbie Ricker, who accepted the award at a summit in Louisiana. “The cyber pipeline we have built, connecting students to all three institutions, is a one-of-a-kind model.”

For more information about cybersecurity at FCC, click here.