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Home ― News ― Dakota State OK’d to offer new Cyber Leadership degree, new specializations

"OK" for new cyber leadership degree means new specializations

May 9, 2018

The South Dakota Board of Regents approved on May 10 a new degree program at Dakota State University. The bachelor’s degree in cyber leadership and intelligence, once fully implemented, could attract more than 100 students to DSU. The program will be available starting Fall 2018 on campus and online.

It is the first program of its kind at the state’s public universities, although Dakota State does grant related degrees in cyber operations and in network and security administration.

DSU officials said this unique interdisciplinary program equips students with the knowledge of cyber systems and world cultures, international politics, human behavior, and leadership. New graduates will be prepared to work with government leaders and corporate executives to develop strategies to defend those organizations from cyber disruption. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates more than 28,000 professionals will be needed in cyber-related fields by 2026.

In other action, the regents approved two new specializations available to students within existing degree programs at Dakota State.

One is a specialization in artificial intelligence and machine learning, which will be an option for study within the B.S. degree in computer science. Graduates with this specialization will learn certain skills related to automation of tasks and analyzing data, which will provide them new opportunities for employment in multiple workforce sectors.

Also approved was a specialization in information assurance within the DSU master of science degree in information systems. This focused study will prepare graduate students to manage risks related to the use, processing, storage, and transmission of information or data. Graduates with this specialization will be prepared for employment in high-demand occupations such as IT business analyst, information architect, information assurance manager, IT manager, chief security officer, and chief technology officer.