Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

Governors Cyber Academy

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Beacom building of technology on campus

Why Cyber?

The Governors Cyber Academy at Dakota State University (DSU) expands awareness of and access to cyber education and career pathways to students throughout the state of South Dakota and beyond. There are more than 755,000 high-paying jobs in cyber security alone with the number growing daily.

The Academy is designed to give high school students a jumpstart into high-demand cyber occupations through transferrable, university-level dual-credit cyber coursework and credit-bearing summer enrichment opportunities. Students will earn digital badges as they learn employable technical skills. Students who complete all coursework will simultaneously complete the first year for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Operations, and Cyber Leadership and Intelligence.

Benefits

  • Exposure to and exploration of cyber pathways
  • Intentional, transferrable university-level coursework
  • Mentoring from peers, faculty, and cyber professionals
  • Advising support for course selection and academic success
  • Connections with cyber industry professionals
  • Internship and research opportunities
  • Summer enrichment opportunities
  • Connections with peers through a cohort model
  • There is no additional cost to participate outside of tuition


Courses

Cyber Core

Dedicated online section of each course at least one time per academic year.

CSC 150

Computer Science I

CSC 134

Introduction to Cyber Operations

CSC 163

Hardware, Virtualization, and Data Communication

CSC 247

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

CSC 250

Computer Science II

CSC 285

Networking I

General Education

Dedicated online section of each course at least one time per academic year; additional General Education Courses available based on interest and aptitude.

Math 201

Introduction to Discrete Mathematics

ENGL 101

Composition I

CMST 101

Fundamentals of Speech

Cyber Summer Enrichment

Credit-bearing courses are offered in person each summer on a rotation.

CSC 388

Digital Forensics Fundamentals

CLI 101

Introduction to Cyber Leadership

HIM 150

Introduction to Digital Health Informatics and Information Management (4 credits)

Academy Badges

Computer
Science:

CSC 150

CSC 250

CSC 285

Artificial
Intelligence:

CSC 150

CSC 247

CSC 250

Cyber
Operations:

CSC 150

CSC 134

CSC 250

Digital
Forensics:

CLI 101

CSC 163

CSC 388

Cyber
Leadership:

CLI 101

CSC 134

CSC 150