Cyber security professionals are in high demand and, starting this September, people can earn a cyber security bachelor of applied science (BAS) at Spokane Falls Community College. This BAS degree is aimed at students who already have completed an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in information technology, which also is offered at SFCC.
High-profile cyber-attacks in government and commerce have raised the demand for people educated and trained in cyber security. The need for information security analysts is projected to grow by 26 percent over the next decade in the Spokane metropolitan region alone, according to EMSI.
The majority of employers are seeking at least a four-year degree for these positions. A recent analysis of job postings that included a preferred level of education showed 86 percent of the positions required a bachelor’s degree while only 2 percent required an AAS degree.
“This will be our third BAS degree and second in the growing field of information technology,” said SFCC President Janet Gullickson. “We have heard from employers that this is an emerging need and have responded with a focused degree that will allow our students to be competitive and successful.”
The new cyber security program will give students a broad base of theoretical and technical knowledge, as well as specialized knowledge in areas such as encryption, risk management, compliance, regulation, ethical hacking and security policy. The program is designed for working professionals and will be offered in a hybrid evening format.
Washington’s State Board of Community and Technical Colleges has approved this new degree. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the regional accrediting agency, approval is pending.
Applied bachelor’s degrees fill skill gaps in practical, market-driven fields in which job requirements have advanced beyond the associate degree level. SFCC joins 25 other community and technical colleges in Washington State in offering applied bachelor degrees. The other BAS degrees offered at SFCC are applied management and information systems and technology. This spring Spokane Community College (SCC) gained approval to launch its first BAS degree, which will be for respiratory therapy.
The program is taking applicants now. Visit [[SFCC BAS LINK]], email bas@sfcc.spokane.edu or call 509-533-3522 for more information.