NJCU, HCCC to launch dual cybersecurity degree

New Jersey City University and Hudson County Community College are launching a dual admissions program in cybersecurity in the fall, the institutions announced March 24.

Come September, HCCC students will be able to complete an associate’s degree in computer science-cybersecurity, and move seamlessly onto attaining a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at NJCU.

NJCU President Sue Henderson and NJCU Senior Vice President and Provost Tamara Jhashi joined HCCC President Chris Reber and HCCC Vice President for Academic Affairs Darryl Jones for a signing ceremony on March 17.

“A degree in cybersecurity will provide students with solid career skills and earning potential in a number of industries,” Henderson said. “We are pleased to work with HCCC to transition students to our bachelor’s degree program, which is among just a few in the country with designations in both cybersecurity and intelligence. Students will learn from some of the top security experts in the discipline and leave with cutting-edge knowledge as well as practical experience.”

Cybersecurity is one of the nation’s fastest growing industries, with job growth projected at 31%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cybersecurity work is almost ubiquitously useful across sectors, including education, energy, finance, health care, insurance, law enforcement, manufacturing, retail and more.

Cybersecurity professionals develop and maintain secure digital infrastructures, prevent data breaches, analyze and identify potential risks, and implement digital disaster recovery plans.

Upon successful completion of the school’s cybersecurity program, HCCC graduates will enter NJCU as fully matriculated students with junior-year standing.

This is the ninth degree program for which NJCU and HCCC have established an articulation agreement. Such accords are also established in accounting, biology, criminal justice, elementary education, health sciences, management, nursing and physics.

HCCC is one of seven community colleges in New Jersey to to offer an articulation agreement with NJCU, joining Brookdale Community College, Camden County College, Essex County College, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex County College, and Passaic County Community College.