Cybersecurity, a relatively new term, may actually be the word of the year because of its global significance.
Its simple definition is “measures taken to protect a computer or computer system (as on the Internet) against unauthorized access or attack.” But simple it is not.
Computer and Internet security have spawned a whole vocabulary, such as hackers, leakers, viruses, cyberweaponry, cyberwarfare, cyberspace, IP PINS (Identity Protection Personal Identification Number) and “mega-hack,” the theft of large swaths of sensitive or personal information from computer systems over the Internet.
Cybersecurity is a high priority for every sector. A safe cyberspace is especially critical to key infrastructure such as power stations, transportation, banking systems, hospitals and cellphone networks, as well as to safeguard government data, education institutions and personal records. The U.S. and China are even negotiating an arms control accord for cyberspace.
When the Fortune 500 CEOs were surveyed earlier this year, cybersecurity was cited as the second most important challenge facing their companies.
Cybersecurity products and services are flooding the market. Career opportunities are plentiful. Colleges are responding by establishing programs to prepare students to enter a rapidly changing and growing cyber-workplace.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Initiative for Cyberscurity Careers and Studies lists the myriad career and training opportunities. So does the National Security Agency.
In the world of public higher education, Cybersecurity is the name of a new bachelor’s degree program offered by the University of Maine at Augusta (and eventually in partnership with other UMaine campuses). Unique among bachelor’s programs at New England public colleges and universities, it is offered under the New England Board of Higher Education’s Regional Student Program (RSP), known as Tuition Break. Residents of the other five states are eligible to enroll while paying the lower, RSP tuition rate.
Secure Software Development is a new associate degree in the field, offered by Middlesex Community College in Massachusetts, and residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont are RSP-eligible, because their states don’t offer the program.
Computer and IT Security programs are offered by seven community colleges in four of the six New England states, and residents of Rhode Island and Vermont are RSP-eligible. Examples of RSP programs are Computer Security, offered by Southern Maine Community College, and Cybersecurity and Healthcare IT, offered by River Valley Community College in New Hampshire. Related programs in Information Technology, Computer Systems Technology, Web Programming, Software Engineering and Web Technologies are offered by public colleges in most but not all of the New England states, with residents of one or more states eligible under the RSP.
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s new bachelor’s program in Data Science prepares students for careers in large-scale data collection and analysis important to healthcare, government and business. Residents of Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont are eligible under the RSP, because their states’ public colleges do not offer the program.The University of New Hampshire at Manchester offers a similar, new program in Analytics. Both UMass Dartmouth and the University of Vermont offer master’s programs in Data Science, and Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island residents are RSP-eligible. Meanwhile, the University of New Hampshire offers a masters’ program in Analytics, and residents of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont are RSP-eligible.
Operations management is a related area with strong career potential. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Service Operations Management prepares students for work in in healthcare, transportation and other industries, and residents of Connecticut, Maine and Vermont are RSP-eligible.
The University of Rhode Island’s Supply Chain Management focuses on the strategic management and design of the production and delivery of goods and services, and is offered under the RSP to residents of the five other New England states (eligibility starts junior year).
Veterinary technologists, another growth area
Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians, who are skilled in animal healthcare, is projected to grow 30% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average (11%) for all occupations.
University of Maine at Augusta’s new bachelor’s degree program in Veterinary Technology is offered under the RSP, and residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont are eligible.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island residents are RSP-eligible for associate degree programs in vet tech at seven community and one technical college in the other five New England states.
Variety of programs with Tuition Break
More than 800 degree programs are offered through the RSP, in a wide array of disciplines, which can be searched online. The undergraduate and graduate catalogs list programs by academic area. The six state brochures provide a quick alphabetical list of bachelor’s programs.
RSP Tuition Break programs approved this year
Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Aviation Management, Bridgewater State University, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, NH, RI, VT
Community Art Education, University of Southern Maine, Eligible Residents: CT, NH, RI
Cybersecurity, University of Maine at Augusta, Eligible Residents: CT, MA, NH, RI, VT
Cytotechnology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, RI, VT
Data Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, RI, VT
Forensic Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, VT
Global Studies, Framingham State University, Eligible Residents: ME, RI
Global Studies, Rhode Island College, Eligible Residents: ME
International and Global Studies, University of Maine at Farmington, Eligible Residents: RI
Management Three-Year Degree, University of Massachusetts Boston, Eligible Residents: VT
Photography, Fitchburg State University, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, NH, VT
Service Operations Management, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, VT
Veterinary Technology, University of Maine at Augusta, Eligible Residents: CT, MA, RI, VT
New Associate Degree Programs
Advanced Manufacturing Process Technology, NHTI, Concord’s Community College (Similar programs offered by Community College of Rhode Island, Northern Essex Community College, Three Rivers Community College) Eligible Residents: VT
Secure Software Development, Middlesex Community College (Similar program offered by Three Rivers Community College), Eligible Residents: ME, NH, RI, VT
Speech Language Pathology Assistant, Nashua Community College, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, MA, RI, VT
New Graduate Programs
Analytics (MS), University of New Hampshire, Eligible Residents: ME, MA, RI, VT
Applied Psychology & Prevention Science (PhD), University of Massachusetts Lowell, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, NH, RI, VT
Chemistry and Biochemistry (PhD), University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Eligible Residents: CT, RI, VT
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS), Rhode Island College, University of Vermont, Eligible Residents: MA, NH
Data Science (MS), University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Vermont, Eligible Residents: ME, NH, RI
Developmental and Brain Sciences (PhD), University of Massachusetts Boston, Eligible Residents: CT, NH, RI, VT
Direct-Entry Master’s in Nursing, University of New Hampshire, University of Massachusetts Worcester, Eligible Residents: CT, RI, VT
Finance (MS), University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Rhode Island, Eligible Residents: CT, NH, VT
Food Systems (PhD), University of Vermont, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI
Global Inclusion and Social Development (MA), University of Massachusetts Boston, Eligible Residents: CT, NH, RI, VT
Global Inclusion and Social Development (PhD), University of Massachusetts Boston, Eligible Residents: CT, ME, NH, RI, VT
Higher Education Administration (EdD), University of Massachusetts Boston, Eligible Residents: NH, RI, VT
Higher Education Administration (PhD), University of Massachusetts Boston, Eligible Residents: CT, NH, RI, VT
Policy, Planning and Management (MS), University of Southern Maine, Eligible Residents: CT, NH, RI, VT
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