We are thrilled to announce that the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) approved the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) Applied Cybersecurity Bachelor of Science during their Special Called Commission Meeting on July 22, 2025. This undergraduate degree will meet the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals in a wide variety of private and public sectors and give learners real-world experience through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.
“The approval of the Applied Cybersecurity major marks another exciting step forward for CECS and for the future of workforce-ready education in Tennessee,” said Vice Provost and Founding Dean Ozlem Kilic. “This program is designed to equip students with the critical skills and hands-on experience needed to protect digital systems in every industry, from healthcare and finance to national security. CECS is proud to offer a degree that not only meets a growing demand but also empowers students to lead in a rapidly evolving field.”
This milestone is the result of a truly collaborative, campus-wide effort. 11 faculty from seven colleges and units contributed their expertise as part of the Applied Cybersecurity curriculum committee to help shape a program that is both academically rigorous and aligned with workforce needs. Additionally, the Cybersecurity Program Advisory Committee, comprised of 12 industry partners representing fields such as manufacturing, law enforcement, research, and information technology, worked with CECS to ensure the program’s relevance and responsiveness to current cybersecurity challenges. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the numerous individuals who provided their time and expertise to the development of the Applied Cybersecurity degree.
The Applied Cybersecurity degree is now available for student enrollment for the Fall 2025 semester. The Applied Cybersecurity Minor and Applied Cybersecurity certificate are also available. For more information on CECS or to learn more about this degree program, email [email protected].