Three years ago, Columbia’s Benedict College began offering cybersecurity as a major. It started with just four students that first year.
But the program started growing quickly at the historically Black college and now boasts more than 30 students. On Monday, Benedict inked a partnership agreement that will likely spur even more growth in the cybersecurity curriculum at the school.
Through a deal signed during a Monday ceremony at Benedict’s Little Theater, students who complete a cybersecurity degree at Benedict will be guaranteed admission to ECPI University’s online masters of science in cybersecurity program. ECPI President James Weaver said scholarships would be available for each Benedict student who takes part in that masters program.
Benedict President Roslyn Clark Artis said the school often seeks partnerships in the education community.
“When we think about partnerships, we mean mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationships,” said Artis, who became the 14th president of Benedict in 2017. “So, as we begin to develop scholars in cybersecurity, those students have the opportunity to go on to a partner institution, ECPI, and earn a masters degree. It’s critically important to the economy. … Millions of jobs in our country depend on skilled, trained, qualified cybersecurity professionals.”