Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
	SANS Technology Institute Proposal	Lower Division Certificate (L.D.C.)	Cybersecurity Fundamentals	12/15/2022	Recommended	1/19/2023
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Program Description
The SANS Technology Institute (STI) proposes to launch a Lower Division Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Fundamentals (CSF). CSF is designed to enable lower division students to be more properly and strongly prepared to confidently start and succeed at upper division cybersecurity studies, especially at the SANS Technology Institute but ostensibly at any academic institution in Maryland. This <br>certificate will prepare students to more confidently enter into upper division cybersecurity studies by providing specifically designed classes to bridge the gap from basic computer science and information technology coursework into the more specialized study of cybersecurity topics. Under the CSF program, students will complete 12 credit hours of courses in which they will earn one professional cybersecurity certification <br>relied upon by U.S. law enforcement, intelligence services, military organizations, large corporations, and contractors to validate the potential and competencies of their new-to- <br>cyber workforce. CSF students will also develop and demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental technologies and skills of mathematics and Python coding that serve as the <br>baseline for all professionals in cybersecurity. The CSF program was designed in partnership with some of our most senior and experienced faculty to provide this solid set of foundational skills for those who recognize that they need it, as well as to serve as a remedial pathway for those who apply to upper division undergraduate programs at STI but who might not have <br>performed well enough on our proprietary aptitude assessments.