DURHAM — To coincide with October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, WGU North Carolina is offering up to $100,000 in scholarships to students who want to enhance their skills by earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity. Each Cybersecurity Scholarship is valued at up to $5,000 and designed to help students with significant assistance as they pursue an affordable, accredited degree.
WGU North Carolina is a state affiliate of Western Governors University, a nonprofit online university. Students enrolled in WGU’s bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in cybersecurity will graduate with the skills needed to succeed in the field and valuable industry-recognized certifications included at no extra cost. According to CyberSeek, there are currently 17,660 cybersecurity job openings in North Carolina.
Designed for working adults, WGU offers an asynchronous, competency-based model that allows students to log in and access coursework at a time convenient for them, and to accelerate at their own pace. Tuition is around $4,000 per six-month term for most undergraduate degree programs, and students can take as many courses as they and their assigned mentors are comfortable with during the term.
As cyber threats and security breaches increase, the demand for highly skilled cybersecurity experts will continue to expand. WGU was recently designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. The designation is given to institutions that demonstrate the ability to provide qualified professionals into the workforce.
“According to the U.S. Department of Labor, cybersecurity jobs are projected to grow 31% through 2029,” said Ben Coulter, Ed.D., Chancellor of WGU North Carolina. “That demand, combined with rewarding salaries and prospects for career longevity, all contribute to cybersecurity being one of our largest enrolled academic programs, especially for veterans or those currently serving in the military.”
WGU is accepting applications for the Cybersecurity Scholarship through June 30, 2022. For details and to apply, visit nc.wgu.edu/cybersecurity. To learn more about WGU North Carolina, visit nc.wgu.edu.
