The University of Arizona’s College of Applied Science & Technology (CAST) launched its Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations (BAS-CO) degree as a solely transfer student admitting program in the Fall of 2016.
- To date, CAST has only offered degree programs at locations outside of Tucson Main Campus, primarily in Arizona Online. Additionally, CAST has predominantly only admitted transfer students.
- CAST’s Cyber Operations major has grown from 13 students in Fall 2016 to over 1200 students in Fall 2023, with 475 students currently enrolled in undergraduate certificates.
- CAST is launching its first graduate degree program, the Master of Science in Cyber & Information Operations, in Fall 2023.
- CAST’s convergent degrees in Intelligence and Information Operations and Applied Computing have also shown strong growth, bringing the total enrollment in CAST applied STEM disciplines to 2007 students.
CAST’s Cyber Operations Program (BAS-CO) is nationally recognized and a critical component of UArizona and ABOR goals for quality, career preparation degrees.
- In 2019, the CAST BAS-CO program was one of only 21 programs in the nation designated as a National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO).
- In 2021, the BAS-CO program was recognized as the “#1 Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the Nation” by Academic Influence.
- The amazing growth of the program, accompanied by its recognition as a top tier academic cybersecurity degree, was achieved entirely through the online modality.
- CAST faculty are ready to bring our world class online programs to Tucson Main Campus.
As the need for talented cyber professionals becomes more urgent, offering CAST’s Cyber Operations and other technology-based programs on the UArizona Main Campus will increase CAST’s ability to offer future focused, career ready degrees to more students.
- In August 2023, CAST’s Cyber Operations, Applied Computing, and Intelligence & Information Operations programs were added to the UArizona Main Campus application for Tucson Main Campus enrollment beginning Fall 2024.
- Freshmen and transfer students on Main Campus in Tucson, AZ, effective Fall 2024, will have the option of earning Cyber Operations, Applied Computing, and Intelligence and Information Operations BAS degrees, minors, and certificates.
- Tucson Main Campus students pursuing majors from other colleges will have the opportunity to earn a minor or a career enhancing undergraduate certificate in conjunction with their major and can pursue a Master of Science in Cyber & Information Operations after earning their bachelor’s degree.
- Effective Fall 2024, CAST will continue to support aggressive growth in Arizona Online by admitting freshmen students, in addition to transfer students, to all CAST programs offered in Arizona Online.
In both Arizona Online and UArizona Main Campus classrooms, CAST will capitalize on its state-of-the-art Cyber Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which allows students to obtain hands-on experience in a real-world virtual city, CyberApolis.
- CAST’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is unique from cybersecurity programs at other colleges and universities, as it replicates real world complexities with 15,000 Artifical Intelligence (AI) personas, modern hardware devices, business websites, government utilities, social networks, and more.
- CyberApolis is a dynamic virtual environment, constantly transforming to accommodate academic goals that replicate the realities of our world.
- Bringing the VLE to the Tucson Main Campus will increase its outreach and accessibility to other colleges and programs, open doors for donor opportunities, and facilitate growth in interdisciplinary research on Main Campus.
CAST’s Cyber Operations and technology programs are among the most sought after and fastest growing programs at UArizona and the nation. They will now be available to all Wildcats.
- It is appropriate and strategically compelling to ensure that CAST’s Cyber Operations and convergent technology focused programs are available to all UArizona students.
- More importantly, this program extension will significantly strengthen the University’s Wildcat Journey Strategic Pillar to prepare “students with the skills and mindsets to lead in the 4th Industrial Revolution.”
Growing the cybersecurity workforce with competent, knowledgeable, and skilled Wildcats across all UArizona campuses is a critical capability for the University, the state of Arizona, and the nation.