NSA & Homeland Security Re-Designate Capella University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Capella University as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense through the academic year 2021, which at seven years, is the longest possible designation. Capella University (http://www.capella.edu) is a regionally accredited online university* that offers online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers.

The purpose of the National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation program is to promote higher education in Information Assurance (IA) and Cyber Defense (CD), address the critical shortage of professionals with these skills, and highlight the importance of higher education as a solution to defending America’s cyberspace. Capella first received designation as a CAE in 2007. The new CAE Information Assurance/Cyber Defense designation is based on updated academic criteria for cybersecurity education and allows each CAE institution the opportunity to distinguish its strengths in specific IA/CD focus areas.

Capella is one of only 50 educational institutions in the country designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Education and one of only two approved universities that align to five focus areas. The designation is awarded only to educational institutions that meet the newest standards for cyber security. In addition, Capella was also recognized for the information security measures used to protect sensitive information and for the cyber security education required for all employees.

“We’re proud to have been in the forefront in developing higher education programs that address the critical shortage of informational security professionals,” said Sue Talley, EdD, Capella’s dean of technology. “Our designation under the CAE’s new criteria provides further validation to our students and their employers that Capella’s information assurance and security programs provide the content and outcomes needed for success in this field.”

Capella’s degree programs in this field include a Master of Science in Information Assurance and Security with specializations in Digital Forensics and Network Defense. The Digital Forensics specialization aligns with the IA/CD focus areas Digital Forensics and Security Incident Analysis and Response, while the Network Defense specialization aligns with the IA/CD focus areas Network Security Administration, Network Security Engineering, and System Security Engineering. Other Capella programs that specialize in the information assurance and security field include a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Information Assurance and Security specialization; a PhD in Information Technology, Information Assurance and Security specialization, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Information Assurance and Security.

About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is a regionally accredited online university* that offers online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers. As of Sept. 30, 2014, over 70 percent of Capella students were currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 143 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 28 certificate programs, including six new direct assessment degree delivery programs. Approximately 35,000 students were enrolled as of Sept. 30, 2014, from all 50 states and 61 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.eduor call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).

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* Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission