St. Philip’s College plans to offer bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity

St. Philip’s College will begin pursuing the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity degree, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. 

On July 26, 2022, the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the opportunity for St. Philip’s College to pursue an Associate of Applied Science to BAT Cybersecurity program curriculum designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles within the fast-growing cybersecurity sector.

The Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree in Cybersecurity will be the district’s second bachelor's degree if approved. San Antonio College graduated its inaugural cohort of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students in May 2022.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide our community with this opportunity to offer access to a high-quality and affordable option for students wanting to enter the fast-growing sector of cybersecurity,” said Dr. Adena Williams Loston, St. Philip’s College President. “St. Philip’s College is proud to enhance our already stellar cybersecurity offerings. San Antonio is leading the nation in Cybersecurity with its strong military presence, thriving private cybersecurity enterprises and nationally-recognized technology and research institutions.”

The program of study for the AAS degree plan is comprised of 60 semester credit hours and the AAS to BAT Cybersecurity degree plan is an additional 60 semester credit hours.

Both degree plans combined total of 120 semester credit hours will qualify students to receive a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity.

Classroom instruction will include simulation laboratory applications of cybersecurity engineering concepts, principles, and practices that are included in the program of study. 

San Antonio is recognized by the National Security Agency as one of the nation’s leading cities for cybersecurity activity – second only to our nation’s capital. This has an enormous benefit to St. Philip’s College graduates who have limitless career opportunities here at home.

It also benefits approximately 1,000 area IT and cyber defense companies who rely on a strong local workforce to fill high-demand, high-skill jobs.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that cybersecurity jobs will grow 31% from 2019 to 2029. An entry salary for an individual entering the cybersecurity field is projected at $64,480 per year ($31.00/hour), according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Closing the Gap

The BAT in Cybersecurity program builds on the ongoing work that St. Philip’s College is engaged in to help close the talent gap in the area of cybersecurity.

St. Philip’s College is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), a prestigious program jointly sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. CAE-CD is one of the most difficult designations to receive, as the College is assessed on its research, program offerings, multidisciplinary approach, performance in cyber competitions, and many other factors. This recognition extends to the Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist program and was initially awarded in 2012 and currently extends through the 2025-2026 academic year. 

St. Philip’s College is recognized as a leader in producing high-quality cybersecurity professionals to safeguard the U.S. national infrastructure. It is currently the only teaching site with an onsite cyber range that can be configured to mimic scenarios common to several industries – defense, banking, human resources, hospitals.  

Additional cybersecurity offerings across the Alamo Colleges 

The Alamo Colleges District currently has flexible programs that offer 11 degrees and certifications in cybersecurity. St. Philip’s College, San Antonio College, Northeast Lakeview College, and Palo Alto College all offer cybersecurity programs.