National Center of Academic Excellence Designation

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by the National Cryptologic School at the National Security Agency (NSA). Federal partners include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoD-CIO), and U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM).

Texas A&M University-San Antonio currently holds the CAE in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation.  

CAE-CD designation indicates that an institution contributes to reducing threats to national infrastructure by advancing education and research in cyber defense, while also developing and providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Institutions that earn the CAE-C designation have met the rigorous standards established by the program’s sponsor, the National Security Agency (NSA). Through this designation, the NSA recognizes institutions committed to preparing cybersecurity professionals who help mitigate vulnerabilities in the nation’s critical infrastructure.

CAE-CD Program of Study and Certificate

Students will have completed all requirements for and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) in Information Technology/Information Assurance and Security Concentration. Upon graduation, students who complete all requirements for the CAE-CD Program of Study will receive an NSA-CD Certificate of Completion.

Students who complete the required courses as electives of other degree programs are also eligible for the NSA-CD Certificate.