Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

Governors Cyber Academy

xxx
Beacom building of technology on campus

Explore cyber education and careers through

Dakota Sate's Governors Cyber Academy

The Governors Cyber Academy at Dakota State University (DSU) expands awareness of and access to cyber education and career pathways to students throughout the state of South Dakota and beyond. There are more than 755,000 high-paying jobs in cyber security alone with the number growing daily. Governors Cyber Academy

The Academy is designed to give high school students a jumpstart into high-demand cyber occupations through transferrable, university-level dual-credit cyber coursework and credit-bearing summer enrichment opportunities. 

Complete the first year of your bachelor's degree 

Students who complete all coursework will simultaneously complete the first year for a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Operations, and Network and Security Administration. Students will also earn digital badges as they learn employable technical skills through the coursework. 


 

Dual Credit Courses

Eligibility 

Participating in the Cyber Academy is an incredible opportunity for students to learn about cyber concepts and explore cyber career pathways. All students that qualify for dual credit courses through the Board of Regents are eligible to participate in the dual credit Cyber Academy courses and there is no additional cost to participate beyond tuition and course materials.

Students can join the Cyber Academy any term and take the courses that fit with their interests and schedules. Email cyberacademy@dsu.edu to get started. 

Cyber core

Choose any number of online courses from the following list to explore specific cyber interests, or take more to complete the first year of a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Operations, or Network and Security Administration – while still high school.

CSC 150

Computer Science I

CSC 134

Introduction to Cyber Operations

CSC 163

Hardware, Virtualization, and Data Communication

CSC 247

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

CSC 250

Computer Science II

CSC 285

Networking I

CSC 388

Computer Forensics Fundamentals

CLI 101

ntroduction to Cyber Leadership

HIM 150

Introduction to Digital Health Informatics and Information Management

General education

DSU offers many online general education courses as dual credit options for high school students. We recommend taking the following courses, but additional General Education Courses are available based on interest.

Math 201

Introduction to Discrete Mathematics

BIO 235

Introduction to Biotechnology

Explore more Dual credit options

Academy badges

Students earn valuable digital badges tied to employable techinical skills through the cyber coursework. Students can plan to achieve specific badges by choosing the grouped courses below, or reach to earn them all!

Computer
Science:

CSC 150

CSC 250

CSC 285

Artificial
Intelligence:

CSC 150

CSC 247

CSC 250

Cyber
Operations:

CSC 150

CSC 134

CSC 250

Digital
Forensics:

CLI 101

CSC 163

CSC 388

Cyber
Leadership:

CLI 101

CSC 134

CSC 150

Network
Security:

CSC 134

CSC 163

CSC 285

Sign up

Contact Bailee, Dual Credit Enrollment Counselor, to learn more and register for Cyber Academy courses: cyberacademy@dsu.edu.


 

The Beacom Institute of Computer Science building

Cyber enrichment opportunities

DSU's Governors Cyber Academy offers cyber enrichment opportunities on DSU's campus or in your own high school. Students will have interactive opportunities to learn about cyber-related concepts including programming, cybersecurity, networking, and artificial intelligence as well as how cyber is integrated into every industry, from banking and agriculture to healthcare. 

Cyber Roadshow

The Cyber Roadshow is a one-day, interactive event for high school students that gives students a chance to experience various cyber concepts including programming, cybersecurity, networking, and artificial intelligence. We bring cyber expertise directly to your schools and communities, making it accessible to all students. 

Cyber Takeover - Lesson with a Prof

Our Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences faculty will take over your high school technology class for a lesson or a day and engage students through an interactive activity. We will work with you to determine the content and logistics.

GenCyber Residential Camp | Cyber Espionage Camp | K12 Educators Cyber Camp

DSU and the Cyber Academy host multiple camps on the DSU campus, including Cyber Espionage Camp, the continuously popular resident GenCyber camps for middle and high schoolers, and the K12 Educators Cyber Camp with an added Educator Camp extension to learn about RING, and the RING curriculum! These immersive experiences get you fully engaged in the cyber world, and we can't wait for you to join us!

Learn more about camps at DSU!

Additional benefits

  • Exposure to and exploration of cyber pathways
  • Intentional, transferrable university-level coursework
  • Mentoring from peers, faculty, and cyber professionals
  • Advising support for course selection and academic success
  • Connections with cyber industry professionals
  • Internship and research opportunities
  • Summer enrichment opportunities
  • Connections with peers through a cohort model
  • There is no additional cost to participate outside of tuition


Questions?

Reach out to our team or email cyberacademy@dsu.edu with questions.

Governors Cyber Academy