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Majors & Degrees

New Partnership introduces Sioux Falls Students to cyber careers

May 16, 2019

Dakota State University and the Sioux Falls School District today announced details of the new Computer and Cyber Sciences partnership pilot project in Sioux Falls.

Every year in the U.S., 40,000 information security analyst jobs go unfilled, and employers struggle to fill 200,000 related cyber security roles.

“The Sioux Falls School District is excited for this partnership which allows students to take university level computer and cyber sciences courses while in high school. The eventual goal is to enable the student to complete a significant portion or all of their freshman year of college while still attending high school and at a substantial cost savings.  The demand for cyber security and computer science professionals is on the rise and we are pleased to help students find their passion for this important work,” said Dr. Brian Maher, superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District.

Students curious about pursuing a technology career can take university-level courses from Dakota State as dual-credit or concurrent credit. Three courses will be offered initially, with the potential of more being added throughout the three-year pilot. The program will be assessed and evaluated to determine decisions regarding future programs.

“Dakota State University programs are designed to prepare graduates with the 21st century skills they will need in their careers,” said Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, president of Dakota State University. “By collaborating with institutions like the Sioux Falls School District on new programs such as this, we can provide students with the opportunity to glimpse the challenges and rewards of a career in computer and cyber sciences.”

This pilot program is the first pathway launched through the workforce development program SDPaSS, a partnership established in 2017 between Dakota State University, Southeast Tech, Sioux Falls School District, and the South Dakota Department of Labor. Since SDPaSS began, the district and DSU have worked to create the partnership program, which was approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents in April 2019.