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Tracy Mercer, Information Research Analyst

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Fax: (605) 773-5320

www.sdbor.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Dakota State Advances Plans for Ph.D. Program in Cyber Defense

SPEARFISH, S.D. – With action Wednesday to approve it, a new doctoral program in cyber defense at Dakota State University will address growing cyber threats and workforce needs, while providing DSU graduates with a foundation in security issues, practices, politics, risk analysis, and cultures of terrorism, as well as research methodology and practice.

The South Dakota Board of Regents granted authority for DSU to offer the Ph.D. degree in cyber defense beginning this fall.  It will be offered online and will be the third doctoral degree program available through Dakota State, joining other Ph.D. programs in cyber operations and information systems.

Graduates from the new program will be prepared for careers in private industry, government, the military, and academia. DSU officials said cybersecurity positions are difficult to fill across the country, with an unmet needs gap of 1.8 million jobs expected by 2022.

Seven new courses will be created to implement the doctoral program at DSU, which is expected to graduate eight students each year after full implementation.