TYSONS CORNER, VA – Military and civilian government employees and contractors who have completed Defense Acquisition University (DAU) coursework may now be able to receive graduate credit towards a master’s or doctoral degree in cybersecurity from the University of Fairfax (UoF). Under an agreement signed by the two institutions last week, the UoF has conducted a prior learning assessment for a variety of DAU courses and assigned appropriate academic credit toward one of their accredited graduate degrees.
‘This partnership will help the participants better understand the cybersecurity impact in developing and managing acquisition programs, projects, and systems that continue to make our nation’s warfighters the best-equipped armed forces in the world,” said Acting DAU President James McMichael. The Defense Acquisition University enables the Defense Acquisition Workforce to achieve better acquisition outcomes. Everything that is done at DAU is for the acquisition professional — from formal courses and continuous learning modules to knowledge sharing assets and consulting. As a learning partner, DAU and UoF will be with the acquisition professional in the classroom, online, and in the workplace — whenever and wherever needed.
Individuals interested in the program may call the University of Fairfax at 703-790-3203, visit the UoF web site at http://www.ufairfax.edu/uof/dau, or the Defense Acquisition University web site at http://www.dau.mil/aboutDAU/Lists/StrategicPartnership/itemdv.aspx.
As malicious online activity continues to grow at an unprecedented rate severely threatening the nation’s public and private information infrastructure, the need for qualified and certified cybersecurity professionals becomes even more critical. As a result, the UoF and DAU Strategic Partnership will facilitate the opportunity for the acquisition workforce to earn critical cybersecurity certifications, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in cybersecurity at the UoF by applying applicable work educational and training experience as credits toward UoF programs of study.
“As the nation’s first graduate institution focused exclusively on the field of cybersecurity, the University of Fairfax recognizes the need for cybersecurity professionals in all fields, but particularly in national defense,” said Christopher V. Feudo, President of the University of Fairfax. “Through this partnership, the University will enhance its mission to fill the critical shortage in high-level cybersecurity practitioners in this vital area.”
About the University of Fairfax
The University of Fairfax is an accredited, cybersecurity graduate university which seeks to address the growing shortage of cybersecurity professionals who can conduct cutting-edge research. The University of Fairfax offers online graduate programs with curricula exclusively focused on cybersecurity. Founded in response to 9/11, the University of Fairfax is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The University of Fairfax has been certified by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) to operate in the state of Virginia. The University of Fairfax is an Authorized Education Partner and CPE Provider of (ISC) ®, and has received National Security Agency (NSA) authorization for awarding both the NSA 4011 and 4012 certifications. UoF is a participant in the Yellow and Blue Ribbon Programs.
About Defense Acquisition University
The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is a corporate university for the Department of Defense, coordinating learning programs for nearly 152,000 Defense Acquisition Workforce employees. DAU provides a global learning environment to support a mission-ready Defense Acquisition Workforce that develops, delivers, and sustains effective and affordable warfighting capabilities. DAU serves military and civilian acquisition personnel throughout their careers through certification training, continuous learning opportunities, knowledge sharing and mission assistance. DAU is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
