Show-Me State Times

Saint Louis University has been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command. According to Maria Weber, director of SLU’s master’s program in cybersecurity, this designation underscores the importance of cybersecurity in national infrastructure protection and reinforces the university's status as a leading institution in cybersecurity education.

SLU stands among only five universities nationwide to hold both the NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and the Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence designations. The university received the latter in 2022, which along with a $2.5 million grant, supports the development of intelligence-related STEM curricula and training for students pursuing intelligence careers.

The CAE-CD program is sponsored by the NSA and the DoD Cyber Academic Engagement Office, while the IC-CAE program is under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. These designations provide SLU students with opportunities for scholarships, internships, real-world research, and participation in national competitions, making them attractive candidates for private and public sector employment.

Joe Lyons, SLU IC-CAE Director, emphasized the dual designations' significance in expanding the university's research portfolio in national security and STEM, noting SLU's longstanding commitment to research and education in public service.

Since 2018, SLU has offered a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. The program features the option to earn a graduate certificate aligning with the Master’s degree, allowing students to focus on technical or leadership aspects outside their primary field of study for additional academic credentials.

Scott Duellman, interim dean of SLU's School for Professional Studies, remarked on the importance of the CAE-CD designation, stating it highlights the strength and commitment of SLU's cybersecurity program, fostering innovation, research, and partnerships to prepare graduates for leadership roles in digital infrastructure protection.