Credentialing

Abilene Christian University and Infosec Institute Partner to Offer Academic Credit for CompTIA Certifications

• By Kate Lucariello
• 02/07/24

Abilene Christian University (ACU) and Cengage Group's Infosec Institute have teamed up to offer academic credit for Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) cybersecurity certifications. Infotech's cybersecurity students can now receive college credit toward ACU's degree and certificate programs.

According to a release, the partnership provides several advantages:

• A clear pathway for students to pursue industry certifications and have them recognized as academic programs toward degrees and certificates;
• Student savings of time and money, as those with existing CompTIA certifications can save on per-course tuition costs by receiving college credit for five waived courses toward a bachelor's degree; and a 25% discount for those pursuing cybersecurity certificate programs;
• Easy integration of Infosec training into ACU's bachelor's degree program and two cybersecurity certificate programs;
• Assurance that students with Infosec's technical training will have grounding in academic, theoretical cybersecurity principles, thus providing a well-rounded education.

Programs offered under the partnership include a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity; Cybersecurity 1: Certificate in Fundamental System Security; and Cybersecurity 2: Certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense.

Calling the partnership a "transformative approach to cybersecurity education," Stephen Johnson, CEO of ACU's Dallas campus, which offers the university's online programs, said, "By recognizing the value of CompTIA certifications for college credit, we are breaking new ground in providing a pathway for learners to bridge the gap between industry expertise and formal academic achievement."

Keaton Evans, Infotech's vice president of portfolio product strategy, agreed it is a game-changer, "offering our learners the recognition they deserve in both the industry and academic realms."

For more information on these joint programs, visit the ACU/Infosec partnership page.