Central Washington University (CWU) Sammamish recently announced it will be offering a master’s degree program for a Master of Science (MS) degree in Information Technology and Administrative Management (ITAM), specializing in cybersecurity. Classes will begin in September.
CWU main campus in Ellensburg launched the program in 2015. Due to the program’s success and consistent enrollment, CWU is launching the program at CWU Sammamish.
Julie Bonner, CWU’s MS-ITAM program coordinator, said they chose the Sammamish location since it is closest to major tech industries such as Microsoft and Amazon.
Rachel White, CWU ITAM outreach assistant, said the program is an option for students considering a career change or wanting to gain expertise.
“We aim to prepare our students for roles in leadership/management through closing the gap between soft skills and hard skills (tech skills). Our industry-driven curriculum and flexible course offerings are what make this program so valuable to students, but our students are the ones who have made our program as great as it is today,” she said. “We’ve been able to adapt our program model and curriculum based on their interests and feedback over the years; which is why the expansion to CWU-Sammamish has been such an exciting venture.”
The focus on cybersecurity was deliberate, Bonner said.
“There’s been a lot of interest especially given the demographic in that area…We want to ensure our new program incorporates the high-demand skills and attributes information technology workers need to succeed in technology companies throughout the Puget Sound and worldwide, for that matter,” she said.
“Every organization today needs cybersecurity professionals,” ITAM department chair Robert Lupton said. He added that the new program will offer the essential skills that meet the needs of busy professionals who live throughout the region and have work, family, travel or other obligations.
The new program will offer both full- and part-time program options and can be completed in one year. CWU-Sammamish will host classes once a month, on Fridays and Saturdays, which will be supplemented by online content.
Elizabeth Henry, CWU program manager, said “Students can look forward to flexible schedules and diving into a new and exciting topic.”
Applications for the program are open. Application deadline is Aug. 1. CWU-Sammamish will be hosting information sessions for interested applicants.
Those dates are:
Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m. at Sammamish Room 201A
Wednesday, April 17 at 12 p.m. online at https://zoom.us/j/2062904432
Friday, May 17 at 6 p.m. at Sammamish Room 201A
Saturday, June 15 10 a.m. online at https://zoom.us/j/2062904432
Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m. at Sammamish Room 201A
Students can find out more information and get connected with an adviser on the CWU website http://tinyurl.com/yy8lanoq.
Students can apply for the MS-ITAM degree also on the website http://tinyurl.com/y6rae34h.
