Casey Curtis, Communications Coordinator

HOPE/TEXARKANA, AR – August 1, 2022

The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana will offer a new Certificate of Proficiency (CP) in Cybersecurity and a new CP in IT Technician beginning this fall. The certificates are designed to lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Technology.

The CP in Cybersecurity is a partnership in the CyberLearn Network consortium led by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The consortium will allow sharing of curriculum and instructional resources to provide cybersecurity programs across the state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cybersecurity is expected to see a 33% industry projection over the next decade, and the expected starting salary is $50,000.

The CP in IT Technician will prepare students to take the CompTIA A+ certification exam. This certification is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. According to CompTIA, it is the only industry-recognized credential with performance-based skills to prove competency. The BLS projects the overall employment of computer support specialists to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, and the expected starting salary is $30,000 to $40,000.

Courses in the programs include:

• Computer Maintenance I and II

• Ethics in Technology

• Principles of Information Security

• Networking Essentials

• And more!

To register for classes, contact the Purtle Advising Center at 870-722-8124 or email [email protected].