Rider University to create bridge program for cybersecurity master’s degree

The skills gap shortage within the information technology and cybersecurity sector is nearly unmatched, and, according to workforce statistics, there are 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals needed by 2025.

To that end, Rider University on Wednesday said it recently secured a $66,500 grant from Northeastern University. The funds will go toward implementing a technical bridge program for Rider’s master’s program in cybersecurity.

The program, set to begin in fall 2023, will include online self-paced modules supervised by a faculty member. Depending on a student’s undergraduate major, the program will take approximately six to 12 weeks to complete.

Elizabeth Hawthorne, program director for the master’s program in cybersecurity, secured the funding. She says a bridge program is crucial to fill a projected gap in cybersecurity workers.

“The program will help bridge that urgent workforce gap by providing students who did not study cybersecurity or computer science at the undergraduate level with the foundational skills needed to succeed at the master’s level,” Hawthorne said.

The program is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and a sincere desire to pursue a rewarding career in cybersecurity.

“Students who graduate with a master’s in cybersecurity will have an abundance of opportunities for them after they graduate with average salaries near or over $100,000,” Hawthorne said.

Rider University offers a bachelor’s program and fully online master’s program in cybersecurity. For more information about the cybersecurity bridge program, contact Hawthorne at ehawthorne@rider.edu. To learn more about the master’s program, visit rider.edu/cybersecurity.

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