WVU Parkersburg and Washington State College of Ohio announce cybersecurity degree partnership
WVU Parkersburg and Washington State College of Ohio announce cybersecurity degree partnership
Publish Date: 2026-02-03 18:27:00
Source Domain: www.wtap.com
Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points. PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP)- West Virginia University Parkersburg (WVUP) and Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) have announced a new partnership designed to make pursuing a cybersecurity degree more accessible to students in the Mid-Ohio Valley.The partnership is available to students interested in transferring after completing their associate degree at WSCO. Under the new agreement, students will complete their first two years at Washington State College of Ohio before transferring to WVUP to finish their final two years and earn their bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. Students must meet the admission requirements of both institutions to graduate.WVUP President Tori Jackson emphasized the strategic advantage of the collaboration, said the partnership allows the institutions to build on each other’s strengths.“We know that by partnering with another institution that we can build on what they’re already doing, which is a great foundation for cybersecurity,” Jackson said. “Then, they’re going to be able to come to us and be able to get the last two years so they can have a four-year degree, which makes them very employable in any technology field globally.”According to a press release made by WVUP, courses for the bachelor’s degree will be delivered by WVU Parkersburg through its online learning platform, enabling working students to balance their education with other commitments.Sarah Parker, president of WSCO, highlighted the economic benefits of pursuing the four-year degree.“The other thing we like for them to understand is the more that they learn, the more that they earn,” Parker said. “Making sure that once they’re finished with that associate degree, the baccalaureate is going to open doors for further opportunities.”Jacob Stealey, a WVUP senior graduating in May, demonstrates the program’s impact at WVUP.“Myself, I didn’t know anything about cybersecurity, networking, anything like that before I came here,” Stealey said. “Over my last four years, I’ve learned so much and it’s helped out so much in the field where I work and with my classes in the classroom as well.”WVUP added from the press release that students will receive coordinated academic advising from both institutions to ensure a smooth transition and support timely degree completion.“Students don’t have to worry about traveling a far distance to get their baccalaureate degree or being in an online setting that is not conducive to a learning community,” Parker said. “So this provides them both of those things.”“We are allowing them to learn about things globally, and we believe that that’s very important for our students to see beyond the lens of the Mid-Ohio Valley, even though we want them to stay with us,” Jackson added. “We want them to know about the great opportunities that exist.”To learn more about WVUP’s cybersecurity program, you can click here.To also learn about WSCO’s cybersecurity program, you can also click here. See an error in our reporting? Send us an email by clicking here!Copyright 2026 WTAP. All rights reserved.
