– Scholarship applications now open for students beginning in Spring and Fall 2027 –
– New STEM program preparing students for fast-growing and in-demand career field –
St. Thomas Aquinas College is expanding its College of the Future initiative with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, an undergraduate program that prepares students to protect the digital infrastructure that powers today’s organizations and tomorrow’s economy.
“Higher education has a responsibility to evolve in lock step with the world we serve,” said St. Thomas Aquinas College President Ken Daly. “The launch of our Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity reflects our commitment to preparing students for careers shaped by innovation, emerging technologies, and a rapidly changing global economy. Through our College of the Future initiative, we continue to expand academic offerings that anticipate workforce needs while remaining grounded in the values of a transformative liberal arts education.”
Offered through the College’s School of STEM, the new degree reflects St. Thomas Aquinas College’s commitment to anticipating workforce needs and developing academic programs that equip students with the technical expertise, analytical skills, and ethical foundation to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
“Our program prepares students to think critically, anticipate emerging threats, solve complex problems, and apply their knowledge through meaningful hands-on experiences that reflect the realities of today’s cybersecurity profession,” said Dr. Bianca Wentzell, Dean of the School of STEM at St. Thomas Aquinas College
Organizations across every sector — including healthcare, finance, government, technology, education, and defense — are facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and a growing need for professionals who can protect critical systems and sensitive information. The B.S. in Cybersecurity addresses this demand, combining a future-focused curriculum with practical, hands-on learning that prepares students to address today’s evolving cybersecurity challenges.
Students will study network and systems security, cybercrime and governance, digital forensics, ethical hacking, cloud security, and risk management while gaining experience with industry-relevant technologies including Python, Linux, AWS, Azure, and scripting. Developed in partnership with Rize Education, the curriculum is designed to reflect current industry needs and emerging technologies while helping prepare students for respected industry certifications, including CompTIA Security+ and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students will gain hands-on experience by identifying system vulnerabilities, analyzing cyber threats, investigating digital evidence, and implementing security solutions using the same tools and technologies employed by today’s cybersecurity professionals. The curriculum culminates in a capstone course in ethical hacking, where students apply their knowledge in realistic cybersecurity scenarios designed to strengthen digital defenses.
Graduates will be prepared for careers in cybersecurity, digital forensics, network security, incident response, information security, consulting, and IT management. According to Lightcast labor market data, cybersecurity-related occupations have a national median advertised salary of $125,000.
The B.S. in Cybersecurity joins a growing portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs developed through the College’s College of the Future initiative, including the MBA in Cybersecurity, preparing students at every stage for the careers shaping tomorrow’s workforce. The program is offered in partnership with Rize Education, providing students access to select online Cybersecurity courses taught by faculty from a consortium of accredited colleges and universities.
St. Thomas Aquinas College’s School of STEM continues to build momentum, with growing enrollment, expanded academic offerings, and the launch of its first graduate programs, the M.S. and Advanced Certificate in Exercise Science. The School provides students with hands-on learning experiences supported by advanced technology and state-of-the-art facilities, including the SKAE Astronomy Center, made possible by Peter and Leslie Skae, and the Mattone and Family Advanced STEM and Microscopy Classroom, established through the generosity of Drs. Joseph and Mary Ann Mattone. Together, these resources provide opportunities for advanced study, research, and discovery across STEM disciplines.
Applications are now open for students interested in beginning the program in Spring or Fall 2027. Students are encouraged to apply by October 31, 2026 for priority admission and scholarship consideration. For more information or to apply, visit stac.edu/cyberdegree or contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@stac.edu.
About St. Thomas Aquinas College
St. Thomas Aquinas College St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 76 acres in Rockland County, NY, providing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s diverse student body of approximately 2,000 full and part-time students can choose from over 100 majors, minors, and specializations across four Schools: Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and STEM. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, and by Colleges of Distinction in its New York edition for Business, Education, and Career Development. The College is also recognized as a Yellow Ribbon Program institution. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.