NSA Designates Saint Louis University a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command.

The CAE-CD designation identifies institutions committed to producing world-class cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and skills to reduce risks to national cyberinfrastructure. This designation signifies an institution has excelled in its academic programs in interdisciplinary, hands-on cybersecurity instruction. SLU has been designated for its master’s program in cybersecurity.

“Cybersecurity plays a critical role in keeping our nation's infrastructure safe,” said Maria Weber, director of SLU’s master’s program in cybersecurity. “Being designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense reinforces Saint Louis University's status as one of the nation's premier research and training institutions providing a world-class education in cybersecurity.”

SLU is one of only five universities nationally that has been designated as both an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and an Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence (IC-CAE). SLU received the IC-CAE designation in 2022. The designation and $2.5 million in grant funding support the design and development of intelligence-related STEM curricula and programmatic training opportunities to prepare students for careers in the field of intelligence.

The NSA and the DoD Cyber Academic Engagement Office jointly sponsor the CAE-CD program. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence sponsors the IC-CAE program.  With both designations, SLU students can compete for prestigious scholarships and internships, conduct research on real-world problems, and participate in nationwide competitions. Graduates of these programs are highly sought after by employers in the private and public sectors.

“This dual designation as an IC-CAE and a CAE -CD demonstrates the impact of the University’s broadening research portfolio in national security and STEM,” says SLU IC-CAE Director Joe Lyons. “Saint Louis University has a long history and commitment to excellence in research and education in public service. Our faculty across various interdisciplinary fields in science, engineering, cybersecurity and strategic intelligence  are well positioned to further advance  and elevate our status as an R1 institute and as a talent pipeline for future intelligence community professionals.”

SLU began offering a Master of Science in Cybersecurity in 2018. A unique aspect of SLU’s program is the ability to simultaneously earn a graduate certificate that complements the Master’s degree.  The certificates let students tailor their studies to specific aspects of technical or leadership issues outside of the major field of study and are an additional academic credential.

“SLU's designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense recognizes the strength of our Master's program in Cybersecurity, and our commitment to cybersecurity education,” said Scott Duellman, interim dean of SLU's School for Professional Studies. “This recognition allows for greater innovation, expanded research opportunities, and partnerships with government and industry, empowering our graduates to be leaders in safeguarding the digital infrastructure of our nation and the world.”

Saint Louis University

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic research institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers more than 15,300 students a rigorous, transformative education that challenges and prepares them to make the world a better place. As a nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, SLU is an R1 research university, advancing groundbreaking, life-changing discoveries that promote the greater good.