Build Career-Ready Cybersecurity & AI Skills Through Real Client Projects
The FORGE CyberAI Clinic gives University of Maryland Global Campus learners the opportunity to apply cybersecurity and AI knowledge in a professional consulting environment. Working under faculty supervision, you'll collaborate with real organizations to conduct cybersecurity risk assessments, evaluate AI readiness, and deliver actionable recommendations that make a measurable impact.
Through this 15-week workplace learning experience, you'll strengthen technical, analytical, and client-facing skills while building a portfolio of real-world deliverables. You'll also have opportunities to earn academic credit, pursue industry certifications, and gain experience that helps distinguish you in a competitive cybersecurity job market.
Whether you're looking to expand your professional experience, grow your network, or prepare for your next career opportunity, the FORGE CyberAI Clinic provides a unique bridge between classroom learning and real-world practice.
Get Started as a FORGE CyberAI Clinic Learner
To join the Forge CyberAI Clinic, you must be a current, degree-seeking UMGC student and meet all of the following requirements:
| Requirements | Undergraduate | Graduate |
| Credits Completed | At least 60, including 15 in your major | At least 12 graduate credits |
| Cumulative GPA | 3.0 or higher | 3.0 or higher |
| Certification | One cybersecurity industry certification* | One cybersecurity industry certification* |
Accepted certifications include
- CompTIA Security+ or CASP+
- ISC2 SSCP or CISSP
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud security certification
- Other industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications
Every applicant also completes an interview before admission.
Undergraduate students: Because the clinic runs through UMGC's Workplace Learning program, you will need to have an official evaluation on file and speak to your academic advisor/success coach before you apply.
Recommended preparation: We recommend that you've completed coursework in networking, Linux, network security and ethical hacking. Some examples of these courses include
- (3 Credits, CMIT 265)
- (3 Credits, CMIT 291)
- (3 Credits, CMIT 320)
- (3 Credits, CMIT 321)
Learners interested in joining the FORGE CyberAI Clinic may begin by completing an application form.
Every applicant also completes a structured interview with a success coach to confirm they understand the 15-week commitment and that this is real client work, not simulated coursework.
The Success Coach Interview will be broken up into three parts:
- Commitment & Availability
- Understanding the Work
- Professional Readiness
The interview will also have written commitment acknowledgement and a binary Pass/Flag/Not Ready scoring approach.
Once learners are accepted into the clinic, they’ll be part of a five-person team under faculty supervision that will assess a real organization’s cybersecurity and AI readiness for 15 weeks and present their findings.