University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and the National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic School (NCS) have signed an agreement that will create an additional pathway for NSA employees, including active-duty military personnel, to increase their skills and gain academic credit toward degrees in cybersecurity and foreign languages from UMUC.

“It is our honor to partner with the National Security Agency and its National Cryptologic School in this important articulation agreement,” UMUC President Javier Miyares said during a signing ceremony held at the National Cryptologic Museum. The agreement “promises to help the Agency further develop its bench strength, while at the same time supporting employees who are seeking to advance professionally and military personnel who are transitioning to civilian careers.”

In the area of cybersecurity, NSA employees can earn UMUC credit from taking Joint Cyber Analysis Courses (JCAC) and NCS courses, which can be applied toward UMUC degrees such as the Associate of Arts in General Studies with a specialization in Computer Studies, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity.

By taking certain language courses at the NCS, as well as the Defense Language Institute, NSA employees can also earn credit toward the Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies or an Associate of Arts in General Studies with a specialization in Spanish Studies, German Studies, Japanese Studies, or Arabic Studies.

“This agreement will dramatically impact the ability of our workforce to operate in the most mission essential spaces in the country,” said Diane M. Janosek, deputy commandant of the NCS. “We have people that go all around the world in defense of our country and cybersecurity and language skills are areas that are continually in high demand.”

Sharon Fratta-Hill, the NSC’s liaison officer for college articulations, said that the agreement with UMUC is “the most extensive articulation agreement we have with any institution. It allows our employees the flexibility to continue to work on their degrees even if they should relocate.

“NSA has the highest concentration of mathematicians in the world,” Fratta-Hill added. “We have incredibly bright people with master’s and Ph.D. degrees who want to keep learning. Our partnership with UMUC is really helping secure our national defense.”

About University of Maryland University College

University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is headquartered at the epicenter of cybersecurity, between the Department of Defense’s Cyber Command in Maryland and the cyber corridor in Virginia. In 1949, UMUC was the first university to send faculty overseas to educate active-duty military personnel in Europe and has stood in commitment to the nation’s military for the last 70 years. Today, UMUC serves more than 90,000 students, including more than 50,000 active-duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and their family members at military installations in more than 20 countries.

About the National Cryptologic School

The National Cryptologic School (NCS) delivers flexible education, training, and learning solutions that respond to the needs of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command in support of the global cryptologic mission. NCS is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and leads the way in developing and implementing curricula in the fields of language and area studies, cryptology, cyber, education, leadership, and business development.