CAE designation recognizes accredited institutions that meet rigorous national standards for cybersecurity curriculum, faculty expertise, institutional support, and student preparation. For Northwood University, the designation marks the culmination of a yearlong application process and for its Program of Study in Cybersecurity Management.
“This National Security Agency designation is a powerful affirmation of Northwood University’s commitment to academic excellence, workforce readiness, and the preparation of principled leaders in one of the most critical fields of our time,” said Academics Vice President and Provost Kristin Stehouwer.
Advancing Cyber Education
The NSA’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program recognizes institutions that help advance the nation’s cybersecurity education pipeline and prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to protect and defend against cyber threats. Furthermore, CAE-designated institutions undergo an in-depth assessment and must meet rigorous requirements related to curriculum, faculty, institutional practices, and cybersecurity education.
“The designation announced this week validates both Northwood’s Program of Study and Northwood University’s broader institutional commitment to cybersecurity education,” said Academic Dean Stacey Tetloff. “This recognition is the result of sustained work by our faculty and academic leadership to build a cybersecurity program that is rigorous, relevant, and aligned with national standards.”
The CAE designation follows the NSA’s 2025 validation of Northwood’s Program of Study in Cybersecurity Management, which affirmed Northwood’s program meets NSA standards for academic excellence, curriculum rigor, and cybersecurity competency among students and faculty.
“This designation matters because it validates the quality of what our students are learning and expands the opportunities available to them,” said Dr. Ann-Marie Horcher, program lead for cyber education at Northwood University. Additionally, “our students are preparing for careers that protect organizations, infrastructure, and individuals from real-world threats. The CAE designation helps signal to employers, graduate schools, and scholarship programs that Northwood students are completing a nationally recognized cybersecurity curriculum.”
Cybersecurity students ready to begin an annual red-blue live challenge that is part of Northwood University’s cybersecurity management program.
Source: Northwood University
The designation may also strengthen pathways for students seeking competitive cybersecurity scholarships and public-service career opportunities.
Possible Career Moves
Those careers include programs such as the Department of Defense Cyber Service Academy, which supports students enrolled in or applying to universities designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Moreover, it also applies to the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service program. That program provides up to three years of support for cybersecurity undergraduate and graduate education in exchange for public service after graduation.
Northwood’s NSA-validated Program of Study is the foundation of the school’s new Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity. This is one of the nation’s first 90-credit cybersecurity degrees designed to provide students with a high-quality, career-ready education at a lower cost and in less time.
“Northwood University is committed to helping meet the growing demand for cyber-savvy leaders who can lead with character, competency, and an understanding of the free-enterprise system,” Stehouwer said. Furthermore, “cybersecurity is no longer only a technology issue; it is a leadership issue – and this CAE designation strengthens Northwood’s ability to prepare graduates who understand the stakes, can work across organizations, and remain equipped to protect the digital infrastructure that supports commerce, innovation, and national security.”
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