DSU, NSU Announcement Partnership to Expand Cybersecurity Education Pathways

April 15, 2026

Dakota State University (DSU) and Northern State University (NSU) have entered into a series of partnership agreements designed to create new and streamlined educational pathways for students seeking degrees in criminal justice and cybersecurity. The agreements - which include a dual degree program and an accelerated master's option - open doors for students at both institutions to earn credentials from two of South Dakota's leading universities without duplicating coursework or time.

The partnership, beginning spring 2026, reflects a shared commitment between DSU and NSU to address growing workforce demand in cybersecurity and public safety fields while maximizing the value of a South Dakota Board of Regents education for students across the region.

"This partnership reflects the strength of our system and what is possible when our universities work together with a shared focus on student success," said Dr. Rebecca Hoey, DSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. "By aligning programs across Dakota State and Northern, we are creating a seamless pathway for students to earn complementary degrees leading to in-demand careers-without adding time or cost to completion."

"Through this partnership, Dakota State leverages its strength in cybersecurity, and Northern leverages our strength in criminology and criminal justice," said Dr. Erin Fouberg, NSU Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. "Students will be prepared to understand, investigate, and prevent today's most complex crimes. Working together, we are expanding opportunities for students in South Dakota and across the country to access a distinctive pathway in a high-demand field."

DSU is nationally recognized as one of only ten universities in the country to hold all three Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designations from the National Security Agency in Cyber Operations, Cyber Defense, and Cyber Research. NSU's Criminal Justice and Criminology programs have long prepared students for careers in law enforcement, public safety, and justice administration across the region.

Agreements were developed with the goal of eliminating barriers to credential attainment while meeting the state's growing need for a trained cybersecurity workforce.

Dual Degree Program (B.A. + B.S.)

Students enrolled in NSU's Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice can concurrently pursue a Bachelor of Science from DSU in either:

• Cyber Leadership and Intelligence
• Network and Security Administration

The program is designed to be completed in four years by taking advantage of shared general education requirements across both institutions. All coursework for both degrees is available fully online, allowing students to remain at their home institution while progressing toward credentials from both universities.

Accelerated Master's Program (4+1 Model)

NSU students in the B.A. Criminology and Criminal Justice program will have a streamlined path to earn a Master of Science in Cyber Defense with a Security Management and Compliance Specialization from DSU - completing both degrees in approximately five years.

Students who meet eligibility requirements - including a minimum 3.0 GPA - are guaranteed admission to DSU's graduate program. Up to 12 graduate-level credits taken at DSU during a student's senior year at NSU count toward both degrees, reducing total time to completion. Students apply for the graduate program in the fall of their junior year and receive no-fee admission upon meeting program standards.

Prospective students interested in the dual degree or accelerated master's programs are encouraged to contact their academic advisor at their home institutions, either NSU or DSU. More information can also be found on applicable program pages at northern.edu and dsu.edu.

Tags: College of Arts & Sciences All News Cyber Admissions Academics DSU Online The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences