Metro State University has reached a historic milestone in cybersecurity education: we are now the first and only university in Minnesota to earn the prestigious National Security Agency (NSA) designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (NCAE-CO). This places Metro State among an elite group of just 22 institutions nationwide recognized for this rigorous distinction.
With this achievement, Metro State becomes Minnesota’s only university to hold all three of the nation’s premier federal cybersecurity and intelligence designations:
- NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD)
- NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (NCAE-CO)
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence-designated North Star Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (ICCAE)
These designations recognize the strength and depth of our academic offerings, which include:
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Master of Science in Cyber Operations
- Accelerated (4+1) BS/MS program in Cybersecurity Operations
- A new Undergraduate Certificate in Intelligence & Security Analysis (launching Fall 2025)
Metro State’s growing reputation as a national hub for cyber and intelligence talent continues to open doors for students to launch careers that make a real impact in national security, defense, and beyond — right here in the heart of the Twin Cities.