Photo courtesy of Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI).
MOORPARK — Moorpark College and Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) (on Oct. 12) announced the Spring 2027 launch of two new bachelor’s degree programs in cybersecurity, marking a significant milestone in higher education for Ventura County and the broader region. The programs respond directly to an urgent national demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals—a workforce gap projected to reach hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions across the United States.
“The future of higher education depends on our ability to work together, respond to the evolving needs of our communities, and create meaningful opportunities for students,” said Dr. Rick MacLennan, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District. “This collaboration reflects what is possible when our institutions align their strengths to expand educational pathways, support regional workforce needs, and prepare students for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”
The two programs are complementary in design and distinct in focus: Moorpark College’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Cyberdefense and Network Operations (ACNO) provides intensive, hands-on technical training in network security, penetration testing, and digital forensics; while Cal State Channel Islands’ Bachelor of Science in Business with a Cybersecurity Management Emphasis equips students with the leadership, policy, and organizational skills needed to manage cybersecurity strategy at the enterprise level.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical challenge—it is a business imperative and a matter of national security,” said Dr. Julius Sokenu, Moorpark College President. “With these two programs, Moorpark College and CSUCI are giving Ventura County students access to world-class cybersecurity education without leaving the region. We are proud to be building this pathway together.”
“This partnership is about creating opportunity for Ventura County students while building the talent our region needs,” said CSUCI Interim President Dr. Susan Andrzejewski. “Together, Moorpark College and CSUCI are creating complementary pathways into cybersecurity, from highly technical preparation to business and organizational leaderships. Students can pursue an affordable, high-quality education close to home and graduate prepared for careers that are increasingly important to our region and the state.”
About the Programs
Cal State Channel Islands — Business, B.S. with Cybersecurity Management Emphasis
CSUCI’s program integrates rigorous business fundamentals, including finance, management, marketing, and business ethics, with specialized cybersecurity coursework in information systems planning and policy, cybersecurity management, and incident handling and investigation. Designed as a two-year upper-division program for transfer students, it positions graduates for leadership and management careers in cybersecurity, including roles as Cybersecurity Manager, IT Risk and Compliance Officer, Information Systems Policy Analyst, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Moorpark College — B.S. in Applied Cyberdefense and Network Operations
The ACNO program at Moorpark College is built on the foundation of the college’s nationally recognized Computer Network Systems Engineering department—itself designated by the U.S. National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD). Students develop deep technical skills in network security architecture, penetration testing, digital forensics, cloud security, and incident response, with access to industry-standard simulation tools and hybrid lab environments. The program prepares graduates for roles such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Network Engineer, Penetration Tester, Digital Forensics Investigator, and Security Operations Center Analyst.
A Seamless Regional Pathway
The partnership between Moorpark College and CSUCI creates an educational pipeline for Ventura County students. Students may begin at Moorpark College, benefiting from community college tuition and small, supportive class environments, complete their lower-division General Education and prerequisite coursework, and transfer to CSUCI to finish a B.S. in Business with a Cybersecurity Management Emphasis in two additional years. Alternatively, students seeking a fully technical credential may complete Moorpark’s ACNO Bachelor’s Degree and enter the workforce as cybersecurity practitioners.
“We want every student in Ventura County to know that a high-quality bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is within reach—and that there is a pathway designed for them,” said Dr. John Forbes, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Moorpark College. “Moorpark is proud of our standing as an Aspen Award Top 10 College, and this partnership with CSUCI represents the next chapter in delivering on that promise of excellence for our students and our region.”
For more information about the Moorpark College B.S. in Applied Cyberdefense and Network Operations, contact: MCbdp@vcccd.edu.
For more information about CSUCI’s Business B.S. with Cybersecurity Management Emphasis, contact: admissions@csuci.edu.
About Moorpark College
Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 18,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023 and 2025, Moorpark College has also been named a 2026 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree animal care and training program in the country. To learn more, visit MoorparkCollege.edu or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.
About Cal State Channel Islands
Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) is Ventura County’s only public university. Opened in 2002, CSUCI is part of the California State University — the nation’s largest and most diverse four-year public university system. Located near Camarillo, the campus serves more than 4,800 students across more than 90 academic programs. A proud Hispanic-Serving Institution, CSUCI is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education for its commitment to excellence and opportunity. Learn more at www.csuci.edu or follow @csuci on social media.