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Start a cybersecurity or data science career — with Drake State

Information security is a fast-growing field, projected to grow 35% between 2021 and 2031,[1] while data analytics jobs are projected to grow by 36% in the same time period.[2]

Drake State Community & Technical College — in partnership with the Truist Foundation, Jobs for the Future, and edX — is offering two fully-funded, 24-week online boot camps to equip you with the fundamental skills you need to meet the growing demand for data analysts and cybersecurity specialists.

[1] Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
[2] Occupational Outlook Handbook: Data Scientists. (2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved July 17, 2023.

Both boot camps start on March 25, 2024.

Apply for a program funding award

As part of our commitment to ensuring diversity, we are offering 30 fully-funded awards for each boot camp that cover the entire $10,000 tuition fee for qualified applicants.

The program is open to adult learners in the Huntsville, Alabama area. We especially encourage applicants from diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds — as well as from underrepresented groups — to apply.

The application for a fully-funded award is open and closes on February 5th.

Click to apply!

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Cybersecurity

Cybercrimes are on the rise. Drake State’s Cybersecurity Boot Camp prepares you with the technical skills you need to protect organizations from digital threats. Through an immersive hands-on curriculum, you’ll learn fundamental cybersecurity methods and apply them with practical exercises.

Data analytics

Big data is the key to actionable intel. Drake State’s Data Analytics Boot Camp combines collaborative, hands-on training with real-world data sets to provide you with the tools to collect, analyze, visualize, and communicate data insights.

What’s included?

In addition to fully-funded tuition for qualified applicants, funding award recipients will have access to services offered through our partner, United Way, such as:

  • Access to childcare

  • Access to transportation
  • Career-readiness support
  • Required equipment

Plus: Transferable credits

Students who successfully complete the Cybersecurity or Data Analytics Boot Camps can apply the credit toward a degree at Drake State.

Who should apply?

Any adult (18 years or older) in the Huntsville, Alabama area.

At the core of these careers are skills you may already possess. Drake State’s boot camps in cybersecurity or data analytics will teach you to apply your core skills to new problems, and will give you in-demand technical skills and tools along the way.

This program is ideal for:

  • Career changers and upskillers

  • Those who want to advance their careers but aren’t ready to commit to a four-year degree

  • Transitioning military

A powerful collective impact educational partnership

About Drake State Community & Technical College

Established in 1961, Drake State Community & Technical College is a Historically Black Community College (HBCC) in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville is home to the fast-growing, highly technical aerospace and defense industry, including the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal, and Cummings Research Park. Drake State offers flexible, affordable university-transfer two-year and technical degrees, certificates, adult and continuing education, and customized technical skills training for Huntsville/Madison County employers.

About edX

edX, part of 2U Inc., works with respected universities and organizations to deliver innovative, skills-based training to a community of over 45 million learners around the world to support them at every stage of their lives and careers. edX delivers boot camps through an immersive learning experience with expert services and valuable resources. As of 2021, graduates have been hired by 6,700+ companies, including more than 62% of the Fortune 100.

About Truist Foundation

Truist’s purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities. By partnering directly with nonprofit organizations that support wealth building for historically excluded communities, we’re helping them innovate and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

About Jobs for the Future

Jobs for the Future (JFF) is a national nonprofit that drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. We do this by designing solutions, scaling best practices, influencing policy and action, and investing in innovation. We forge deep partnerships with employers, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and education and workforce development providers to break down barriers and reimagine what’s possible.

ADMISSION FAQs

How do I know if I am eligible for a funding award, and how are awards determined?
To be eligible for a fully-funded award, you must be 18 years or older and a resident of Huntsville, Alabama. We encourage those from diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds — as well as from underrepresented groups — to apply, as funding awards decisions will be impact-driven.
What does the funding application consist of?
The funding application lives on the Good Grants platform. It starts by asking you to confirm that you are eligible for the funding award. Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you will then be asked to provide detailed demographic information such as your name, address, gender, age, race, ethnicity, household size and income, citizenship, education level, employment status, disability status, veteran status, and criminal record. You will also be asked to share your résumé, details related to your career path, and why you are applying for the program and funding award.
If I am selected for a funding award, what other services/resources will be available to me?
In partnership with United Way, students will have access to childcare, transportation, career-readiness support, and any required equipment for the course.
If I am not awarded funding at this time, will there be additional opportunities in the future?
Yes. If you are still interested, you may apply again. Sign up to be notified when the application will reopen for 2024 cohorts.
Is this program held 100% online?
All classes are held virtually/online. However, if you are selected for funding, you will be expected to attend occasional mandatory in-person events at the Drake State Community & Technical College campus.
Can I keep working while studying in the program?

Yes. The program is designed for working individuals who are actively pursuing a career change or advancement. The part-time schedule allows you to continue working while advancing your skills. In addition to the classroom hours (9 hours per week), you can expect to devote 20 or more hours per week to your homework assignments.

If you will be working full-time while in the program, we recommend that you confirm your work schedule will allow for you to attend classes regularly and take advantage of the academic resources available for you to be successful in the program. You may only miss up to four class sessions in order to receive a certificate of completion for the course.