The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) already exceeded enrollment predictions for its new online bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, which launched in the fall semester, and expects increased demand in the spring and fall of 2026, according to the university.
The same week the university launched the bachelor’s degree in August, the Nevada state government suffered a massive data breach, underscoring the program’s real-world urgency.
“Every time you look in the news, there’s a new data breach,” Greg Moody, the director of the UNLV cybersecurity bachelor’s and graduate programs and a professor of information systems at the Lee Business School, said in an Oct. 7 press release.
“Every single industry has this [cybersecurity] need right now,” Moody said. “There is not a single company or a single industry that does not rely upon data stored in a computing device and the transmission of that data. It’s only becoming more and more embedded into how we do things.”
The new online degree was developed jointly between UNLV’s Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering and Lee Business School. The two schools already jointly offer a master’s degree in cybersecurity.
According to the press release, the curriculum is fully online and emphasizes perimeter security, wireless networks, digital forensics and incident response, and secure software design. It also addresses artificial intelligence and machine learning, plus operational technology tied to critical infrastructure.
“The interdisciplinary nature of the program makes our students well-rounded cybersecurity experts,” said Juyeon Jo, professor of computer science and director of the UNLV Cybersecurity Center, a National Center of Academic Excellence. “They can operate at the intersection of technology and business. And, our unique program model places a strong focus on integrating AI in cybersecurity applications.”
The program aligns with macro trends: The press release notes that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 29% job increase in cybersecurity through 2034. Additionally, it says there are more than 500,000 cybersecurity job openings across the United States, according to Cyber Seek.
“Our graduates are prepared to address today’s risk and tomorrow’s challenges,” Jo added.
