Letter of Notification (LON) Policy A1.0 New Academic Programs: Approval Process

Institution: University of Tennessee, Chattanooga Proposed Academic Program: Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity Proposed Implementation Date: May 2022 CIP 2020 Code: 11.1003 CIP Code Title and Definition: Computer and Information Systems Security A program that prepares individuals to assess the security needs of computer and network systems, recommend safeguard solutions, and manage the implementation and maintenance of security devices, systems, and procedures. Includes instruction in computer architecture, programming, and systems analysis; networking; telecommunications; cryptography; security system design; applicable law and regulations; risk assessment and policy analysis; contingency planning; user access issues; investigation techniques; and troubleshooting.

LON Submission Date:

Posted Date on THEC Website

Public Comment Period

June 25, 2021

June 28, 2021

June 28, 2021-July 12, 2021

Letter of Notification Checklist

THEC Academic Policy 1.0 (Section 1.0.6A) Letter of Notification Requirements:

Letter of Support from the President/Chancellor signifying institutionalgoverning board or system office support for development;

Program name, degree designation and CIP code; Proposed implementation date; Academic Program Liaison (APL) name and contact information; Purpose and Nature of Program; Alignment with state master plan and institutional mission; Feasibility Study; Program Costs/Revenues; and Existing programs offered at public and private Tennessee institutions.

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Letter of Notification (LON) Institution: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College: College of Engineering and Computer Science Department: Department of Computer Science and Engineering Title of Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology in

Cybersecurity Formal Degree Abbreviation: BAS-ITCyS CIP/THEC Code: 11.1003 CIP Code Title: Computer and Information Systems Security Proposed UT BOT Approval: February 2022

Proposed THEC Approval: May 2022

First Student Enrolled: Fall 2022

Academic Program Liaisons: Karen Etzkorn, Director of Academic Affairs 711-F Andy Holt Tower University of Tennessee System, 37996 Phone number: 865-974-2104 Email: etzkorn@tennessee.edu

Luay Wahsheh, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering EMCS 313-D, Dept. 2302

615 McCallie Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37403 Phone number: 423-425-4349 Email: luay-a-wahsheh@utc.edu

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Table of Contents

UT System Transmittal Letter ........................................................................................................ 3

UTC Chancellor Letter of Support ................................................................................................. 4

Background and Nature of the Program ......................................................................................... 5

Alignment with State Master Plan and Institutional Mission ....................................................... 10

Institutional Capacity for Program Delivery ................................................................................. 12

Existing Programs in Tennessee ................................................................................................... 14

Feasibility Study ........................................................................................................................... 15

Program Costs and Revenues........................................................................................................ 20

Appendix A: THEC Financial Projection Form ........................................................................... 22

Appendix B: Letters of Support .................................................................................................... 25

Appendix C: Student Surveys ....................................................................................................... 36

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UT System Transmittal Letter

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UTC Chancellor Letter of Support

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Background and Nature of the Program

Background and Purpose The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) seeks to develop a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree program in Information Technology (IT) in Cybersecurity. The proposed degree would fall under CIP category 11.1003 – Computer and Information Systems Security. The projected start date for the first class is Fall 2022. Target audiences for the BAS degree include:

• Individuals who have already completed their general education and introductory science courses;

• Applicants with an Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree1;

• First-year students entering the BAS-ITCyS program from high school;

• Students transferring from a 4-year institution; and,

• Working adults seeking to transition their careers to the IT field. Over the years, the department has received frequent requests from our industry partners, advisory board members, and Greater Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce representatives to develop an IT degree program to meet the growing needs of the IT workforce in the region. Recently, with the emerging technologies in multiple areas such as data analytics, smart grid, smart city and infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), advanced manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles, to name a few, the gap between the needs of IT trained workers and the number of qualified individuals in the greater Chattanooga area continues to grow. In addition, statewide and national needs for trained IT individuals are also high currently and expected to increase. The proposed program responds to the growing needs of IT-trained individuals in the region, the state, and the nation. Significant benefits from the program are that it will support our community and will address the educational reforms outlined by the Complete College Tennessee Act of 2010, including:

• Increasing the number of highly skilled and prepared workers for future economic development and investment in the community (workforce development, economic investment & growth);

• Increasing the persistence of community college students who complete an Associate of Science or Applied Science degree to pursue a four-year degree (retention & graduation); and,

1 An Associate of Science (AS) degree is designed to prepare students who intend to transfer to a university to complete a baccalaureate degree. An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree traditionally has been designed to prepare students who intend to enter the workforce after graduation or prepare for applied degree programs. However, the BAS degree will seamlessly integrate students with both associate degree types. There will be no significant curriculum difference in admitting students for the BAS degree.

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• Increasing the number of citizens with a baccalaureate degree in southeast Tennessee (educational attainment)

• Advancing the University’s position in providing a baccalaureate pathway for our large and diverse population of nontraditional students (access)

The proposed program will also play an essential role in providing an additional pathway for secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) students to an associate of science or an applied science degree with an option to matriculate into a BAS program that leads to a high-growth career in Greater Chattanooga.

“According to CyberSeek, an initiative funded by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the United States faced a shortfall of almost 314,000 cybersecurity professionals as of January 2019. [For] context, the country’s total employed cybersecurity workforce is just 716,000.”

The Cybersecurity Workforce Gap; January 29, 2019, by William Crumpler and Andrew Lewis from Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“The jobs heat map is updated periodically and currently reflects that as of November 2019, there are 504,316 open jobs in cybersecurity across the United States. It further indicates that there are 997,058 individuals employed in cybersecurity…there are 8,760 open cybersecurity jobs in Michigan, 5,603 in Tennessee, and 4,533 in Indiana.”

Rodney Petersen, Director of National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education at National Institute of Standards and Technology, during the hearing of United States of House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology on February 11, 2020. This BAS initiative responds to local and regional healthcare and manufacturing industries’ requests to offer an advanced Information Technology in Cybersecurity degree. It would be the third Tennessee institution2 to offer a bachelor’s degree under this CIP code (11.1003 Computer and Information Systems Security/ Computer and Information Systems Security/ Auditing/ Information Assurance3), following UT Martin and Lipscomb University in Nashville. UT Martin and Lipscomb operate outside the Southeast Tennessee region, and Lipscomb is a private university with significantly higher tuition and fees than UTC. The proposed program is unique because, while UT Martin and Lipscomb will award a BS degree in cybersecurity and information security, respectively, we plan to offer a BAS degree in information technology with an emphasis on cybersecurity, a program heavily leaning on hands-on learning experience. No Tennessee institutions currently offer a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology in Cybersecurity. Thus, the proposed program fills a niche need in the state and region.

2 We are aware that UT Martin is currently in the development stages of a new BS in Cybersecurity. Specifically, we have engaged in discussions with them about the proposed program and have obtained a letter of support from their Department Chair. 3 The name of this CIP code has changed between the 2010 (first) and 2020 (second) descriptions listed.

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The program is designed to meet the Information Technology and Cybersecurity workforce needs of area business and industry in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. It is a continuation of the decades-long and robust training relationship we have had with our corporate partners. Additionally, the program is transformative in its methodology, combining the best didactics and training models into a career-focused, advanced technology educational program with students spending over 20 hours a week of intensive internship at the workplace of industry partners. Finally, our Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) provided leadership in the development of this proposal. Letters of support from community leaders are provided in Appendix B. Nature of the Program The proposed BAS ITCyS program utilizes an innovative program structure designed to maximize student learning opportunities in workplace settings and quickly move students from the program to the workforce. Full-time students with completed general education and introductory science courses are admitted to this program, made of six terms of intense learning year-round. Given the program’s unique accelerated nature, courses will be offered during Terms I and II in Fall, Spring, and Summer, allowing students to complete the required courses in one year. For a student starting in Fall, he or she will complete the first two terms in Fall, two in Spring, and the last two terms during Summer. Each term in Fall and Spring will last seven weeks. Each term in Summer will last six weeks. Partial term course structure already exists at UTC and is utilized in other degree programs. The use of these shorter terms allows students to enter the program on a rolling basis and complete the program of study within one calendar year, accelerating the speed with which they can enter the workforce. Two cohorts will start at the beginning of the Fall and Spring terms for the first two years. Beginning in the program's third year, students can enroll in the program during the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. For the first two years, the total number of students entering the program will be 30 annually (two cohorts, 15 students per cohort). From year 3, the total number of students entering the program each year will be 60 (3 cohorts, 20 students per cohort). The enrollment schedule will allow sufficient time for the program to grow over two years to reach the desired number of students in each cohort of 20, a number desired for small classes with active interactions between each student and faculty.

The BAS-ITCyS program also integrates a 2 + 1 degree pathway. This approach will enable students to start their education at a community college and transfer to the proposed program after completing a relevant Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students with a relevant AS or AAS degree can potentially graduate in one year from the program. Transfer students will transfer 60-65 credit hours and take additional 60-62 hours at UTC to complete the program requirement of 122 hours. Due to the program's accelerated nature, all courses students take are designed with a shorter duration and would not be allowed to take regular semester-long courses while they are in the program. During each term, a student will enroll in three to four upper-level courses. A student in the BAS-ITCyS program must take the courses that are a part of the program. Monday through Friday, students take courses in the morning and then spend the afternoon at a company as part of his or her internship program. This structure is not available in regular-term courses. At any point in the program, if a student desires to transfer out of the program, the credit hours completed in the program will transfer to a regular four-year program according to the description specified in the Institutional Capacity for Program Delivery section. While the primary target group is transfer students holding an AAS degree, the program

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has developed on-ramps for other student groups, including first-year students entering from high school.

The proposed BAS program will provide an innovative, interdisciplinary information technology education involving computer systems, networking, and electrical/electronic engineering technologies. As an academic quality control measure, the program will seek accreditation via the Computer Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (CAC-ABET) in 2023, once the program produces graduates. In information technology and cybersecurity, the various fields of computer science and equipment are often intimately intertwined. Therefore, the program is designed so that its graduates will demonstrate mastery to program, operate, test, maintain, and analyze complex computer systems along with associated equipment following appropriate safety, health, and environmental considerations and regulations. The program of study is designed to ensure graduates achieve the following educational objectives. Students will:

• Act as responsible and ethical professionals and leaders in Information Technology and Cybersecurity or closely related disciplines;

• Function effectively in inclusive, multidisciplinary environments and adapt to various environments; and

• Participate in further knowledge-building opportunities. Graduates of the degree will meet the following six ABET - CAC student learning outcomes. Specifically, students will:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions;

2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline;

3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts; 4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing

practice based on legal and ethical principles; 5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate

to the program’s discipline; and 6. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks

and threats. An innovative approach was employed in developing the curriculum to meet the educational objectives for the program. The BAS-ITCyS is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program of study. All four disciplines are crucial to Chattanooga's economic and workforce needs, including our surrounding communities. Critical design requirements and body

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of knowledge considerations for the curriculum led to the following actions and program requirements. We:

1. Conducted gap analysis to determine the missing educational and technological competencies needed to achieve the desired outcomes;

2. Designed the curriculum to provide a balance between the theoretical and application aspects of learning by embedding intensive internship experiences at the sites of industry partners as part of the program;

3. Developed assessments and learning measurements for demonstration of skills; mastery of skills over threshold levels of proficiency is required;

4. Will require students to demonstrate their abilities in workplace settings (be work-ready);

5. Will elevate the minimum acceptable level of skills attainment to 85% or higher (letter grade “A” or “B”) in the course level grading scheme;

6. Will prepare students for advanced industry-recognized certifications (e.g., Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NCSF); and

7. Will ensure flexibility with the curriculum to adjust for changes within the industry (remain responsive).

An overarching theme related to the program development is student success by mastering workplace knowledge, skills, attitude, and competencies. The College of Engineering and Computer Science at UTC has trained students and assessed their workplace readiness skills, including an emphasis on accountability, professional behavior, and teamwork for many years. In response to the type of IT workforce needed in the greater Chattanooga area and the state of Tennessee, the BAS program will focus on producing graduates proficient in programming, testing, and maintaining computer systems with hands-on experiences. To do so, we plan to work with local companies4 to partner in executing the intensive internship portion of the program. Each company commits to hosting up to four student interns in IT or related areas at their company sites throughout the academic year. Students will be able to take courses online, hybrid, or face-to-face. Students who cannot take a full course load will have an option to extend the program period beyond one year by taking advantage of the three program starting points, starting in the program's third year. Projected enrollments and graduates appear in Table 1.

4 The companies include Electric Power Board, Tennessee Valley Authority, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, BASF Corporation, Miller Industries, US Express, Miller Industries, Tennessee Rand, Unum and others, with a number of companies already committed to host onsite interns in their annual operating budgets.

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Table 1. Estimated Enrollment

Year Term 1

Full-Time Headcount

Term 2 Full-Time Headcount

Term 3 Full-Time Headcount

Term 4 Full-Time Headcount

Term 5 Full-Time Headcount

Term 6 Full-Time Headcount

Graduates (assuming a graduation

rate of 75%)

1 (2022-2023)

15 15 30 30 30 30 11

2 (2023-2024)

30 30 30 30 30 30 22

3 (2024-2025)

35 35 55 55 60 60 26

4 (2025-2026)

60 60 60 60 60 60 45

5 (2026-2027)

60 60 60 60 60 60 45

Alignment with State Master Plan and Institutional Mission

State Master Plan The Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s (THEC) 2015-2025 State Master Plan and the Complete College Tennessee Act 2010 mandate that universities focus on “educational attainment and increased degree production, taking into consideration Tennessee’s economic development, workforce development, and research needs” (THEC, 2015). The Master Plan update in 2020 presents “tactical strategies to support Tennessee’s students and institutions toward greater success and improved workforce alignment, while continuing to focus on increasing the state’s educational attainment” (THEC, Enabling the Competitive Edge: Tennessee Higher Education in the New Economy, Master Plan Update 2020). This Competitive Edge update outlines tactical practices for higher education “to improve student success, increase families’ prosperity, and prepare for Tennessee’s economy in the next decade and beyond.”

Per the THEC Master Plan, partnerships for educational excellence and meeting the needs of Tennessee’s future economy will be supported by this BAS degree. Faculty and students will collaborate with local industry partners by creating a new educational path for developing knowledge and research through an intense and collaborative intensive internship program to impact the community directly. The proposed Information Technology in Cybersecurity BAS degree is designed to address the skills needed for individuals within the technical field interested in advancing their careers with a 2 + 1 degree program. In response to the type of IT workforce needed in the greater Chattanooga area and the state of Tennessee, the BAS program is focused on producing graduates who are proficient in programming, testing, and maintaining computer systems with hands-on experiences.

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The University of Tennessee Institutional Mission and Visions The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a driving force for achieving excellence by actively engaging students, faculty, and staff; embracing diversity and inclusion; inspiring positive change; and enriching and sustaining our community. In fulfilling its mission, UTC is dedicated to five core values:

1. Students are the primary reason we exist as an institution 2. We live integrity, civility, and honesty 3. We relentlessly pursue excellence 4. We embrace diversity and inclusion 5. Creativity, inquiry, and scholarship are our culture

To the institutional mission, the UTC strategic plan follows a pledge handed down from generation to generation — “We shall achieve.” This simple yet bold statement tells the world what to expect from the UTC campus. Much emphasis is placed, appropriately so, on the achievement element of this phrase. Equally important, however, is the subject “we” – the notion that we can do more by working together than by working separately. The College of Engineering and Computer Science at UTC has partnerships with local and regional businesses. Many of them, including Tennessee Valley Authority, Electric Power Board, Unum, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, BASF Corporation, Miller Industries, Tennessee Rand, and others, fully support this new BAS program, which will help to increase the number of 4-year college graduates among those who currently hold AS and AAS degrees. Faculty intentionally align program courses with community-based participatory projects and research to provide students with opportunities to merge theory and practice. Strategic planning must build upon a legacy of achievement and combine with a commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and service. A vital, continuous process contributes to the future success of the University.

The main strategic goals from UTC’s plan are to:

1. Transform lives through meaningful learning experiences for students 2. Inspire, nurture and empower scholarship, creativity, discovery, innovation, and

entrepreneurial initiatives for students 3. Ensure stewardship of resources through strategic alignment and investments 4. Embrace diversity and inclusion as a path to excellence and societal change within the

university’s surrounding community

Within each of these goals, a series of measurable action steps have been developed. The university leadership team, faculty, staff, students, community stakeholders, and community members collaborate to cultivate best practices that will better serve the growing workforce needs of citizens of the greater Chattanooga region.

The BAS in ITCyS degree would further this mission through its community partnerships and a focus on technical revitalization. Like UTC’s Core Values, the Computer Science and Engineering

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Department is committed—through the BAS degree—to developing ethically and socially responsible leaders within the regional industry; creating a supportive, collegial learning environment for those who seek knowledge; building effective community partnerships; and achieving national recognition through research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.

The proposed degree program responds to and will influence the future landscape of both the information technology and cybersecurity fields by addressing needed workforce and technology issues. In offering an academic program in a technical area undergoing significant change, the proposed program aligns closely with UTC’s responsibility to develop cutting-edge academic offerings, build and participate in strategic partnerships, and become deeply involved in the community. Institutional Capacity for Program Delivery

The BAS-ITCyS program will be located in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) within the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at UTC. The CSE Department Head will serve as the Program Coordinator and have immediate responsibility for administering the program. The BS in Computer Science is a related undergraduate program at UTC that provides facility support, including laboratory resources and faculty resources related to this newly proposed degree program. Support and resources include faculty, curricular, and laboratory resources that are already in place.

UTC currently has articulation agreements with Chattanooga State Community College and Cleveland State Community College for students with AS or AAS degrees to transfer to the BS and BAS engineering and computer science programs. Upon approval, these agreements will be expanded to include the proposed BAS-ITCyS program1. The possibility of an AS or AAS degree path to a relevant and locally available BAS program in IT was enthusiastically received by local industries. Letters of support from community leaders, including EPB, TVA, Miller Industries, McKee Foods Corporation, and Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, are provided in Appendix B. The college expects that the proposed program will attract transfer students from other two-year and four-year colleges. The college either already has streamlined general transfer agreements for students with AA or AAS degrees or ones with general education requirements completed to pursue one of eight undergraduate programs at the college or is currently developing them with various colleges and universities. Schools with an articulation agreement in place include:

• Dalton State College

• Chattanooga State Community College

• Cleveland State Community College

• Motlow State Community College

• Enterprise State Community College

• Covenant College

• Lee University

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Matriculation agreements are currently being developed with Pellissippi State Community College, Nashville State Community College, Volunteer State Community College, Roane State Community College, and Columbia State Community College. These agreements create pathways for graduates to matriculate into Engineering and Computer Science programs at UTC. These agreements are currently undergoing final legal reviews at UTC and the respective two-year college partners. We anticipate executing these agreements before the start date of the proposed program. We expect minimal impact of the proposed program on existing programs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. However, it is possible that a few students who start at UTC in an engineering or computer science program and later discover an interest in Information Technology/Cybersecurity may switch to the BAS-ITCyS program due to its accelerated nature. Additionally, AS and AAS graduates in the workplace will likely be interested in pursuing their BAS degree as soon as this new program is offered at UTC. UTC and the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) have robust student support to assist and advise students. The CECS Student Success Center5 oversees course selection and sequencing guidance, academic support, and workforce development opportunities by pairing students to professional and faculty advisors, connecting students to peer-to-peer tutoring opportunities, and leveraging strong partnerships between UTC, CECS, and over 500 local, regional, and national organizations to arrange job/internship opportunities. Students enrolling in the BAS-ITCyS program will be assigned a faculty advisor based on common specialties and interests whenever possible. Faculty advisors, who come from the program’s department, provide tailored career and academic guidance to ensure the students matriculate through the program. Given the accelerated nature of the BAS-ITCyS program, students will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students also have access to the CECS Professional Advisors, who are highly knowledgeable about the respective engineering and computer science curricular, internship opportunities, professional societies, etc. The advisors help direct students to the academic, professional, and social supports that match their needs. However, all program faculty are available for questions regarding career guidance and advice or other problems that may arise at any time. All computer and other technical support for faculty and staff offices, classrooms, and labs are provided by the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s own dedicated technical support staff. This team offers solutions for both hardware and software issues of computers and servers used in delivering the program. They also provide technical support to instructors and students in maintaining and troubleshooting classroom computers and equipment, access to files and application software on servers and cloud computing resources, assistance in troubleshooting hardware and software issues of mobile computers used by students and faculty. Students have access to the UTC Information Technology Division’s help desk and related technical support services, which provide general, university-wide technical support for the use of computers and electronic devices.

5 https://new.utc.edu/engineering-and-computer-science/center-for-student-success

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Existing Programs in Tennessee

The only Tennessee institution offering a bachelor’s degree under this CIP code (11.1003 Computer and Information Systems Security/Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance) is Lipscomb University in Nashville. We are including the University of Tennessee at Martin, although this program will not likely receive approval until July 2021. More information about Lipscomb’s program and degree production is included in Table 2. Table 2. Similar Program at Other Tennessee Institution6

Institution Name

Program Title and Degree Designation

CIP Code

Description / Focus of Program

Miles from UTC Campus

2019 Tuition & Fees

Degrees 2017-2019

Lipscomb University

BS Information Security

11.1003 Broad program with concentrations in Computer Systems; Game Development; Information Technology Entrepreneurship; Mobile Computing; System Administration; Web Application Development

133 $33,424 6

The University of Tennessee at Martin

BS Cybersecurity (proposed)

11.1003 Broad program with no concentrations

280 n/a n/a

The University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) proposed a BS program in cybersecurity. UTC engaged in conversations with UTM regarding their proposed program and determined that UTM’s program has a different focus and fulfills different regional needs. The letter demonstrating support from UTM appears in Appendix B.

6 Data from Emsi using IPEDS submissions.

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Feasibility Study

Student Interest for the Proposed Academic Program

A bulk of transfer students will be from nearby Chattanooga State Community College and Cleveland State Community College. Tables 3 and 4 show recent enrollments and graduates from relevant AS and AAS degree programs at Chattanooga State (Table 3) and Cleveland State (Table 4). Table 3. Chattanooga State Engineering & Information Technologies Division Enrollments and Graduates

Table 4. Cleveland State Community College Enrollments and Graduates7

7 Source: Data from Cleveland State Community College factbook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xILrDm2kCCLPQOpoWaOWtGuDaHwgUyLT/view

Enrollment (Fall Term) 2016 2017 2018 2019 Computer Systems 134 133 128 128 Engineering Systems Technology 130 125 140 118

TOTAL 264 258 268 246 Graduates Computer Information Technology - 2 26 26 Engineering Systems Technology 31 41 28 37

TOTAL 31 43 54 63

Enrollment 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Advanced Technologies: Computer Information Technology (AAS) 67 60 51 78 74

Business: Computer and Info. Systems (AAS) 32 14 8 8 9 Electrical Engineering Technology (AAS) - - 10 41 39

TOTAL 99 74 69 127 122 Graduates Advanced Technologies: Computer Information Technology (AAS) 5 11 8 5 -

Business: Computer and Info. Systems (AAS) 2 3 6 2 1 Electrical Engineering Technology (AAS) - - - - 6

TOTAL 7 14 14 7 7

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Students were surveyed at Chattanooga State and Cleveland State to determine their interest in the proposed program; survey results are included in Appendix C. At Chattanooga State, about 30% of survey respondents (29 of 99 students) indicated they were very interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree at UTC in Information Technology if a 2 + 1 transfer pathway existed, and another 44% of the students (44 of 99 students) indicated they were somewhat interested. Only about 26% of the students (26 of 99 students) indicated they were not interested. At Cleveland State, about 33% of students (23 of 70 students) indicated they were very interested in enrolling in the proposed program in response to the survey; 47% percent of the students (33 of 70 students) indicated they were somewhat interested; and 20% (14 of 70 students) indicated they were not interested. UTC is the top student transfer institution for both Chattanooga State and Cleveland State. On average, 7 to 8 students annually (data from AY 2016 through AY 2018) transfer from Cleveland State Community College to the College of Engineering and Computer Science at UTC. The average number of transfer students above is before a customized transfer agreement between Cleveland State Community College and the College of Engineering and Computer Science at UTC was put in place. As a result, we expect a higher number of transfer students will be part of UTC. Local and Regional Need/Demand

Technological advancements in health, energy, automotive, manufacturing, and other industries in the Greater Chattanooga economic region have significantly expanded the need for IT and cybersecurity personnel. These individuals must fill roles to protect, manage, maintain, and operate core infrastructure and manage sophisticated equipment and processes beyond the existing capabilities. The number of available positions in the field right now reflects the lack of information technology and cybersecurity workforce in the nation. A highly qualified information technology workforce is becoming essential to all sectors of society as the gap between available personnel and the needs of industry, business, organizations, and government widens. Regional businesses and industry partners Erlanger Health System, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Unum, and Volkswagen have expressed a strong need for IT personnel to fill critical positions within their companies, among other local employers. An analysis8 of job postings for the last two years (March 2019 – March 2021) in Tennessee for the six occupations aligned to the proposed program9 at these four companies was conducted. There is clear evidence that these companies have employment needs aligned to this program in significant numbers. The analysis shows that 233 unique jobs were posted in these two years, including the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those jobs were across all occupations, but the occupations with the highest numbers of job postings were: Computer and Information Systems Managers (102), Information Security Analysts (64), and Network and Computer Systems Administrators (55). Jobs were almost exclusively concentrated in the Chattanooga region. Please see Appendix B for letters of support from local employers.

8 Data used in the analysis is from the Emsi Q1 2021 Data Set. 9 The six occupations are: Computer and Information Systems Managers; Computer Network Architects; Computer Network Support Specialists; Database Administrators and Architects; Information Security Analysts; Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

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Many current information technology professions in the health care industry, automotive, and manufacturing require skill sets to protect the company assets and prevent disruptions with formal training from an accredited educational institution. Professionals skilled in this area have been identified as a critical need by industry. According to IT trade group CompTIA10, U.S. employers had about 918,000 unfilled IT jobs in only three months (July-September) of 2019. Many IT positions will continue to go unfilled in the United States if we rely on existing computer science or related programs to meet this growing need. Table 5 shows IT-related occupations as having the most significant shortages of candidates according to the TN Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development Workforce Insights, Research & Reporting Engine Division, July 201911. Table 5. Top Occupations with the Greatest Shortages of Candidates

Occupational Title Candidates Openings Candidates per Openings

Shortage of Candidates

Computer Programmers 69 679 0.10 610 Computer User Support Specialists 409 906 0.45 497 Software Developers, Applications 106 506 0.21 400 Computer Systems Analysts 173 571 0.30 398 Software Developers, System Software

26 273 0.10 247

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

166 395 0.42 229

Database Administrators 54 144 0.38 90 Computer and Information Research Scientists

21 96 0.22 75

Information Security Analysts 52 117 0.44 65 Computer Hardware Engineers 28 85 0.33 57

The proposed program is suitable for this region’s adult students who hold an AS or AAS degree, allowing the greater Chattanooga area to develop a local and technically skilled workforce. Program graduates will learn about the major concepts, principles, and techniques necessary to pursue managerial-level positions in their chosen technical field. Key findings from a labor market analysis that UTC conducted in October 2020 for CIP Code 11.1003 Computer and Information Systems Security / Computer and Information Systems Security/ Auditing/ Information Assurance include the following (more information about this labor market analysis is provided in the subsection titled “Existing Programs in Tennessee”):

1. There is only one similar established program to the proposed program. It is located outside the Southeast Tennessee region at a private university with significantly higher tuition and fees than UTC.

10 https://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-got-talent-just-not-enough-in-it-11571168626 11 https://www.jobs4tn.gov/admin/gsipub/htmlarea/uploads/LMI/Publications/STEMReport2019Updated.pdf

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2. There are six occupational matches to the proposed program. Recent job postings in the Chattanooga area for the closest occupational match, Information Security Analysts, show that job titles and top skills sought are oriented to Cybersecurity. However, local workforce employment profiles show that only 21% of the Greater Chattanooga area talent possesses these skills.

3. As of 2019, job market demand outpaces degree production for the occupations aligned to this program in Tennessee and Chattanooga.

4. These occupations are projected to grow through 2026 and beyond in Tennessee and Chattanooga, many outpacing the labor market. Projected growth rates are highest for the closest occupational match to the proposed program – 40% in Chattanooga through 2030.

Employer Need/Demand and Future Sustainable Need

Occupational Matches

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) identifies six occupational matches for this CIP code, listed in Table 6. Of these occupations, the two indicated with an asterisk in Table 6 were independently identified as high-demand for the Chattanooga region in an independent analysis commissioned as part of the Chattanooga Climbs initiative spearheaded by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. The proposed program’s closest occupational match, Information Security Analysts, was identified as a high-demand program for Tennessee’s Southeast region in the 2021 THEC Academic Supply and Occupational Demand report12. Table 6. Occupational Matches for the Proposed Program13

Occupation Typical Entry-Level Education Median Hourly Salary

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Bachelor’s degree, sometimes graduate degree

$70.37

Computer Network Architects Bachelor’s degree $54.18 Computer Network Support Specialists Bachelor’s or associate’s degree depending

on the position $26.33

Database Administrators and Architects

Bachelor’s degree $45.07

Information Security Analysts* Bachelor’s degree, sometimes MBA in Information Systems

$47.95

Network and Computer Systems Administrators*

Bachelor’s degree, sometimes associate’s degree

$40.15

*Of these occupational matches, the closest fit to the proposed program is the Information Security Analyst occupation. The top five most frequent job titles listed in job postings in the Chattanooga Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) are (1) Cybersecurity Engineers; (2) Cybersecurity Analysts; (3) Cybersecurity Specialists; (4) Cloud Security Specialists; (5) Principal Cybersecurity Engineers.

12 https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/thec/research/supply-and-demand.html 13 Entry level education and U.S. median salary information are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Given the ubiquity of cybersecurity job titles, the top hard skill in job postings for this occupation is Cybersecurity, appearing in 56% of job postings. The proposed program addresses the needs by training students with cybersecurity skills; the next highest-demand skill, Computer Science, only appears in 33% of postings. While most job postings in this occupation over the last year require hard skills in Cybersecurity, only 21% of local workforce profiles on sites like LinkedIn reflect these skills.14 This supply and demand mismatch around Cybersecurity skills demonstrates the need for this program. Recent Job Openings and Degree Production Between 2018 and 2019, the annual openings for the occupations aligned with the proposed program outpaced degree production in Tennessee and Chattanooga, as shown in Table 8. While Table 7 shows degree production of all types, each occupation typically requires a bachelor’s degree. Table 7. Recent Openings and Degree Production15

Occupations Tennessee Chattanooga MSA Openings Degrees Ratio Openings Degrees Ratio

Computer and Information Systems Managers; Information Security Analysts; Computer Network Support Specialists; Computer Network Architects; Network and Computer Systems Administrators; Database Administrators and Architects

3,487 1,878 54% 165 122 74%

Note: MSA= Metropolitan Statistical Area Projected Growth

The occupations aligned to this program are projected to grow at much faster rates than the labor market. Table 8 shows projected growth and anticipated new jobs from 2020 to 2026, or four to five years after starting the proposed program, and through 2030.

14 Data on top job titles and hard skills in Information Security Analyst job postings for the Chattanooga MSA between September 2019 and September 2020 from Emsi 2020 Q4 dataset. 15 Data on annual openings and degree production shows data from Emsi on annual openings data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2018-2019 and degree production data from IPEDS for 2019.

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Table 8. Projected Job Growth through 2026 and 203016

Occupation Tennessee Chattanooga MSA New Jobs 2026

Growth Rate to 2026

Growth Rate to 2030

New Jobs 2026

Growth Rate to 2026

Growth Rate to 2030

Computer and Information Systems Managers 832 12% 16% 85 21% 27%

Information Security Analysts 450 23% 33% 37 29% 40% Computer Network Support Specialists 208 5% 7% 19 12% 16%

Computer Network Architects 154 7% 9% 5 4% 5% Network and Computer Systems Administrators 409 8% 10% 31 9% 11%

Database Administrators and Architects 197 10% 14% 16 11% 14%

Six Aligned Occupations 2,248 10% 14% 194 15% 19% While all occupations are projected to grow through 2026 and 2030, the Information Security Analyst occupation, the top occupational match for the program, has the highest projected growth rates in Tennessee and Chattanooga. Growth rates are projected to be higher in Chattanooga than in the rest of Tennessee.

Program Costs and Revenues

Operating Expenses The THEC Financial Projection Form is provided in Appendix A. Space and Facilities Except for six office spaces, no new classroom or laboratory space needs are anticipated to start the program. The recent move by the Mathematics Department from the college building resulted in approximately 4,800 square feet of additional space for the college and the BAS-ITCyS program. While not all of the freed space will be designated specifically for use by the BAS-ITCyS program, the additional labs, conference space, and office space will be available for the program. We are confident that UTC has the capacity and flexibility to accommodate the students in the BAS-ITCyS program as it grows over the coming years. Equipment The program will require $100,000 for computing and networking equipment to establish a dedicated ITCyS teaching laboratory and a separate computer network to teach protection tools from hackers.

16 Data from Emsi 2020 Q4 dataset

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Library The program will require a one-time $10,000 to update library resources to serve Information Technology and Cybersecurity students and faculty as part of this proposal. Personnel Faculty: six full-time faculty members will be responsible for the program, with each member delivering three to four courses per term. At the start of the third year, the Program Director will be hired. Administrative Staff: new staff will be required to support students, including part-time clerical, technical, and recruitment staff members. Operating The program will require a $45,000 operating budget for the first two years and a $76,000 operating budget annually starting year three of the program. Revenues

The required THEC Financial Projection Form (Appendix A) includes the projected revenue and expenses for the first five years of the new BAS-ITCyS program. Tuition and fee increases are expected to meet or exceed program needs starting year four of the program. Cost and income estimates in this proposal are based on in-state tuition projections. However, because UTC has been an attractive institution for nearby out-of-state residents, revenues from out-of-state students will likely result in revenues that exceed expenses. The revenue generated by the program will be reinvested in the program in the form of additional faculty, staff, and state-of-the-art computer equipment. Revenues will also be used to expand the program’s student services and grow the intensive internship program to include companies without means to host students, providing an opportunity for local companies to make a positive economic impact.

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Appendix A: THEC Financial Projection Form

Five-year projections are required for baccalaureate and Master's degree programs

Planning year projections are not required but should be included when appropriate.

Planning Year Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5I. Expenditures 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27

A. One-time ExpendituresNew/Renovated Space1 -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Equipment - 50,000 - 50,000 - - Library - 10,000 - - - Consultants - - - - - - Travel - - - - - - Other - - - - - - Sub-Total One-time -$ 60,000$ -$ 50,000$ -$ -$

B. Recurring ExpendituresPersonnelAdministrationSalary -$ 120,000$ 122,400$ 124,848$ Benefits - 49,200 50,184 51,188 Sub-Total Administration -$ -$ -$ 169,200$ 172,584$ 176,036$

FacultySalary -$ 240,000$ 486,400$ 496,128$ 506,051$ 516,172$ Benefits - 98,400 199,424 203,412 207,481 211,630 Sub-Total Faculty -$ 338,400$ 685,824$ 699,540$ 713,531$ 727,802$

Support StaffSalary -$ 100,000$ 146,100$ 149,022$ 152,002$ 155,042$ Benefits - 41,000 59,901 61,099 62,321 63,567 Sub-Total Support Staff -$ 141,000$ 206,001$ 210,121$ 214,323$ 218,610$

Graduate AssistantsSalary -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Benefits - - - - - - Tuition and Fees* (See Below) - - - - - - Sub-Total Graduate Assistants -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

OperatingTravel -$ 10,000$ 10,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ Equipment - - - - - - Printing - - - - - - Other - 35,000 35,000 56,000 56,000 56,000 Sub-Total Operating -$ 45,000$ 45,000$ 76,000$ 76,000$ 76,000$

Total Recurring -$ 524,400$ 936,825$ 1,154,862$ 1,176,439$ 1,198,448$

Tennessee Higher Education CommissionAppendix A: THEC Financial Projections

University of Tennessee ChattanoogaBAS Information Technology in Cybersecurity

Three-year projections are required for associate degrees and undergraduate certificates. Projections should include cost of living increases per year.

Seven-year projections are required for doctoral programs.

THEC Financial Projection Form_May 11 21 (1)6/25/2021 Page 1 of 2

TOTAL EXPENDITURES (A + B) -$ 584,400$ 936,825$ 1,204,862$ 1,176,439$ 1,198,448$

Base Tuition and Fees Rate -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Number of Graduate Assistants - - - - -

Planning Year Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5II. RevenueTuition and Fees2 - 422,400 646,272 878,930 1,344,763 1,371,658 Institutional Reallocations3 - 12,000 140,553 25,932 (468,324) (473,210) Federal Grants4 - - - - - - Private Grants or Gifts5 - 150,000 150,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 Other6 - - - - - -

BALANCED BUDGET LINE -$ 584,400$ 936,825$ 1,204,862$ 1,176,439$ 1,198,448$

Notes:4 Faculty (2 fall and 2 spring), 1 Recruiting Staff, 1 Part-time Outreach Liason, 1 Admin Asst and 1 Tech Support (spring) Year 1

Salary projections include a 2% raise each year

First cohort of students start fall of 2022.There is a Differential Fee of $58 per credit hour.Tuition projections include a 2% increase each year.

Source of institutional reallocations is funds in the College of Engineering.

Each partnering company will contribute $20,000 ($5,000 per student) to the program annually for the apprenticeship portion of the curriculum.

(6) Provide information regarding other sources of the funding.

*If tuition and fees for Graduate Assistants are included, please provide the following information.

(1) Provide the funding source(s) for the new or renovated space.

(2) In what year is tuition and fee revenue expected to be generated? Tuition and fees include maintenance fees, out-of-state tuition, and any applicable earmarked fees for the program. Explain any differential fees.

(3) Identify the source(s) of the institutional reallocations, and grant matching requirements if applicable.

(4) Provide the source(s) of the Federal Grant including the granting department and CFDA(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) numb

(5) Provide the name of the organization(s) or individual(s) providing grant(s) or gift(s).

2 Faculty Hired Year 2 Program Director Hired Year 3

THEC Financial Projection Form_May 11 21 (1)6/25/2021 Page 2 of 2

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Appendix B: Letters of Support

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28

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30

31

32

33

34

35



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Appendix C: Student Surveys

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Five-year projections are required for baccalaureate and Master's degree programs

Planning year projections are not required but should be included when appropriate.

Planning Year Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5I. Expenditures 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27

A. One-time ExpendituresNew/Renovated Space1 -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Equipment - 50,000 - 50,000 - - Library - 10,000 - - - Consultants - - - - - - Travel - - - - - - Other - - - - - - Sub-Total One-time -$ 60,000$ -$ 50,000$ -$ -$

B. Recurring ExpendituresPersonnelAdministrationSalary -$ 120,000$ 122,400$ 124,848$ Benefits - 49,200 50,184 51,188 Sub-Total Administration -$ -$ -$ 169,200$ 172,584$ 176,036$

FacultySalary -$ 240,000$ 486,400$ 496,128$ 506,051$ 516,172$ Benefits - 98,400 199,424 203,412 207,481 211,630 Sub-Total Faculty -$ 338,400$ 685,824$ 699,540$ 713,531$ 727,802$

Support StaffSalary -$ 100,000$ 146,100$ 149,022$ 152,002$ 155,042$ Benefits - 41,000 59,901 61,099 62,321 63,567 Sub-Total Support Staff -$ 141,000$ 206,001$ 210,121$ 214,323$ 218,610$

Graduate AssistantsSalary -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Benefits - - - - - - Tuition and Fees* (See Below) - - - - - - Sub-Total Graduate Assistants -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

OperatingTravel -$ 10,000$ 10,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ 20,000$ Equipment - - - - - - Printing - - - - - - Other - 35,000 35,000 56,000 56,000 56,000 Sub-Total Operating -$ 45,000$ 45,000$ 76,000$ 76,000$ 76,000$

Total Recurring -$ 524,400$ 936,825$ 1,154,862$ 1,176,439$ 1,198,448$

TOTAL EXPENDITURES (A + B) -$ 584,400$ 936,825$ 1,204,862$ 1,176,439$ 1,198,448$

Tennessee Higher Education CommissionAppendix A: THEC Financial Projections

University of Tennessee ChattanoogaBAS Information Technology in Cybersecurity

Three-year projections are required for associate degrees and undergraduate certificates. Projections should include cost of living increases per year.

Seven-year projections are required for doctoral programs.

THEC Financial Projection Form_May 11 21 (1)6/28/2021 Page 1 of 2

Base Tuition and Fees Rate -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Number of Graduate Assistants - - - - -

Planning Year Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5II. RevenueTuition and Fees2 - 422,400 646,272 878,930 1,344,763 1,371,658 Institutional Reallocations3 - 12,000 140,553 25,932 (468,324) (473,210) Federal Grants4 - - - - - - Private Grants or Gifts5 - 150,000 150,000 300,000 300,000 300,000 Other6 - - - - - -

BALANCED BUDGET LINE -$ 584,400$ 936,825$ 1,204,862$ 1,176,439$ 1,198,448$

Notes:4 Faculty (2 fall and 2 spring), 1 Recruiting Staff, 1 Part-time Outreach Liason, 1 Admin Asst and 1 Tech Support (spring) Year 1

Salary projections include a 2% raise each year

First cohort of students start fall of 2022.There is a Differential Fee of $58 per credit hour.Tuition projections include a 2% increase each year.

Source of institutional reallocations is funds in the College of Engineering.

Each partnering company will contribute $20,000 ($5,000 per student) to the program annually for the apprenticeship portion of the curriculum.

(6) Provide information regarding other sources of the funding.

*If tuition and fees for Graduate Assistants are included, please provide the following information.

(1) Provide the funding source(s) for the new or renovated space.

(2) In what year is tuition and fee revenue expected to be generated? Tuition and fees include maintenance fees, out-of-state tuition, and any applicable earmarked fees for the program. Explain any differential fees.

(3) Identify the source(s) of the institutional reallocations, and grant matching requirements if applicable.

(4) Provide the source(s) of the Federal Grant including the granting department and CFDA(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) numb

(5) Provide the name of the organization(s) or individual(s) providing grant(s) or gift(s).

2 Faculty Hired Year 2 Program Director Hired Year 3

THEC Financial Projection Form_May 11 21 (1)6/28/2021 Page 2 of 2