CAE Designation Descriptions
Academic institutions may choose from three designations. The designation process is a combination of elements related to the institution focused on outputs for determining academic achievement. This combination assures that the institution meets the desired characteristics of a CAE institution, and that the academic delivery to students is producing the qualified workforce needed by the nation.
CAE designated institutions must complete validation of a Program of Study (PoS) which is a series of courses and experiences that a student can reasonably accomplish in the course of attaining a degree or completing a certificate.
- The Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) designation is awarded to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and/or certificates at the Associates, Bachelors and graduate levels.
- The Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) program is a deeply technical, inter-disciplinary, higher education program firmly grounded in the computer science, computer engineering, and/or electrical engineering disciplines, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs and exercises.
- The Cyber Research (CAE-R) designation is awarded to DoD schools, PhD producing military academies, or regionally accredited, degree granting four-year institutions rated by the Carnegie Foundation Basic Classification system as either a Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity (R1), Doctoral University – Higher Research Activity (R2), or Doctoral University – Moderate Research Activity (R3).
CAE-CDE Program Eligibility and Summary
The Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) designation is awarded to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and/or certificates at the Associates, Bachelors and graduate levels.
The CAE-CDE Program is open to current regionally accredited:
- Four-year Colleges
- Graduate-level Universities
- Two-year Community Colleges
- Technical Schools
- State or Federally Endorsed Cybersecurity Training Centers
- U.S. Government Cybersecurity Training Centers
CAE-CO Program Eligibility and Summary
The Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) program is a deeply technical, inter-disciplinary, higher education program firmly grounded in the computer science, computer engineering, and/or electrical engineering disciplines, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs and exercises.
The CAE-CO Program is open to current regionally accredited:
- Four-year Colleges
- Graduate-level Universities
- Must be based within a Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering Department, or a degree program of equivalent Technical Depth, or a Collaboration between Two or more of these Departments
CAE-R Program Eligibility and Summary
The Cyber Research (CAE-R) designation is awarded to DoD schools, PhD producing military academies, or regionally accredited, degree granting four-year institutions rated by the Carnegie Foundation Basic Classification system as either a Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity (R1), Doctoral University – Higher Research Activity (R2), or Doctoral University – Moderate Research Activity (R3).
The CAE-R Program is open to current:
- Department of Defense (DoD) schools
- Ph.D. producing military academies
- Regionally accredited, degree granting four-year institutions rated by the Carnegie Foundation Basic Classification system as either:
- Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity (R1),
- Doctoral University – Higher Research Activity (R2), or
- Doctoral University – Moderate Research Activity (R3)