Belmont Abbey College Adds Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing – Three New Online & Hybrid Undergraduate Programs

April 3, 2024

Belmont Abbey College Adds Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing – Three New Online & Hybrid Undergraduate Programs

Belmont, N.C. (April 3, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College announces the addition of three new online and hybrid academic programs. Focused on the digital and computer sciences, the new degrees provide students with expertise in high-demand areas where employers search for talent. The college introduces Bachelor’s Degrees in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing.

Through a strategic collaboration with Rize Education, Belmont Abbey College has expanded its program offerings to include cutting-edge online courses that prepare students for successful careers. Available in both hybrid (combining on-campus and online courses) and fully online formats, these programs provide students with a dynamic and flexible educational experience. This collaboration offers numerous benefits, including a flexible schedule, access to industry experts nationwide, and the opportunity to acquire resume-ready skills. Combined with the Abbey’s core in the liberal arts, these degrees promise a well-rounded experience that will equip students for the workforce. 

The BS in Computer Science degree offers a dynamic learning experience tailored to suit students’ diverse interests in computing. The curriculum empowers students to analyze problems using expertise in computer technology, critical thinking abilities, research proficiency, and adeptness in articulating solutions across different audiences. Project-based and portfolio-building classes will help graduates produce impressive resumes before graduation and hone skills that hiring managers demand. Potential careers with this credential include work as a Computer Programmer, Database Analyst, or Software Developer.

The BA in Cybersecurity at Belmont Abbey College prepares students with technical expertise and business acumen, positioning them for lucrative and in-demand roles in this rapidly expanding field. Dedicated to cultivating ethical leaders committed to innovation, this program aims to redefine excellence in cybersecurity education. Through inventive curriculum, hands-on experience, and a focus on ethical decision-making, this program empowers students to adapt to and mitigate emerging digital threats, safeguarding organizations and communities in an increasingly interconnected world. Graduates with a degree in Cybersecurity can join the professional world as Forensic Examiners, IT Auditors, and Security Analysts.

The BA in Digital Marketing degree, available as an online major or in-person minor, helps students develop as nimble thinkers, skilled in both the art of persuasive communication and the science of data analytics. Belmont Abbey’s program gives students a deep background in both, along with the intuition needed to blend them into an effective strategy. The program begins with core business fundamentals rooted in Catholic values and then teaches digital marketing concepts critical for today’s emerging marketers. Individuals with a BA in Digital Marketing can work in several capacities, including Advertising, E-commerce, Market Research, and Technology. 

Dr. David Williams, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Belmont Abbey College, expressed his excitement about the new academic offerings, stating, “We are thrilled to expand our program offerings to meet the evolving needs of our students and the demands of the job market. Rooted in the principles of Catholic and Benedictine education, these new academic programs will not only equip our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in high-demand fields but also instill in them a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to the world around them.”

These new programs are available starting this fall through a partnership with the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC) and Rize Education. The LCMC is a strategic partnership of private colleges and universities nationwide, collaborating with Rize Education to provide access to a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students for successful careers.

According to Kevin Harrington, CEO of Rize, “We are proud to collaborate with Belmont Abbey College in delivering high-quality online courses that prepare students for success in the most in-demand fields. Our partnership will give students the tools they need to thrive in the rapidly evolving job market.”

Belmont Abbey College remains committed to providing its students with a well-rounded, liberal arts education that prepares them for future success. By expanding its academic offerings to include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing, the college is ensuring that its graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel and ethically lead in today’s workforce.

For more information about the new undergraduate programs, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 3, 2024

Sarah Bolton

Marketing Project Manager

Belmont Abbey College

704-461-7016

SarahBolton@bac.edu

 

Megan McCorkle

Head of Marketing

Rize Education

mmccorkle@rize.education

About the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC): The LCMC is a national consortium of over 130 fully accredited, non-profit colleges and universities formed in 2015. Members of the LCMC are committed to working together to address the challenges of increasing costs in higher education by implementing innovative programs and reducing institutional costs for these programs to pass along savings to students. In this way, the LCMC hopes to develop new models of higher education that benefit students while simultaneously contributing to the sustainability of accredited, nonprofit, 4-year institutions.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.

Download the press release.