Palm Beach State College is expanding offerings in information technology and health sciences professions with the introduction of programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and medical imaging for the fall term, which begins Monday, Aug. 26.
These new degree and certificate programs in AI, cybersecurity and medical imaging will offer students a fast track to preparing for in-demand careers and provide opportunities for working professionals to gain additional credentials to step up in their fields or start a new career path. A 23 percent increase is projected in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers by 2030.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of these dynamic programs designed to meet the evolving needs of our students and the demands of the modern workforce,” said Dr. Roger Yohe, vice president of academic innovation and strategy at PBSC. “These new programs reflect our commitment to providing high-quality education that prepares students to thrive in their careers and make significant contributions to their professions and communities.”
PBSC’s Applied Artificial Intelligence associate’s degree and related college credit certificates aim to bring much-needed new talent into the growing AI field. Through a rigorous curriculum that builds technical expertise, critical thinking and problem-solving ability, the programs prepare students for immediate employment in all industries using AI to improve effectiveness and productivity. Students will gain knowledge and skills in data science tools, machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision, as applied to managing AI project life cycles.
The new Cybersecurity associate’s degree and related college credit certificates are designed to meet the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals in Florida. Currently, there are 23,424 cybersecurity job openings in Florida, according to CyberSeek, and 469,930 nationwide. PBSC will prepare students through a comprehensive, industry-aligned curriculum that integrates technical and nontechnical skills and promotes employability, higher-order reasoning and adhering to ethical practices. The addition of these programs builds on PBSC’s strength in the cybersecurity field as recognized by its designation in 2023 as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
The credits from the AI and cybersecurity college credit certificates transfer into the related associate’s degrees, and both lay the foundation to earn PBSC’s two-year bachelor’s of applied science degree in information management, which has a choice of three concentrations: database administration and data analytics, project management, and security and network assurance (cybersecurity).
For more information about these programs, visit the Computer Science and Information Technology section at www.palmbeachstate.edu/career-pathways/pathway-STEM.
