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Applied Cybersecurity Career Accelerator: Program Policies, Procedures, and Student Expectations

Program Status and Purpose

  1. The Applied Cybersecurity Career Accelerator (ACCA) is an optional, intensive, extracurricular program designed to supplement the Cybersecurity A.A.S. degree curriculum.
  2. The ACCA provides motivated cybersecurity students with structured opportunities to develop advanced technical skills, industry credentials, and professional connections, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the cybersecurity job market upon graduation.
  3. Participation in the ACCA is not required for completion of the Cybersecurity A.A.S. degree.
  4. Successful participation in the ACCA may be recognized through certificates, digital credentials, or institutional acknowledgment; however, it does not replace or modify academic degree requirements.

Eligibility

All students who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in the ACCA:

  1. Enrollment Requirements
    1. Students must be enrolled in the Cybersecurity A.A.S. or Computer Information Systems A.A.S. programs.
    2. Students must have successfully completed CYBR-121 Network Essentials with a grade of “C” or better. Alternatively, students who have received Credit by Certification for CYBR-121 are eligible after completing their first semester of Cybersecurity program coursework.
  2. GPA Requirements
    1. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher across all coursework (including non-major courses).
  3. Training Requirements
    1. Students must complete a short series of designated cybersecurity training courses prior to admission. These courses are of no cost, online, and self-paced. Students should refer to the program application page or contact the Program Director for the current list of required pre-admissions training. The total time investment to complete the pre-admissions training series is approximately 2–3 hours.
  4. Certification Requirements
    1. Students must hold, or obtain, an active cybersecurity-related industry certification by:
      • October 15 (Fall semester ACCA entry), or
      • March 15 (Spring semester entry)
    2. Approved certifications include those from CompTIA, ISC2, Cisco, Microsoft, and other approved vendors. Students should confirm certification eligibility with the Program Director.
      • The approved vendors listed above offer entry-level certification options for students with limited technical experience.
      • As a service to students, Carroll Community College maintains an authorized Pearson Vue testing center on the Washington Road campus.
  5. Agreement and Participation Requirements
    1. Students must sign and adhere to the ACCA Participant Expectations Agreement.

Participant Expectations and Requirements

ACCA participants are expected to:

  1. Actively and regularly engage in program activities, including:
    1. Program activities with employers and industry partners
    2. Technical projects
    3. Networking events
    4. Career development activities
    5. Certification preparation
    6. Other scheduled activities
  2. Meet regularly with their:
    1. Assigned faculty advisor
    2. Assigned industry mentor(s), as applicable
  3. Maintain a professional appearance at ACCA events
  4. Maintain an active online presence (e.g., LinkedIn, GitHub, portfolio website, etc.) as required by the program.
  5. Make consistent progress toward agreed-upon milestones, such as certifications, projects, portfolio development, and additional cybersecurity-related programs and opportunities.
  6. Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with both College and cybersecurity industry standards.

Scholarship and Scholars Program Requirements

The ACCA participant experience can be enhanced by additional scholarship and scholar program opportunities. Therefore, ACCA students are required to:

  1. Apply for and complete the requirements of the Lynx Scholars Program. ACCA activities and requirements align closely with Lynx Scholars requirements.
  2. Apply annually to the Carroll Community College Foundation Scholarship Program.

Employer and Industry Partnerships

  1. The ACCA actively develops, maintains, and expands strategic partnerships with employers, industry organizations, and professional associations. These partners support student success and program quality by providing:
    1. Student mentorship opportunities
    2. Program advisory input and industry guidance
    3. Professional networking connections
    4. Site visits
    5. Additional resources
  2. In addition, select employers serve as ACCA Hiring and Internship Partners (HIP).
    1. HIP partners:
      • Offer ACCA participants guaranteed first-round interviews for entry-level employment and internship opportunities when they apply.
      • Receive access to job-seeking program participants and inclusion in selected ACCA events and activities.

Time Investment

  1. Top professionals in every field dedicate significant time to their profession and improving their craft. The ACCA mirrors this approach. As such, participants should expect a time investment of:
  2. Weekly Time Investment
    1. Participation in the ACCA requires a notable investment of time beyond a student’s scheduled coursework. Students should expect to invest approximately:
      • 4–6 hours per week, in addition to regular coursework and student obligations.
  3. Year-Round Engagement
    1. As an intensive career development program, ACCA participation extends beyond the traditional academic calendar. Participants are expected to engage in internships, certification preparation, and/or advanced projects during winter recess and summer break.

Program Costs

  1. Carroll Community College offers the ACCA program as a service to students at no cost. However, participants may incur additional expenses related to program participation, including certification exam fees, professional association dues, attire, and other associated costs.

Length of Program

  1. The ACCA operates continuously and independently of the academic semester schedule. As such:
    1. Students remain active participants in the ACCA until graduation.
    2. Upon graduation, students transition to ACCA alumni status.
  2. The program maintains engagement with ACCA alumni to provide ongoing support, career development, and networking connections for both current and alumni ACCA students.

Admission

  1. Students may complete the ACCA application at the program landing page: (www.carrollcc.edu/acca).
  2. Applications are reviewed and accepted exclusively during the months of September (for fall semester entry) and February (for spring semester entry).

Voluntary Withdrawal

  1. The College recognizes that student aspirations, interests, and life circumstances often change, and the ACCA program may not align with the goals and timeline of every student. Therefore, students may withdraw from the ACCA at any time by providing written notice to the Program Director.
    1. Withdrawal:
      • Does not impact enrollment or progress toward the Cybersecurity A.A.S. degree, or affect student standing with the College.
      • Does not restrict access to College services or coursework.
      • Ends access to ACCA-specific opportunities and benefits

Removal from the Program

  1. A student may be removed from the ACCA for:
    1. Failure to meet program expectations or make reasonable progress toward program goals.
    2. Failure to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    3. Repeated or serious violations of professional conduct standards.
    4. Violations of College academic integrity or cybersecurity ethics standards.
    5. Lack of meaningful participation or attendance in required activities.
    6. Conduct that reflects negatively on the program, the College, or employer partners.
  2. Removal from the program:
    1. Does not impact enrollment or progress toward the Cybersecurity A.A.S. degree, or affect student standing with the College.
    2. Does not restrict access to College services or coursework.
    3. Ends access to ACCA-specific opportunities and benefits
  3. Process of Removal
    1. Students will be notified in writing by the Program Director and Department Chair.

Program Size, Modification, and Review

  1. The College reserves the right to modify ACCA policies, requirements, and activities as needed to align with evolving workforce demands, employer feedback, and industry standards.
  2. The College may limit the number of participants in the ACCA program based on the availability of College resources.
  3. Students will be notified of any significant changes that affect participation expectations.