Rockwall Resident Named First Graduate of UT Tyler Cybersecurity and Data Analytics Degree Program
TYLER (November 16, 2023) – Jacob Ledbetter of Rockwall will be the first graduate of the Master of Science in cybersecurity and data analytics degree program at The University of Texas at Tyler. Housed within the UT Tyler Soules College of Business, the program was established last year to help address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals regionally and beyond.
“We are immensely proud of Mr. Ledbetter for being the first MS-CSDA graduate,” said Dr. Robert Schumaker, UT Tyler professor of computer science and co-departmental program coordinator. “It took nine years and a lot of work and support from many at the university to get us to the point of celebrating Mr. Ledbetter’s graduation. He will hold a special place for us.”
Ledbetter will graduate next month with the UT Tyler Master of Science degree with a specialization in applied data analytics.
“I am honored to be recognized as the first graduate of the CSDA program,” said Ledbetter, who always had an interest in computer forensics and decided to change his career path after graduating last year with a bachelor’s degree. “I made some sacrifices this past year to get to this point, and it has been a rewarding experience. Having no prior knowledge, I am thankful my professors and adviser were understanding and patient while providing me guidance.”
Ledbetter plans to pursue a career as a computer data analyst or data scientist in the sports or gaming world. He holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from UT Tyler.
UT Tyler’s MS-CSDA program is the first in Texas and among the first nationwide to combine the disciplines of cybersecurity and data analytics – two critical components in keeping valuable data secure. The 100% online program can be completed in just one year and is open to baccalaureate graduates of all majors and working professionals of all occupations. Students may choose from several electives with stackable certifications in areas including cyber data foundation, applied cybersecurity and applied data analytics.
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.
