Department of Defense (DoD)
Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP)

Applications are being accepted for the Fall-06 Term
Application Deadline: February 17, 2006

Pursue a Graduate Certificate or an undergraduate minor in Information Assurance Systems at Oklahoma State University through the Center for Telecommunications and Network Security, a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.

Receive certification for the following national IA standards: CNSS 4011, 4012, 4013, 4014 and 4015. more

DoD-IASP Opportunity

Oklahoma State University (OSU), in cooperation with the Department of Defense, is pleased to offer this tremendous opportunity for the IASP, a scholarship developed to give civilians the opportunty to earn a graduate degree with an emphasis in Information Assurance, receive a salary while in school, and step into a career with an unlimited future. OSU is recognized as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Information Assurance by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The OSU Center for Telecommunications and Network Security (CTANS) coordinates all Information Assurance and Forensics education for the university, including the Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance, an undergraduate minor and a major option, as well as emphases in multiple graduate programs.

The Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance, is a unique academic program offered by CTANS. The curriculum for the 15 credit-hour program focuses on establishing an understanding of the functionality of computer networks, an examination of the unauthorized methods used to access and manipulate these systems, and the methods used to establish a secure system capable of collecting and storing the data readily available to authorized users. The Management Information Systems major in Information Assurance and Forensics option is for someone that wants to further specialize in this rapidly growing area of demand within the IT market. The curriculum for the minor has been designed to be accessible for a student in any OSU major area and requires 21 credit hours that may be taken in conjunction with any major. Finally, the MBA program offers an emphasis in Information Assurance and Forensics addresses the risk associated with cyber attacks on the IT infrastucture or systems and the impact on business continuity.

CTANS is applying for DoD-IASP scholarship funds and is currently accepting applications. The scholarship recipients will be selected by the DoD, while the application process will be managed by CTANS. The scholarship may be used to pursue any related degree as long as the student also meets all the requirements of either the Graduate Certificate or the undergraduate minor in Information Assurance. The scholarship students will be in the program for up to two years. All accepted students will receive stipends plus support for tuition and fees, and room and board. Upon graduation, the students will be required to work for a DoD agency as a civilian employee for up to two years upon graduation.

Scholarship Benefits

Each student in the program will be supported for up to two years. The specific benefits will be:

• A graduate student will be paid a room and board stipend of $15,000 per academic year. An undergraduate receives $10,000.
• The scholarship will pay for the full cost of tuition, required fees, books, and a stipend to cover room and board.
• DoD will also provide sponsors who will maintain contact with the student during the scholarship period, and who will facilitate the student's entry into internships and eventual DoD employment.

Requirements and Eligibility

To be eligible for the DoD-IASP support, the candidates should fulfill the following criteria:

• Must be a United States citizen at the time of application and at least 18 years.
• The applicant
  • is currently enrolled or has been accepted to begin the First or Second year of the Masters program by Fall, 2006, OR
  • has been accepted or is pursuing doctoral studies
• Each student must meet the selection criteria for federal employment
  • Final job placement may require security clearances, so each scholarship recipient may be required to undergo the background investigation required to obtain such clearances.
  • Note, if family members are not U.S. Citizens, some Agencies may be unable to process them through the required security clearances. DoD agencies make every effort to assign eligible students at an Agency without such restrictions.
• During the summers while enrolled in the program, each student will be placed by the National Security Agency (NSA) into internship positions at a Department of Defense agency.
• Upon graduation, each student will be required to work for a DoD agency as a civilian employee. The work requirement time period matches the supported time period.
• Applicant for recruitment IASP cannot be a current DoD or federal employee.
• Except for small achievement awards (not to exceed $2,000 in any academic year), a student may not accept simultaneous remuneration from another scholarship or fellowship.

Application Process

Each applicant to the DoD-IASP program should provide the following:

• Complete the Application Form
• Statement of purpose and description of goals and motivations to pursue a career in Information Assurance and computer security.
• Copy of transcripts of all college work outside of Okalhoma State University.
• Two recommendation letters (more details can be found in the application information)