UWF CyberSkills2Work Program

Program Overview

The UWF CyberSkills2Work^TM Program, offered by the University of West Florida’s Center for Cybersecurity, is an intensive cybersecurity training program designed to help individuals launch or advance cybersecurity careers. The program provides FREE cybersecurity training and career development for eligible transitioning military members, first responders, veterans, military spouses, and government personnel to prepare and transition them into rewarding cybersecurity jobs.

Delivery Format: Online (100% Asynchronous)

The UWF CyberSkills2Work^TM Program is part of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program led by UWF. Visit the CyberSkills2Work.org site to learn more.

2026 Program Information

In 2026, UWF will offer two training pathways to prepare participants for AI/ML Specialist and Cyber Defense Analyst work roles. The program will provide asynchronous online training courses, industry certification preparation and vouchers, digital badges and credentials, professional development, and job placement support.

Each pathway will be offered for a cohort of 35 eligible participants. All costs for eligible and accepted participants will be covered by the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity or U.S. Department of War CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office grants.

AI/ML Specialist Pathway (Entry Level)
March 2 - June 26, 2026

Application Deadline: November 5, 2025

The AI/ML Specialist Pathway enables participants to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to strengthen and streamline cybersecurity operations. Through a series of engaging courses, learners explore both the technical and managerial applications of AI and ML in protecting the organization’s cyber environment. The highlight of this pathway is the EC-Council Certified AI Program Manager preparation course, designed to help participants earn a globally recognized credential and stand out in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity.

Course Title	Course Dates
AI and Prompt Engineering	Mar 2 – Mar 13, 2026
EC-Council Certified AI Program Manager Prep Course	Mar 23 – May 22, 2026
EC-Council Generative AI for Cybersecurity	Jun 1 - Jun 12, 2026
AI and ML for Cybersecurity	Jun 15 - Jun 26, 2026

Cyber Defense Analyst Pathway (Intermediate Level)
February 16 - August 7, 2026

Application Deadline: November 5, 2025

The Cyber Defense Analyst Pathway is designed to prepare participants for cyber defense analyst and related work roles, which use defensive measures and information collected from a variety of sources to identify, analyze, and report events that occur, or might occur, within the network in order to protect information and information systems from threats.

Course Title	Course Dates
Network Defense Fundamentals	Feb 16 – Feb 27, 2026
CompTIA Security+ Prep Course	Mar 9 – May 8, 2026
Threat Intelligence with AI	May 18 – May 29, 2026
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) Prep Course	Jun 8 – Aug 7, 2026

Program Benefits

Offers three short-term, intensive cybersecurity training pathways and career development support at no cost to eligible participants.
Instructor-led courses are taught by UWF faculty and prepare students for cybersecurity careers with foundational knowledge and hands-on skills and exercises via the Florida Cyber Range®.
Includes industry certification prep courses and vouchers, including CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and EC-Council Generative AI for Cybersecurity.
Career development support and access to connect with employers and job opportunities via the National Employers Cybersecurity Network.
Provides industry certifications, digital badges, and credentials to document skills and competencies.
Program and courses are 100% asynchronous online, making learning accessible and convenient. Some course and program activities may include optional synchronous online, e.g., Q&A sessions, which will be recorded for asynchronous viewing.

Program Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for program consideration, applicants must meet the following requirements:

U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident

Be a transitioning military member, transitioning first responder, veteran, military spouse, or government employee.
High school diploma or equivalent
Strong interest in cybersecurity and working in the field upon completion of the program
Availability to fully participate in program during the entire duration and complete all course and program requirements
Some IT or cybersecurity experience
Once selected, participants will also need to meet any other program requirements.

Preferred Requirements

Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in IT or STEM-related area
At least two years of IT or cybersecurity experience
Security clearance (active or past)

Program Participation Requirements

These are intensive training programs. Participants must dedicate ample time to participating in and completing all program and course requirements. To succeed in the program, participants should plan to spend approximately 10-20 hours per week on program and course requirements.

All selected applicants must agree and comply with the following:

Commit to participating in the program during the entire duration (courses will not run for the entire duration, but participants should be available during that time frame).
Must have your own working computer with a camera, microphone, and reliable high-speed Internet connection.
Participate in all program and course activities and meetings, including scheduled courses, industry certification exam preparation, career development, and information sessions.
Dedicate time towards self-study and complete all program and course requirements, including assigned readings, labs, assessments, and surveys each week.
Register for industry certification exams during those courses and take the exams within two weeks of each certification course completion. Report the exam date and results to the course instructor.
Actively participate in job searches and employment placement efforts during and upon completion of the program.

Application Deadline and Process

*** ALL APPLICATIONS ARE REVIEWED ON A FIRST-COME BASIS ***

Prospective applicants should apply via the CyberSkills2Work.org site. Visit CyberSkills2Work.org and select “Join” in the top right corner to create a learner account and apply. Select the appropriate University of West Florida training pathway(s) you would like to apply for when prompted.

Interested in cybersecurity training but not eligible for this program? We offer other training programs that you may be eligible for! Please complete the interest form or email cybersecurity@uwf.edu for more information.

Application Requirements

We encourage prospective applicants to begin to collect all required documents in the interest of time.

Required Documents:

A brief up-to-date resume
A copy of unofficial transcripts for your most advanced degree completed (high school, associate's, or bachelor's degree)

As part of the application process, you'll need to provide documentation to confirm your citizenship or permanent residency status, as well as evidence demonstrating your eligibility to participate (service records, employment verification form, etc.). It's advisable to gather this information before beginning your application.

For Government Personnel and Transitioning First Responders: Submit (a) a signed verification letter of first responder’s service on the organization’s letterhead from the first responder’s job supervisor or Human Resources representative, and includes the dates of your service, the position you held while in service, the duties you performed, and the phone number where we can reach the verifying personnel, or (b) the completed First Responder Service Verification Form that that is located on the application.

For Transitioning Military Personnel and Military Spouses: Submit a copy of your orders, or your Electronic Military Service Record, for example…

ERB (Army – Enlisted Record Brief) reflecting full/current active duty service history
CDB (Air Force – Career Data Brief)
BIR (Marine Corps – Basic Individual Record), reflecting full/current active duty service history
ESR (Navy – Electronic Service Record) or NSIPS (Navy Standard Integrated Personnel Systems), reflecting full/current active duty service history
El-PDR or USCG Military Record or DD-214 (National Coast Guard - Electronic Personnel Data Record )

**Please redact any sensitive information from any documents, including social security number, etc, before submitting them.

For Veterans: Submit a copy of your DD-214/DD 215 or Record of Separation. The Department of Veterans Affairs makes validating military service easy. Just log in to eBenefits and follow these steps:

Access your Documents and Records
Click on VA Letters
Click on the Service Verification link
Download and save the file as PDF

**Please redact any sensitive information from any documents, including social security number, etc, before submitting them.

UWF CyberSkills2Work^TM Program Team

Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, Associate Vice President, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Dr. Guillermo Francia, III, Director, Research and Innovation, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Guy Garrett, Associate Director, Technology and Training, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Dr. Hossain Shahriar, Professor and Associate Director, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Dr. Elizabeth Rasnick, Assistant Professor, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Dr. Jeremy Straub, Associate Professor, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Connar McCasland, Cybersecurity Instructor, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Francine Coller, Senior Program Coordinator, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Rhonda Wiggins, Program Coordinator, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Sajida Shabanali, Cybersecurity Instructor and Employer Engagement Coordinator, UWF Center for Cybersecurity

Resources

This program is part of the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, CyberSkills2Work®, which is led by the University of West Florida and funded by the DoD CIO Cyber Academic Engagement Office and the NSA National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Program.