Increasing minority participation in information assurance

In fall semester 2005, the Computer & Information Sciences Department at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, a historical black college and university, introduced an information assurance certificate track. The introduction of new courses into any curriculum presents the traditional problems. This paper provides an overview of our experience in establishing an undergraduate information assurance certificate program. Specifically, details are given about the new information assurance courses and the different instructional methodologies used. Additionally, a summary of student feedback, lesson learned by faculty, and possible future directions are given.