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Fountain Valley, CA — October 2, 2025 — Coastline College has received provisional approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to offer a new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Operations, marking a significant advancement in the college’s mission to prepare students for careers at the forefront of emerging technologies.
The approval represents a major milestone not only for Coastline, but for the broader California Community College system, as institutions respond to growing workforce demand for professionals trained in both artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Coastline’s leadership in cyber education is already well established. The college is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and is the first community college in the nation to have a validated CyberAI Program of Study recognized by the NSA.
The newly approved bachelor’s degree is among only a handful of similar programs offered within California’s community colleges. It was granted provisional approval as part of the state’s Baccalaureate Degree Program (BDP) Cycle 7 and was developed in direct response to increasing national and regional demand for professionals capable of leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity operations.
As cyber threats grow more complex, employers are seeking talent skilled in AI-driven threat detection, intelligence analysis, and breach response strategies. National workforce data continues to show hundreds of thousands of cybersecurity positions remain unfilled across the United States — many of which now call for advanced AI capabilities.
“This program reflects our commitment to aligning education with workforce needs,” said Dr. Tobi West, Department Chair of Computer and Cyber Sciences at Coastline College. “By integrating artificial intelligence into cyber operations training, we are equipping students with the tools needed to succeed in one of the fastest-evolving sectors of the technology economy.”
The program received strong support from regional employers, industry partners, and advisory board members, who emphasized the urgent need for professionals trained at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Coastline’s application met rigorous state requirements and demonstrated clear workforce demand.
Pending final intersegmental program review approval, the college anticipates opening the student application process in the near future.
For more information, visit coastline.edu/cybercenter or contact Dr. Tobi West at twest@coastline.edu.
