Louisiana Tech University and the Louisiana Tech Research Institute (LTRI) are addressing the demand for cybersecurity professionals by creating the Cyber Technology Practitioner Program (CTPP) with ISACA, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workforce readiness.
According to ISACA's State of Cybersecurity report, 55 percent of organizations say their cyber teams are understaffed, while 70 percent expect demand for technical contributors to continue rising. For Louisiana Tech, that presents an opportunity to prepare graduates with the practical skills employers need without adding entirely new degree programs.
CTPP weaves industry-recognized credentials into students' academic experience, combining faculty-guided instruction with hands-on labs, tuition support and professional mentoring. The result is a learning environment where students apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios while building credentials employers recognize. Since launching in 2024 with 24 participants, the program has grown to 60 students in the first quarter of 2026.
"In addition to rigorous academic coursework, the industry training and certificates from this program give students a meaningful advantage as they begin and advance their careers while helping businesses fill critical roles with skilled talent," Warren Ward, executive director of LTRI and CTPP program director, said.
Beyond the classroom, participants receive ISACA student memberships, review sessions, webinars and Q&A forums that extend learning into professional practice. Students say the combination of academic learning, hands-on experience, and industry credentials helped them transition from the classroom to the workplace with confidence.
For Karma McCoy, CTPP participant, that advantage translated into a job offer after just one month of searching.
"After only a month of job searching, I received an offer to work on a company's cybersecurity projects,” McCoy said. “The knowledge I gained helped me pass the company's screening project, which was similar to work I had already performed within this program."
Employers report that graduates arrive with a stronger understanding of cybersecurity, compliance, and technical documentation.
"One standout student supported CMMC 2.0 compliance efforts for a federal-facing business I was involved with at the time,” Tom Bowman, chief growth officer for Altech Solutions, LLC, said. “Her ISACA certificate training helped her understand security obligations, documentation requirements, and why certain controls mattered in practice. She reduced research time and was able to engage with technical and policy materials that typically require post-hire training."
Businesses benefit by having a direct pipeline to skilled employees in highly competitive fields. By combining academic instruction with hands-on learning and industry-recognized credentials, Louisiana Tech has built a pathway from the classroom to the workforce industry.
Students can earn ISACA foundational certificates in:
- Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
- Blockchain Fundamentals
- Cloud Computing Fundamentals
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- Data Science Fundamentals
- Internet of Things Fundamentals
- IT Audit Fundamentals
- IT Risk Fundamentals
Students can also prepare for advanced ISACA certifications, including:
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)