CYBER P-TECH, USA AT SAM HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL

Cyber P-TECH USA at Sam Houston High School opened August 2019 as the first Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) in San Antonio. The program has a focus on preparing students with the skills, credentials, and an industry-specific associate degree necessary for high-wage, high-demand careers in cybersecurity within four to six years.  Students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, industry certifications, a two-year post-secondary certificate, and even an associates degree.  Students will also participate in work-based training through internships, apprenticeships, and other job training programs.

The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 22 in 2017, paving the way for school districts to work with the Texas Education Agency to launch P-TECH programs. In the P-TECH model, schools partner with Texas institutions of higher education and regional businesses and industries, giving students post-secondary education and workforce training opportunities.

Institution of Higher Education Partner

Cyber P-TECH at Sam Houston will partner with St. Philip’s College, within the Alamo Colleges District. St. Philip's College has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Through St. Philip’s, Cyber P-TECH students will have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist degree. The degree will prepare students to design, implement, and secure computer networks. Students with this degree will be able to install security software, monitor networks for security breaches, respond to cyber-attacks, and gather data and evidence to be used in investigating cybercrime. 

As early as students’ second semester in the program, they will be able to earn an Information Technology industry certification. By the time students are high school juniors, they will have the opportunity to earn CompTIA Linux and CompTIA Security certifications. By the fall of their senior year, students will be able to earn an Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist Level 1 certificate. As early as the spring of their senior year, students can earn associate degrees specifically tied to the cybersecurity industry.

Industry Partners

Students also will have the opportunity to learn from industry partners and gain real-world experience through mentorships, job shadowing, internships, professional skills development and field experiences. Students who complete the program will have priority in interviewing with participating employers.

The anchor industry partner is Accenture Federal Services, which created an apprenticeship program in San Antonio to provide under-represented groups greater access to digital-economy jobs while building a pipeline of talent to help address the widening technology skills gap. The company has more than 30 years of cybersecurity experience serving clients who are at the heart of the nation’s priorities in defense, intelligence, public safety, health and civilian issues – including every cabinet-level department within the federal government.

Additional industry partners include DC Industries, MIMS Institute Fellows Inc., STEMuli, and Tech Skills on Wheels. Other partners are expected to sign on in the coming weeks and months.

Student Enrollment

Cyber P-TECH, USA at Sam Houston High School is 100% open enrollment, with no barriers for attendance.  

Advantages

Students will work with top-notch companies who will partner as instructors and mentors. Students will also be trained to become more self-aware, emotionally healthy, persistent, and resilient.