ADELPHI, Md. (Jan. 12, 2017) –The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and University of Maryland University College (UMUC) have expanded upon their 2014 agreement which provides a 25 percent discount on out-of-state tuition rates on courses, certificates, and degree programs to all current Federal employees, spouses, and their legal dependents.

Under the expanded terms, Federal employees new to UMUC can now save five percent on graduate Cybersecurity, Business Administration and Data Analytics programs, which previously were not discounted.

In addition to the discounted rate, the alliance between OPM and UMUC also allows Federal subject matter experts to work with UMUC curriculum developers to infuse a public sector perspective into courses designed to prepare students for possible future Federal employment.

“We are extremely excited to expand upon our combined effort to strengthen the Federal Government’s workforce and its talent pipeline,” said Javier Miyares, President of UMUC. “By now offering more affordable programs to Federal employees in Cybersecurity, Business Administration and Data Analytics, we are able to serve an immediate need in the job market by providing working adults with quality, affordable programs that improve their career opportunities.”

OPM seeks to recruit, develop, retain and expand the pipeline of the best, brightest, and most diverse talent for Federal service and for the country, particularly in the area of Cybersecurity. As part of the Cybersecurity National Action Plan, for example, the Federal Government is committed to hiring 3,500 more individuals to fill essential cybersecurity and IT positions through January 2017.

UMUC has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security and as a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence by the Defense Cyber Crime Center Academic Cyber Curriculum Alliance. With more than 10,000 undergraduates and over 5,000 graduates currently enrolled, UMUC is making an important contribution to building a pipeline of in-demand professionals.

For more information about this education alliance and to enroll, please visit www.umuc.edu/fed.

UMUC is a world leader in innovative educational models, with award-winning online programs in disciplines including biotechnology, cybersecurity, data analytics, and information technology that are in high demand in today’s increasingly technical, global workplace. UMUC offers open access with a global footprint and a specific mission—to meet the learning needs of nontraditional students whose responsibilities may include jobs, family, and military service. For more information about UMUC, visit www.umuc.edu.

###