Hard work, discipline and a commitment to national service have long defined careers in the United States Navy and Department of Defense. At Cedarville University, a growing number of students are answering that call — and earning prestigious scholarships along the way.
Since the early 2000s, Cedarville students have been awarded competitive military and defense scholarships, including those tied to service in the Navy and the National Security Agency (NSA). Among the most recent scholarship recipients are 12 students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in cyber operations or a Bachelor of Science in computer science with a specialization in cyber operations. These students are being supported through a Department of Defense program for students preparing for national security careers.
One of those students is David Reid, who graduated in May with a double major in cyber operations and computer science. As a senior, the Columbus, Ohio student also served as chief student fellow for Cedarville’s Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity.
Students can apply for this scholarship during their sophomore year. If the scholarship is awarded, it will be implemented for the student’s junior and senior years and will cover full tuition costs, an annual stipend, a state-of-the-art laptop and all textbook and course fees. The award also provides paid internships during the summer and includes a commitment to work in a branch of the Department of Defense for two years after graduation.
This scholarship is available for students nationwide who attend a university designated as a NationalCenter of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurityby the NSA. Cedarville was recently re-designated in Cyber Operations by the NCAE through 2029, having first earned the designation in 2018. This marked the start of Cedarville students applying for — and receiving — this scholarship.
In addition to opportunities for cyber operations students, Cedarville engineering students are actively sought after and offered unique opportunities to become nuclear engineers with the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC). The NUPOC program provides Cedarville students with a unique pathway to serve as nuclear engineers aboard aircraft carriers and submarines following graduation.
The program, which requires a five-year commitment after college, recruits students from a variety of academic backgrounds. While many Cedarville engineering students — particularly those in electrical engineering — have pursued the NUPOC program, eligibility extends beyond engineering majors. In recent years, participants have included physics majors and even a communication student.
Qualified students may apply as early as the end of their freshman year. The application process includes physical examinations, written assessments and interviews with Navy officers. Those selected are officially sworn into the Navy while still in school and receive a monthly salary of $5,000, along with housing and educational stipends, until graduation.
“NUPOC recruiters seek students all across the country, and for the last few decades, they’ve intentionally recruited from Cedarville due to the strength and commitment of our students,” said Dr. Robert Chasnov, dean of Cedarville's school of engineering and computer science. “This program is incredibly important for Cedarville students, especially those looking to graduate without debt, and the training and career pathways it opens are unlike any other.”
While Ohio may be a state far from the ocean, the opportunities and allure of a career with the Navy still reaches the students of Cedarville University. Whether students within cyber operations, engineering or other majors answer the call to protect America’s seas, the strength and excellence of Cedarville’s education and spiritual mentorship ensure its students are poised for honor, integrity and success in one of the highest of callings.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.