Mississippi high school students are set to benefit from new opportunities in high-demand career fields with the introduction of Cybersecurity and Networking programs. This initiative stems from a collaborative effort between the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the College Board.
The MDE recently announced its participation in the AP Career Kickstart program, which will see the piloting of Advanced Placement courses in Cybersecurity and Networking at three high schools starting this fall. The program aims to enable students to gain college credits and industry-recognized credentials prior to graduation.
The three high schools selected for the pilot program in the 2025-26 academic year are Brandon High School and Richland High School in the Rankin County School District, as well as Harrison Central High School in the Harrison County School District. Teachers from these institutions underwent specialized training over the summer and will continue to receive support throughout the academic year.
Officials from the MDE have indicated that the pilot initiative will serve as a blueprint for the statewide implementation of AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking courses scheduled for the 2026-27 school year. Additionally, in the same academic year, another course, AP Business with Personal Finance, will also be made available statewide.
Reference from News: Mississippi introduces new AP courses in Cybersecurity, Networking, Business - Magnolia State Live