# University of Phoenix Awarded 2019 Academic Circle of Excellence Award by EC-Council, the World’s Largest Cybersecurity Certification Body

**By University of Phoenix**

November 12, 2019 • 2 minute read
_The award recognizes UOPX’s commitment to making a positive impact in the cybersecurity workforce through its suite of EC-Council certification-aligned programs_

PHOENIX, Nov. 12, 2019 – [University of Phoenix](https://www.phoenix.edu/) has been awarded the 2019 [Academic Circle of Excellence Award](https://www.eccouncil.org/ec-council-global-awards/) from the International Council of E-commerce Consultants (EC-Council), the world’s largest cybersecurity certification body. The University was selected for the award in part because of its commitment to educate and make a difference in the cybersecurity workforce through continuous program development. This development includes offering a suite of programs aligned to industry-leading EC-Council certification exams.

“EC-Council’s Academic division is very excited to present University of Phoenix with the 2019 Academic Circle of Excellence Award. The University has remained true to its motto, ‘We Rise,’ designing rigorous cyber programs to prepare students to pursue opportunities in the most state-of-the-art cyber careers,” said Wesley Alvarez, director of academics at EC-Council. “EC-Council is pleased to honor the University for its contributions to education in secure computing, network defense, ethical hacking, and CISO level leadership.”

The EC-Council and University of Phoenix alliance started three years ago with aspirations to expand potential opportunities and career paths for students enrolled in cybersecurity programs. As part of the alliance, the University launched the [Associate of Cybersecurity](/online-information-technology-degrees/cybersecurity-associates-degree.html) degree and elective courses that align with the EC-Council certification exams. EC-Council certifications aligned with University of Phoenix programs include:

- [Certified Ethical Hacker](https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/) (CEH)
- [Certified Network Defender](https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-network-defender-cnd/) (CND)
- [Certified Secure Computer User](https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-secure-computer-user-cscu/) (CSCU)

 

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