ISC2 Certification Exams and Official Certification Courses Receive American Council on Education Eligibility for College Credits

Recognition signals the rigor of ISC2 certifications and courses, enabling cybersecurity professionals to accelerate their academic journey and career development

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ISC2 – the world's leading nonprofit member organization for cybersecurity professionals – today announced that the American Council on Education (ACE) Learning Evaluations has reviewed and recommended six ISC2 cybersecurity examinations and six official certification courses for college credit hours. Upon successfully passing or completing the designated exams or courses, U.S.-based ISC2 members and candidates earn college credits toward their degrees.

"ACE's meritorious recommendations reaffirm the credibility and significance of ISC2 exams and courses, as well as the rigor involved in earning the certifications," said ISC2 Chief Operating Officer Casey Marks. "This third-party evaluation and related college credits help cybersecurity professionals align their certification pursuits to their academic and professional goals."

Nearly 1600 colleges and universities consider ACE Learning Evaluations recommendations in determining the applicability of coursework and examination results for their courses and degree programs as they build out the full scope of relevant and timely content and assessments.

"ACE credit recommendations equip learners who have completed innovative exams and courses through ISC2 with the validated knowledge, skills and abilities they need to thrive in today's cybersecurity workforce," said Sarah Cunningham, executive director, One Dupont Ventures, American Council on Education.

ISC2 Certification Examinations Eligible for College Credit

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) recognizes cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities to lead an organization's information security program.
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) demonstrates professionals have the advanced technical skills and knowledge to design, manage and secure data, applications and infrastructure in the cloud.
• Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) shows software development and security professionals have the expertise to apply best practices throughout the secure software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC) shows advanced technical skills and knowledge to protect, authorize and maintain information systems within various risk management frameworks.
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) shows that candidates have the advanced technical skills and knowledge to implement, monitor and administer IT infrastructure using security best practices, policies and procedures established by the cybersecurity experts at ISC2.
• Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) provides employers with the confidence that candidates have a solid grasp of the right technical concepts, and a demonstrated aptitude to learn on the job.

ISC2 Official Certification Courses Eligible for College Credit

• CISSP Training: CISSP Online Self-Paced and CISSP Online Instructor-Led
• CCSP Training: CCSP Online Self-Paced and CCSP Online Instructor-Led
• CSSLP Training: CSSLP Online Self-Paced and CSSLP Online Instructor-Led
• CGRC Training: CGRC Online Self-Paced Training and CGRC Online Instructor-Led
• SSCP Training: SSCP Online Self-Paced Training and SSCP Online Instructor-Led
• CC Training: CC Online Self-Paced and CC Online Instructor-Led

Each course or exam is eligible for three credit hours, and they range from the entry-level Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) official course to two examinations designated as Upper-Division Baccalaureate: the Governance, Risk and Compliance Certification (CGRC) and the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) exams. Those who earn these credits could potentially transfer them to their choice of higher learning institute, counting the credit hours toward completion of a degree.

To demonstrate completion, ISC2 members and candidates can claim their virtual badges via Credly. Serving much in the same way as a traditional college transcript, these credits could potentially be transferred to a learner's choice of higher learning institution and count towards completion of a degree.

For more information, visit the ISC2 academic partner page or the ISC2 page on the ACE website.

About the American Council on Education

ACE is a membership organization that leads higher education with a united vision for the future, galvanizing our members to make change and collaborating across the sector to design solutions for today's challenges, serve the needs of a diverse student population, and shape effective public policy. As the major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities, our strength lies in our diverse membership of colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. For more information, please visit www.acenet.edu.

About ISC2
ISC2 is the world's leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 265,000 certified members, and associates, are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity's premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educates those most vulnerable. Learn more, get involved or become an ISC2 Candidate to build your cyber career at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

© 2025 ISC2 Inc., ISC2, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CGRC, CSSLP, HCISPP, ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP, CC, and CBK are registered marks of ISC2, Inc.

Media Contact:
Amanda Steinman
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
ISC2
[email protected]

SOURCE ISC2