Transdisciplinary Credentials: The Smartest Way to Future-Proof a Degree

Why academic institutions are embedding IT credential content into programs far beyond computer science.

The new reality: every field is a tech field
Whether you’re studying law or logistics, public health or public policy, tech skills are no longer optional. From automation to data security to compliance, today’s workforce expects professionals to be as comfortable with technology as they are with disciplinary expertise. That’s why more forward-looking colleges and universities are embedding IT credentials, like cybersecurity, data privacy, and risk management, into non-IT programs. It’s a move that’s not just smart. It’s strategic.

Students are no longer asking if they need tech skills. They’re asking which ones, and how soon they’ll be certified. Because employers are asking them. Academic institutions that can answer that with confidence are the ones pulling ahead in the race for relevance, and enrollment.

Degrees without credentials? That’s a risk too
Let’s be honest: a traditional degree, on its own, isn’t always enough anymore. The job market is flooded with well-educated candidates. What sets students apart is proof they can apply that knowledge in the real world. Industry-recognized credentials offer that proof: validated, measurable, and immediately useful. And while LinkedIn feeds are filled with individuals promoting their new certificates or badges, if they’re not truly industry-required, they are often just nice-to-haves.

For academic institutions, not offering credentials can quietly undermine programs. It’s not just a missed opportunity, it’s a reputational risk. Students talk. Employers notice. And once the word spreads that a competing institution offers both a degree and a credentialed skillset, the comparison isn’t flattering.

Blend disciplines, unlock new doors
Adding IT credentials doesn’t mean “techifying” every degree. It means preparing students to solve today’s real-world challenges.

Imagine a criminal justice major who can investigate digital evidence. A healthcare admin student trained in HIPAA-compliant data security. A business grad who knows how to navigate governance and compliance. These are not niche combinations; they’re competitive advantages. Transdisciplinary pathways like these expand what a program can promise and who it can attract. They also create new options for returning adult learners and career-switchers looking for programs that meet them where they are and get them where they want to go.

Schools don’t have to build it themselves
Here’s the part many schools don’t realize—credential-ready content already exists. Faculty don’t have to write it. Institutions don’t have to invent it. And students don’t have to jump through extra hoops to access it.

Academic partnerships with credential-providers offer plug-and-play curriculum, assessments, and support, everything needed to embed credentials directly into existing courses. In many cases, the same professor can teach the core subject and the credential content with just a few hours of enablement. That’s how schools are launching new tech-enhanced programs in weeks—not years. That’s weeks—not years.

What’s next?
As the demand for tech-savvy graduates continues to grow, embedding IT credentials across disciplines isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the next logical step in keeping academic offerings aligned with the workforce and unlocking greater value for students and institutions alike.

— Jeff Angle, Head of Academic Partnerships at ISACA (Presenting at 2025 Convergence, with George Washington University & National CyberWatch Center)

About ISACA

ISACA helps colleges and universities embed globally recognized IT credential content into non-IT degree programs. With credential-ready curriculum, built-in support, and global credibility, ISACA’s academic partnerships help institutions prepare students for careers—not just graduation. Learn more at www.isaca.org/academic