Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced on Sept. 20 that the Commonwealth is partnering with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to expand its cloud computing degree programs.

Cloud computing programs will be expanded at select K-12 school divisions, the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), and some four-year universities. These academic institutions will use AWS Educate, an initiative promoting cloud tech learning, to incorporate cloud skills into their STEM curricula.

“This new degree program marks an exciting first step in a much broader plan to bring cloud computing education throughout the state, as the degree seeks to bridge into high schools and four-year institutions,” Virginia’s Secretary of Education Atif Qarni said in a statement.

This expansion plan comes after Virginia saw success with the cloud computing degree programs launched at Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University in June in conjunction with AWS. This system is going to be replicated at other community colleges and four-year universities, while high school students will have the opportunity to receive college credit in cloud computing course through dual enrollment, the press release states.

“Practically every field is growing more reliant on this technology and need people who can make it work,” VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois said in a press release. “This collaboration means our students will be at the forefront of a degree program that will help prepare them for high-demand 21st-century jobs.”

Here’s a list of institutions participating in the cloud computing degree program expansion throughout Virginia:

K-12 school divisions

• Fairfax County Public Schools
• Loudon County Public Schools
• Alexandria City Public Schools
• Arlington Public Schools

Community Colleges

• Northern Virginia Community College
• J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
• John Tyler Community College
• Thomas Nelson Community College
• Blue Ridge Community College
• Patrick Henry Community College
• Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
• Tidewater Community College
• New River Community College
• Lord Fairfax Community College

Universities

• George Mason University
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Old Dominion University
• Hampton University
• Virginia State University