EMBRACE CHANGE

Welcome to the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) - the newest and fastest growing college at the University of Arizona!

The year 2020 was replete with issues we would like to forget but will always remember. A global pandemic we handled poorly, a summer where long-standing racial inequities boiled over, and a national election that highlighted the divides of 21 ^st Century America dominated the news and our communities. In the immortal words of Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Three themes permeate all these issues: Science, technology, and social justice. These themes define what many have dubbed the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). The technologies of the 4IR such as cyber, artificial intelligence, data science, and biotechnologies are changing the world at a pace unheard of in human history. Thriving in a 4IR world demands a new approach to problem solving that anticipates, rather than reacts to change. Thriving in the 4IR also demands accessible education where everybody has the opportunity to be successful. As a Land Grant University, the University of Arizona’s strategic plan has identified preparing diverse students for this 4IR world a strategic priority. CAST supports these strategic efforts with a portfolio of majors, minors, and certificates that develop the critical thinking and skills to thrive in a 4IR world across the interconnected themes of science, technology, and human behavior.

CAST degrees and certificates offer students the opportunity to earn a coveted University of Arizona degree in a personalized and affordable way for students in Southeast Arizona, the military, and communities across the nation. CAST is leading the way to address the needs of families and workplaces in a highly volatile world through relevant, science-based education. Our award-winning programs are nationally recognized for their innovative approach to 4IR education. Both our Cyber Operations and our Intelligence Studies degrees are national centers of academic excellence. Our state-of-the-art Virtual Learning Environment, Cyberapolis, is the epitome of educational innovation and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. All of our programs focus on quality education with academic rigor and personalized instruction in small classes to prepare you for employment in high demand career fields.

Our on-line, hybrid, and in-person programs deliver flexible degree and certificate pathways that are adaptable to the needs of almost any student. Our unique education model combines community college experience with an applied bachelor’s degree making our degrees affordable and attainable. We find the best match between your career goals and your education to ensure your success. At CAST, we believe success in the 21^st Century is dependent on your ability to keep up with the dizzying pace of change that defines your world. A CAST education will provide you with the tools you need to thrive. Check us out and join us on the journey to develop the skills and ways of thinking that define success for your future!

* Prior to 2019, programs at the University of Arizona’s Sierra Vista campus were offered under the name UA South. In 2019, the Arizona Board of Regent’s changed the name of UA South to the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) . CAST continues to serve the land grant mission of the University of Arizona by providing affordable, accessible higher education in science and technology to students throughout rural areas of Southeastern Arizona and expands this access to students across the state and nation. To learn about the historical roots of CAST, check out our history page.