Develop Needed Skills for the Cyber Policy Field
Students of the SPA Cyber curriculum will develop the following critical skills:
- Understand how “cyber” is defined, in the context of both U.S. cyber policy and internal cyber management challenges and opportunities.
- Understand the historic context and current dynamics of policy processes related to U.S. cyber policy.
- Understand the current roles of government, the private sector, and individuals in the development, formalization, and implementation of U.S. cyber policy.
- Master frameworks for analyzing cyber management issues in the public sector.
- Compile a resource toolkit for tackling cyber management issues in the public sector.
Cyber Security Awareness Month
AU Vice Provost for Research and SPA Professor Diana Burley was highlighted in Consumer Reports’ second annual “Cyber Readiness Report,” which reviews consumer attitudes towards digital privacy and security practices online. Read the report below to learn more.
Read the Report
Graduate Certificate in Cyber Policy and Management
This graduate certificate, which launched Fall 2021, is currently open only to current and incoming students of the MS Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy, the MS Justice Law & Criminology, the Masters of Public Administration, and the Masters of Public Policy programs.
The new Cyber Policy & Management five-course graduate certificate is designed for students who seek non-technical, leadership roles in cybersecurity, in the areas of cyber policy and management, within both the public and private sectors.
How to Enroll
Contact the SPA Cyber Certificate team (spacybercert@american.edu) to guide you through the enrollment process.
Graduate Certificate Video
THSP Program Director Sasha O’Connell and AU Vice Provost Diana Burley discuss how THSP students will benefit from SPA’s new Cyber Policy & Management graduate certificate.
Certificate Highlights
By completing the four required courses and one approved elective, THSP students can earn the graduate certificate concurrently with their master’s degree, and complete their studies within their anticipated date of graduation.
The Cyber Policy & Management certificate program will appear on the transcripts of graduates, both separately and as part of their THSP degree.
Course Requirements
The Cyber Policy & Management graduate certificate requires 15 credits (five courses), 12 of which can also be counted toward general THSP degree requirements.
Required Courses (12 credit hours total)
- JLC 683 Cyber Threats and Security
- JLC 665 Who’s Who in U.S. Cyber Policy
- JLC 696 Emerging Technology for Non-Technical Policy Makers
- JLC 695 THSP Practicum: Cyber Policy
Electives (choose at least one; three credit hours each)
- ITEC 666 Cyber Security Risk Management
- SIS 619 Cyber Conflict: Surveillance, Activism and Privacy
- JLC 496/696 Cybercrime
- JLC 696-006 Cybercriminology
- JLC 696-007 Cybersecurity Law for Policymakers
Other elective courses can be considered based on availability and the approval of the program director.
For more information and to learn how to enroll, contact the SPA Cyber Certificate team at spacybercert@american.edu.
