Phone: (202) 885-2940
Graduate programs: spagrad@american.edu
Undergraduate programs: aupublicaffairs@american.edu
The Cyber Policy and Management graduate certificate program is tailored for individuals who seek leadership roles in cybersecurity, focusing on policy and management.
The Cyber P&M Cert equips students with essential skills to navigate and influence U.S. cyber policy and address management challenges.
Cyber Cert students will be able to understand and synthesize “cyber” in the context of both U.S. cyber policy and internal cyber management challenges and opportunities.
Students will gain deeper perspectives about the current and emerging dynamics of the policy processes related to U.S. cyber policy, such as critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence, regulatory harmonization, public-private partnership, software liability, and civil cyber defense, and how we approach cybersecurity governance.
The Cyber CERT program will enable students to master the tools they need to enter the cyber workforce and apply them to real-world scenarios impacting cyber policy and management domestically and internationally.
We will help students contextualize relevant cybersecurity legislation, regulations, and international developments, and how they incorporate these advancements within U.S. policies.
Students will learn to build a resource toolkit that allows them to quickly diagnose problems and propose clear, action-driven solutions to tackle cyber management issues within the public and private sectors.
Open to students with a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. Participants who are currently enrolled in an SPA master’s program may apply 12 relevant credits to this program. For those not currently enrolled in an SPA master’s program, if they choose to continue their studies toward a degree, they may transfer up to 12 credit hours as long as they indicate their plans before the 12-credit threshold in the certificate program. Students also may apply up to 3 hours earned at an accredited college or university as transfer credit toward a certificate.
Certificate Requirements
Required Courses:
Elective Courses:
On October 14, 2024, the Khan Institute welcomed Artur Kiulian—serial entrepreneur, social impact advocate, and AI specialist—for a guest lecture with SPA’s Prof. Monty McGee’s “Cyber Threats and Security” course. The lecture delved into AI governance and regulation, covering essential topics such as balancing innovation with safety, the reality behind AI’s capabilities, and the challenges of keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. Artur also discussed the importance of sovereign AI, collaborative approaches to governance, and the development of risk assessment tools.
On September 18, 2024, the SPA faculty and students along with the Khan Institute team, several faculty affiliates attended the 2024 Aspen Cyber Summit. The day featured engaging programming and insightful discussions. Special thanks to Dr. Sasha O'Connell, AU Khan Institute Strategic Advisor and Aspen Senior Director of Cybersecurity Programs, for her key role in organizing this outstanding event on behalf of the Aspen Institute.
First-generation alumna Mercedes Subhani (SPA, CLEG, '20) revisits her path to the cybersecurity field. Read the full story.
SPA’s Sasha O'Connell, Executive in Residence and Director of the THSP MS Program, along with three impressive SPA alumni, took part in The Washington Center's Cyber Accelerator Program! A big shoutout to SPA alums Crystal Assenmacher, Lama Mohammed, and Bailey Winsor for their exceptional performance on the early to mid-career professionals' panel! #SPACyber #SPAProud
SPA Cyber student Kuhu Badgi and Olivia Bohart attended a closed panel event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). They both took the opportunity to ask question and speak with Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger after the event. Read about their experiences.
Kuhu's Write-up
Olivia's Write-up
SPA Cyber Professor James Burrell published a guest editorial in the Journal of Cyber Policy on international cybersecurity policy and governance.
SPA Cyber Professor Drew Bagley has co-authored a paper on data localization policy efforts and their impact on cybersecurity.
