Contact Us
Phone: (202) 885-2940
Graduate programs: spagrad@american.edu
Undergraduate programs: aupublicaffairs@american.edu
Program Overview
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 鈥渃yber鈥 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.
Certificate Requirements
Open to students with a bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher from an accredited institution. Participants who are currently enrolled in an SPA master鈥檚 program may apply 12 relevant credits to this program. For those not currently enrolled in an SPA master鈥檚 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
- 15 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 6 credit hours at or above 600-level
- Students who are currently enrolled in an SPA master鈥檚 program may apply 12 relevant credit hours to this program. For students not currently enrolled in an SPA master鈥檚 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 hour threshold in the certificate program 路 Compliance with all regulations for a certificate (Graduate Academic Regulations 4.11, 5, 6)
Required Courses:
Elective Courses:
News Updates
From AI Hype to Responsible Policy & Governance with Artur Kiulian
On October 14, 2024, the Khan Institute welcomed Artur Kiulian鈥攕erial entrepreneur, social impact advocate, and AI specialist鈥攆or a guest lecture with SPA鈥檚 Prof. Monty McGee鈥檚 鈥淐yber Threats and Security鈥 course. The lecture delved into AI governance and regulation, covering essential topics such as balancing innovation with safety, the reality behind AI鈥檚 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.
2024 Aspen Cyber Summit
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.
Why Cyber?
First-generation alumna Mercedes Subhani (SPA, CLEG, '20) revisits her path to the cybersecurity field. Read the full story.
Looking for more? Browse our full list of recent news and events.