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Why Cyber?
First-generation alumna Mercedes Subhani (SPA, CLEG, `20) revisits her path to the cybersecurity field.
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Contact Us
Phone: (202) 885-2940
Graduate programs: spagrad@american.edu
Undergraduate programs: aupublicaffairs@american.edu
Public Affairs, School of
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States
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Develop Needed Skills for the Cyber Policy Field
Students of the SPA Cyber curriculum听will develop the following critical skills:
- Understand how 鈥渃yber鈥 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.
Ready to engage?
Check out our Graduate Certificate in Cyber Policy and Management
This graduate certificate, which launched Fall 2021, is currently open听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
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.
Watch our .
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鈥機onnell and 玉米视频 Vice Provost Diana Burley discuss how THSP students will benefit from SPA鈥檚 new Cyber Policy & Management graduate certificate.
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Featured News
SPA Cyber Students take part in The Washington Center's Cyber Accelerator Program
SPA鈥檚 Sasha O'Connell, Executive in Residence and Director of the THSP MS Program, along with three impressive SPA alumni, took part in ! 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
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SPA Cyber launches new "Start Here" Podcast on Cyber Fundamentals for Policymakers听
SPA's Sasha O'Connell and Diana Burley, together with Drew Bagley (Crowdstrike) and Megan Brown (Wiley), have launched "Start Here," a new podcast diving into the essential aspects of cyber policy.
Learn More & Listen
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Certificate Highlights
By completing the four required courses and one approved elective, THSP students can earn the graduate certificate concurrently with their master鈥檚 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 an SPA master's program.
Required Courses (12 credit hours total)
- JLC 660 Emerging Tech for Non-Technical Policymakers
- JLC 665 Introduction to Advanced Cyber Policy
- JLC 683 Cyber Threats and Security
- JLC 695 Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy Practicum
Electives (choose at least one; three credit hours each)
- ITEC 666 Cybersecurity Risk Management
- SIS 619 Special Studies in International Politics
Other elective courses can be considered based on availability and the approval of the program director.
Course Highlights
JLC-695-002听AI & Homeland Security
Artificial Intelligence and Homeland Security (3) Revolutionary advances in artificial intelligence are changing homeland security in many ways. Although the precise nature of this change remains unclear, the arsenal of tools available to advance the mission has expanded alongside an evolving threat landscape. This practicum examines the implications of artificial intelligence for the homeland security enterprise. Students apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities on a practical, team-based project. The practicum builds professional skills crucial for success in careers in homeland security including project management, writing, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Students perform intensive research and analysis of academic, industry, and government sources to explore the threats and opportunities in this space. Students work with an external client to identify the scope of the project. The client for this practicum is Pangiam, a technology and consulting firm for government and industry partners and a global leader exploring cutting edge solutions to contemporary homeland security challenges.
Instructor: Trace Lasley
JLC-695-001 Cyber Incident Response Practicum
This practicum will focus on developing students' knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of various key stakeholders in responding to a serious cybersecurity incident. Students will learn how the U.S. government approaches cyber incidents from a legal, policy, and operational perspective, and how industry, the media, and partner nations must balance the challenges around a quickly unfolding cyber incident with incomplete information. Students will conduct a hands-on simulation of a National Security Council meeting, and role-play media companies, industry groups, and other affected organizations utilizing the policy analysis skills developed throughout this course. As part of the exercise, students will provide policy options to cabinet officials and advocate for particular actions. Following the simulation, students will have the opportunity to brief senior U.S. government officials in key cybersecurity agencies, as well as other cybersecurity experts. Students will gain a practical ability to prepare an incident response plan and develop concise, actionable written and oral policy options.
Instructors:
Iranga Kahangama,听Director for Cyber Policy, National Security Council
Jonah Hill, Cyber Security Strategist, U.S. Secret Service
"Cyber policy is a dynamic and quickly-evolving area of U.S. national security policymaking. We're excited to share our experiences with the 玉米视频 community and to offer a practicum that allows students to understand the challenges and options for responding to a cyber incident at a national level." - Jonah Hill, Instructor
"I鈥檓 looking forward to helping develop a strong talent pipeline for public service in the cyber policy sphere鈥 - Iranga Kahangama, Instructor
More News
2023 Counter Ransomware Initiative
SPA Cyber student Kuhu Badgi and Olivia Bohart听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
Special issue on domain name system (DNS)
SPA Cyber Professor James Burrell published a guest editorial in the Journal of Cyber Policy听on international cybersecurity policy and governance.
Risks to Cybersecurity from Data Localization
SPA Cyber Professor Drew Bagley has co-authored a paper听on data localization policy efforts and their impact on cybersecurity.
