Online Doctor of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics

We are now accepting applications for the cohort beginning in January 2025. Applications for the Janauary 2025 cohort is now closed. Applications for the August 2025 cohort will open in January.

Program Description 

The Doctor of Engineering in Cybersecurity Analytics grants students extensive knowledge of cutting-edge cybersecurity techniques, tools, and their real-world applications. Graduates  are well-equipped to conduct research and lead cybersecurity projects and teams in various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and more. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate complex cybersecurity concepts to diverse audiences, making them well-suited for leadership positions and academic teaching roles.

GW is federally designated as a National Center of Excellence for Cyber Defense Research. The GW Cyber Security and Privacy Research Institute (CSPRI) is the home for major information assurance and cybersecurity scholarship programs. The CSPRI is funded by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation.

Curriculum

The degree requires completion of eight graduate-level courses (listed below) and a minimum of 24 credit hours of Praxis Research (SEAS 8188). During the research phase, the student writes and defends a research praxis on a topic related to Cybersecurity Analytics. The topic is selected by the student and approved by the research advising committee.

Learn More About the Courses

CSCI 6015 Cyber Forensics: Acquiring, preserving and analyzing digitally stored information while ensuring that this information is admissible as evidence in a court of law. Principles and techniques for cyber forensics investigations using industry-standard forensic process.

SEAS 8400 Challenges in Cybersecurity: Introduction to most common types of attacks, e.g., ransomware attacks, IoT attacks, cloud attacks, phishing attacks, blockchain and cryptocurrency attacks, software vulnerabilities, BYOD policies, and insider attacks, as well as analytical techniques of their mitigation.

SEAS 8405 Cybersecurity Architectures: Introduction to traditional network-centric cybersecurity (i.e., Defense in Depth) and emerging cybersecurity architecture models including DevSecOps, Cloud-native, and risk adaptive (Zero Trust Architecture) structures. Discussion of the benefits and challenges of these models, alignment with MITRE frameworks, and how they support the business/mission outcomes of an organization.

SEAS 8410 Security Data Analysis & Visualization: Visualization aspect of security data, including study of data analytics and scaling up information security, security metrics and security monitoring techniques focusing on industry applications. Tools for security data visualization and analytics.

SEAS 8414 Analytical Tools for Cyber Analytics: Survey of analytical tools for analyzing cybersecurity data with particular attention to the use of data analytics procedures in supporting appropriate cybersecurity policy decisions

SEAS 8415 Applied Cryptography and Data Protection: Introduction to cryptographic techniques, case studies for real-life applications of modern crypto-graphic solutions, classical cryptographical algorithms (AES, RSA, RC4) and techniques (symmetric, asymmetric-public key cryptography, hash functions), digital signatures, key management, and distribution. Advanced topics such as zero-knowledge proofs and zero-trust architectures.

SEAS 8416 Python Tools for Cybersecurity: Learning Python & and its role in cybersecurity. Perform secure coding, network analysis, cryptography, malware analysis, and automation of cybersecurity tasks using Python.

SEAS 8499 Praxis Development for Cybersecurity: Overview of research methods. Aims and purpose of the praxis. Development of praxis research strategies, formulation, and defense of a praxis proposal. Praxis proposal defense must be passed before the student is admitted to degree candidacy to undertake praxis work.

SEAS 8188 Praxis Research for Doctor of Engineering in Cyber Analytics: Independent applied research in cybersecurity culminating in the final praxis report and final examination for the degree of Doctor of Engineering.

Classroom Phase Schedule

Classroom courses last 10 weeks each and meet on Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM—12:10 PM and afternoons from 1:00—4:10 PM (all times Eastern). All classes meet live online through synchronous distance learning technologies (Zoom). All classes are recorded and available for viewing within two hours of the lecture. This program is taught in a cohort format in which students take all courses in lockstep. Courses cannot be taken out of sequence, live attendance at all class meetings is expected, and students must remain continuously enrolled. Leaves of absence are permitted only in the case of a medical or family emergency, or deployment to active military duty. 

Please see below for the dates of our upcoming cohort.

Semester	Session	#Credit Hours	Tentative Dates
Spring 2025	1	6	January 4 — March 8, 2025
Spring 2025	2	6	March 22 — May 31, 2025
Summer 2025	-	6	June 14 — August 23, 2025
Fall 2025	1	6	September 6 — November 8, 2025

No classes on  Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends 

Research Phase Schedule

To proceed to the research phase, students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.2 in the eight classroom courses, and no grade below B-. Students are then registered for a minimum of 24 credit hours of SEAS 8188 Praxis Research: 3 ch in Fall 2025 (Session 2), 9 ch in Spring 2026, 3 ch in Summer 2026, and 9 ch in Fall 2026. Throughout the research phase, students develop the praxis under the guidance of a designated faculty advisor. Faculty research advisors are assigned by the program office and meet individually with students every two weeks.

 

Sample research areas are listed below:

• Addressing the Cybersecurity Malicious Insider Threat
• Exploring Cybersecurity Requirements in the Defense Acquisition Process
• Internet of Things Device Cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity of Networked Home Medical Devices
• Cybersecurity Challenges in Healthcare Industries 

Tuition

Tuition is billed at $1650 per credit hour for the 2024-2025 year. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $995, which is applied to tuition in the first semester, is required when the student accepts admission.

Admissions Process

Review the Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, applied science, business, computer science, information technology, or a related field from accredited institutions.
• Applicants with other majors are encouraged to apply. However, they may have to take EMSE 4197 as a prerequisite course if they have not completed two college-level calculus courses.
• A minimum graduate-level GPA of 3.2
• Capacity for original scholarship.
• TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE scores are required of all applicants who are not citizens of countries where English is the official language.  Check our International Students Page to learn about the SEAS English language requirements and exemption policy. Test scores may not be more than two years old.

Note: GRE and GMAT scores are not required.

Please note that our doctoral programs are highly selective; meeting minimum admissions requirements does not guarantee admission.  

Apply for Admission and Submit Supporting Documents

Apply for Admission

• Attach up-to-date Resume
• Attach Statement of Purpose – In an essay of 250 words or less, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study at The George Washington University. Describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Discuss your qualifications including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not mentioned.
• Send Official Transcripts – Official transcripts are required from all institutions where a degree was earned. Transcripts should be sent electronically to [email protected] or via mail to:
  • Online Engineering Programs 
    The George Washington University
    170 Newport Center Drive
    Suite 260
    Newport Beach, CA 92660

Normally, all transcripts must be received before an admission decision is rendered for the Doctor of Engineering program. 

Remain Engaged in the Admissions Process

You will receive emails from us updating you as your application goes through the admissions process.