Online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance

We are now accepting master's program applications for our summer and fall semester start dates. For more details on online application deadlines and start dates, refer to the academic calendar.

Program Description

The online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Policy and Compliance is an advanced cybersecurity degree designed to blend technology, law, and policy within the realm of cybersecurity. This cybersecurity degree program is tailored for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of the legal, ethical, and policy aspects of current and emerging computer security threats and cybersecurity. Students explore a wide range of topics, including information security governance, regulatory framework, and compliance standards. Risk and response planning, penetration testing, data privacy laws, fraud detection, and ethical considerations in cybersecurity are also covered.

Tailored to meet NSA Center of Academic Excellence guidelines, this multidisciplinary, accelerated program is designed to equip graduates with the academic quality and practical skills needed to navigate the complex landscape of computer security threats and cybersecurity policy—ultimately to becoming valuable assets to organizations that require extensive real-world experience in aligning security practices with legal and regulatory obligations. Armed with a rigorous advanced degree and vast professional network, graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in cybersecurity policy development, compliance management, and advisory positions in both the public and private sectors.

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 interdisciplinary program consists of 10 courses (three credit hours each), totaling 30 required credit hours. Its online course structure offers synchronous and asynchronous learning options. This gives students the flexibility to study at their convenience and from any location. 

Learn More About the Courses

CSCI 6012 Cybersecurity and Privacy: Overview of cybersecurity and privacy, including cryptography, authentication, malware, viruses, network security, anonymity, privacy and online privacy, risk management. Common cyberattacks and techniques for detection and defense. Policy and legal perspectives for managing cybersecurity missions supporting the private sector and government. Cyber technologies as applied to the stability of global information and communications infrastructure; government cybersecurity policies. (3 credit hours)

CSCI 6013 Security in Mobile Computing: Relationship between security strategic plan and business strategic plan. Mobile Device Solutions (MDS) to access enterprise corporate data. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) paradigm. Mobile Device Management (MDM) best practices, policies, network controls to identify countermeasures and risk mitigation strategies against common threats. Overview of mobile security solutions for classified processing and communications. Prerequisite: CSCI 6012. (3 credit hours)

CSCI 6532 Information Policy: Roles, issues and impacts of computer-based information systems in national and international arenas, focusing on privacy, equity, freedom of speech, intellectual property and access to personal and governmental information. Professional responsibilities, ethics and common and best practices in information use. (3 credit hours)

CSCI 6534 Information Security in Government: Roles, issues, and governance of cyber security in the federal government. Overview of the technical aspects of cyber security including federally developed cybersecurity standards and frameworks and government and industry initiatives. (3 credit hours)

ECE 6132 Secure Cloud Computing: A comprehensive guide to security concerns and best practices for cloud computing and cloud services. Topics discussed include cloud computing architectures, risk issues and legal topics, data security, internal and external clouds, information security frameworks and operational guidelines. Offered as arranged. Restricted to students in the MEng in cybersecurity policy and compliance program. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6540 Management of Information and Systems Security: Information security techniques and countermeasures in defense fundamentals; critical infrastructure protection; network defense–firewall systems and IDS, VPNs, cryptographic and internet security protocols and cyber security, information assurance.  (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6542 Cybersecurity Risk Management and Compliance: Cybersecurity threats and other risks to an organization’s core business; risk-based planning and risk management of cybersecurity at the enterprise level; risk assessment and modeling approaches to cybersecurity issues related to security structures, sustaining healthy cybersecurity posture, and satisfying compliance with risk frameworks. Prerequisite: EMSE 6540. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6543 Managing the Protection of Information Assets and Systems: Advanced topics in protection of information assets and systems, including authentication, asset control, security models and kernels, physical security, personnel security, operational security, administrative security, security configuration management and resource control. Prerequisite: EMSE 6540. (3 credit hours) 

EMSE 6544 Auditing, Monitoring and Intrusion Detection for Information Security Managers: Methods for detecting problems with unauthorized activity in information systems and management challenges associated with those activities. Prerequisite: EMSE 6540 (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6546 Cybercrime for Information Security Managers: Information security actions related to and in response to criminal activity, including industrial espionage, back-hacking, cracking, and cyberterrorism. Transnational issues, cybercrime treaties and conventions, and cyberwar issues. (3 credit hours)

Academic Calendar

Our classes meet one night a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays) for nine weeks from 6:30 to 9:50 PM Eastern time.  Students enroll in four 9-week sessions. There is also an optional fifth summer session (classes meet twice a week for four and half weeks). Students may begin their studies in any of the five sessions.  Please see below for the dates of our upcoming sessions.

Session	Dates	Application Deadlines
Spring-1 2025	week of 1/6/25 – week of 3/3/25	12/1/2024
Spring-2 2025	week of 3/10/25 – week of 5/5/25	2/14/2025
Summer 2025	week of 5/27/25 – week of 6/23/25	5/1/2025
Fall-1 2025	week of 8/11/25 – week of 10/6/25	7/28/2025
Fall-2 2025	week of 10/13/25 – week of 12/8/25	9/29/2025

The course order is determined by advisors based on student progress toward completion of the curriculum. Course details will be provided to students via email approximately one month prior to the start of classes.

Tuition

Tuition is $1,200 per credit hour for the 2024-2025 academic year.  Tuition is billed at the beginning of each semester for the courses registered during that semester.  A non-refundable tuition deposit of $495 is required when the applicant accepts admission.  This deposit is applied to tuition and due the first semester.  Our online graduate degree programs in engineering require no additional fees.  We provide eBooks and software at no additional cost. We also urge prospective military students (veterans, dependents, and military personnel) to request information about military benefits to our program.

 

Admissions Process

Review the Admissions Requirements 

Ideal candidates for the programs will meet the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
  • Applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA may also apply. Upon a holistic review of application materials, a conditional acceptance may be given to applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA.
• If you’re applying from outside the U.S., please see international student admissions information for additional requirements.

Note: GW considers a candidate’s entire background when reaching an admissions decision. Applicants who do not meet all the requirements may still be eligible for admission. Their records will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Apply for Admission and Submit Supporting Documents

Apply for Admission
 There is no application fee for any GW online engineering program. 

Complete application packets include:

• Resume or C.V.: Upload your up-to-date resume or C.V.
• Statement of Purpose: In an essay of 250 words or less, describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also, discuss any other related qualifications not already mentioned, such as collegiate, professional, or community activities.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all institutions where a degree was earned. Transcripts should be sent to [email protected] (if sent electronically), or via mail to:
  Online Engineering Programs
  The George Washington University
  170 Newport Center Drive
  Suite 260
  Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation are required, and one must be from a professional reference. Begin this process by filling out this letter of recommendation form. Within this form you will share the email address of the individual providing your recommendation. Once you complete your required section, Formstack will send that individual a link to the letter of recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is only considered official when it is sent directly from the individual providing the recommendation through Formstack. Submissions directly from applicants will not be accepted.
• GRE Scores: GRE scores are not required but if available, should be submitted to enhance your application.

Remain Engaged in the Admissions Process

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

View a previously recorded info-session