Cybersecurity Law, Policy and Management Graduate Certificate
Effective cybersecurity solutions require more than technical expertise.
Cybersecurity requires a strong understanding of law and policy. This 15-credit graduate certificate gives you the tools to lead in a fast-changing field.
Designed for working professionals, the program is fully online and can be completed in about a year. Whether you are a manager, technologist, attorney or recent graduate, you will build the skills to handle cybersecurity challenges with confidence.
Program Highlights
This certificate is designed for individuals who want to strengthen their understanding of cybersecurity while gaining the legal, policy and management skills to lead in this rapidly evolving field.
Curriculum
Students complete 15 credit hours to earn the Cybersecurity, Law, and Policy Management (CLPM) Certificate. All students are required to take Introduction to Cybersecurity through the College of Engineering. From there, students select four additional courses. At least three must be from the core course list, and one elective may be substituted.
The certificate is designed to serve:
- Professional managers seeking specialized training in cybersecurity
- Managers considering a career shift into the field
- Technologists looking to complement technical skills with policy and management expertise
- Qualified recent graduates aiming to begin careers in cybersecurity
- Attorneys interested in cybersecurity law and management
The program can typically be completed in three to four semesters.
ECE 5661/CSE 5471 - Introduction to Cybersecurity (3 credits)
A required course for all students. Covers technical foundations of cybersecurity including data, software, network, and system security, with attention to organizational and societal contexts and human factors.
PUBAFRS 5510 - Cybersecurity Law, Management, and Policy (3 credits)
Learn to design and manage cybersecurity systems through legal, policy, and managerial lenses.
New cybersecurity course
PUBAFRS 5570 - Data & Information Governance (3 credits)
Explore governance frameworks and strategies for securing data and information systems.
New cybersecurity course
LAW 7804 - Law of Cyberspace (3 credits)
Survey the legal landscape of internet technologies, privacy, speech, and digital innovation.
LAW 7805 - Data Privacy, Cybersecurity Regulation and Compliance (3 credits)
Focus on legal frameworks and operational management of cybersecurity regulation and data protection.
Students may substitute one elective for a core course.
- PUBAFRS 5770 - Risk and Decision Analysis (3 credits)
- PUBAFRS 6050 - Managing Public Organizations (4 credits)
- PUBAFRS 6055 - Judgment in Managerial Decision-Making (2 credits)
- PUBAFRS 6530 - Negotiation (1 credit)
- PUBAFRS 7553 - Nonprofit Management and Governance (3 credits)
- PUBAFRS 7555 - Project Management (3 credits)
- PUBAFRS 7600 - Federal Policy and Management (3 credits)
Application
Who’s eligible? Public, nonprofit or private sector professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Application Deadlines:
- Spring entry: November 1, 2025
- Summer entry: March 1, 2026
- Autumn entry: June 1, 2026
Application Fees:
- $60 for domestic applicants
- $70 for international applicants (nonrefundable)
- OSU alumni applying to an online degree may qualify for an application fee waiver.
- Apply via the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions, selecting “Certificate and Licensure programs”.
- Program Codes: CYBSC3A-CR (Stand-alone certificate), CYBSC3B-CR (Embedded certificate)
- After applying, you can check your status 2–3 days later at appstatus.osu.edu.
- Application will be live soon
- Statement of Purpose: No length specified. Describe your academic and career aspirations, why you're pursuing this certificate and fit with the Glenn College.
- Resume or CV: Including work experience, volunteer activities, academic honors, publications, leadership roles, etc.
- Letters of Recommendation: Not required if your most recent degree GPA is 3.0 or above; otherwise, one letter is required.
- Transcripts: Upload transcripts from all institutions attended. (Ohio State coursework is exempt.) Official transcripts will be required upon admission; self-reported transcripts or advising reports are not acceptable.
- GRE: Not required.
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