George Washington University, Law School
MSL in National Security and Cybersecurity Law
Washington, USA
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 2,743 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus, Blended, Distance Learning
* program is 24 credits total
Key Summary
About: GW Law's MSL in National Security and Cybersecurity Law trains non-lawyer professionals to know how law affects industry, policy, compliance, risk management, and cyber policy. It's for those not seeking a law degree or practice but who need legal knowledge for roles in government, corporations, or NGOs. Study full-time (complete in one year) or part-time; delivery is online, on-campus, or hybrid.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work in policy analysis, compliance, cybersecurity governance, risk management, contract management, intelligence support, or legal operations across government agencies, defense contractors, tech firms, and nonprofits. Career opportunities grow by pairing legal and technical expertise.
Gain a Professional Advantage
GW Law’s MSL in National Security and Cybersecurity helps meet the growing demand for non-lawyers to be familiar with the many ways that law influences industry. The MSL in National Security and Cybersecurity program is intended for professionals who are not interested in earning a law degree or practicing law but work in jobs where knowledge of the law is important. The knowledge gained can augment career preparation or professional advancement.
Learn At Your Pace
To ensure maximum flexibility, the program can accommodate both full-time students interested in completing the degree in one year and part-time students who may wish to take one or two courses a semester or summer session. Students can complete the program fully online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format.
Mandatory Courses – 8-9 Credits:
- National Security Law (6870) - 2 or 3 credits
- Cybersecurity Law and Policy (6879) - 2 credits and Technology Foundations for Cybersecurity (6884) - 1 credit; OR Cybersecurity Law and Technology (6890) - 3 credits
- Introduction to US Law and Legal Writing for MSL Students (6950) - 3 credits
5 Credits Required from the Following Cyber-Related Courses:
- Computer Crime (6369)
- Constitutional Law Seminar (Cyber, Privacy, & Speech) (6399)
- Telecommunications Law (6414)
- Public Law Seminar (Telecommunication & Technology) (6426)
- Computer Law (6484)
- Law in Cyberspace (6485)
- Information Privacy Law (6486)
- Internet Law (6493)
- Selected Topics in Government Contracts (Government Procurement of Technology) (6513)
- Space Law (6548)
- Intelligence Law (6878)
- Artificial Intelligence Law & Policy (6881)
- Counterintelligence Law & Policy (6883)
- Foreign Access to US Technology (6891)
- Selected Topics in Cybersecurity Law (Cybersecurity in the United Nations) (6892)
- Disinformation, National Security, & Cybersecurity: Overview & Legal Approaches (6893)
- Blockchain: Law, Policy & Cybersecurity (6894)
- Global Privacy Law & Conflict Seminar (6895)
- Consumer Privacy and Data Protection: Regulatory Approaches (6896)
- Cybersecurity Law Crisis Challenges: Protecting Critical Infrastructure, Risk Management, and Incident Response (6898)
At least 8 Credits Required of National Security-Related Courses. Program total is 24 credits.
- Professional Responsibility & Ethics (National Security) (6218)
- Litigation with the Federal Government (6240)
- Role of the Federal Prosecutor (6363)
- Immigration Criminal Enforcement (6367)
- Law of Separation of Powers (6384)
- Legislation (6416)
- Legislative Analysis & Drafting (6418)
- Congressional Investigations Seminar (6420)
- Veterans Law (6423)
- Veterans Advocacy (6428)
- International Law (6520)
- International Money Laundering, Corruption, & Terrorism (6521)
- Immigration Law I (6538)
- Refugee and Asylum Law (6540)
- International Human Rights Law (6546)
- Law of the Sea (6550)
- Law of War (6552)
- U.S. Export Control Law and Regulation (6553)
- International Criminal Law (6554)
- Nation Building & the Rule of Law (6559)
- Selected Topics in Public International Law (6561)
- Public International Law Seminar (Arms Control) (6562)
- Human Trafficking Law (6572)
- Legal Drafting (National Security) (6652)
- Selected Topics in National Security Law (Law of Secrecy) (6869)
- Selected Topics in National Security Law (6869)
- Selected Topics in National Security Law (The Law of War, Civilian Harm Mitigation, and Response) (6869)
- U.S. Foreign Relations Law (6871)
- National Security Law Seminar (6872)
- Military Justice (6873)
- Comparative Military Law (6874)
- Counterterrorism Law (6875)
- Homeland Security Law and Policy (6876)
- Nuclear Nonproliferation Law and Policy (6877)
- The Law of Emergencies: Natural Disasters, Climate Crises, Pandemics, and Beyond (6880)
- Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (6882)
- Transnational Security (6885)
- Domestic Terrorism (6886)
- Problems Trying Terrorists in Article III Courts (6887)
- Crisis and Legal Controversy in the CIA (6888)
- Aviation Law and National Security (6889)
- Foreign Direct Investment Law: The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. and National Security (6897)
- International Investigations, Modern Politics, and the Office of the Inspector General (6899)