Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Policy

One need look no further than recent headlines for a plethora of examples demonstrating the need for government and industry leaders who understand how to develop, interpret, and apply cybersecurity policy. The diverse set of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to do this successfully cannot come from a predominately technology-focused curriculum. This certificate will prepare students from a variety of backgrounds to be both tech-savvy and socially-aware in implementing policies that affect cyber security, privacy, and safety in the modern age.

Learning Outcomes: Students who complete this certificate will be able to

• Examine risks posed by cyber threats to individuals, organizations, and society.
• Critique prevailing national and international strategies for protecting cyberspace.
• Integrate legal and ethical factors in policy and technical strategies to address cyber and data threats.
• Analyze and implement legal requirements that affect the management of information, data, and defenses across multiple regulatory platforms.
• Address National Security issues from multiple public and private perspectives.
• Create technologies that meet the standards of privacy and security by design.

The target audience is professionals in organizations or fields that would need cybersecurity policy administration and would pursue the certification for job knowledge and career enhancement. Those students will be admitted as non-degree seeking, MIT-Commonwealth students.

We also expect graduate students, full- or part-time and currently enrolled in a VT graduate degree program related to cybersecurity policy, to be interested in adding this certification as a supplement to their degree.

How To Apply:

External applications should complete the VT-MIT online application as a certificate-seeking student at https://vtmit.vt.edu/admissions/apply-now.html

MIT Graduate Certificates

Admissions Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Policy

Virginia Tech requires admission to the Graduate School and completion of a Graduate Certificate Application for both degree- and non-degree seeking certificate applicants. 

Degree-seeking applicants: The Graduate School requires completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or greater for admission to Certificate Status. MIT applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 may qualify for Commonwealth Campus admission and will need to comply with MIT requirements of Commonwealth Campus status prior to admission to Certificate Status. Students pursuing a degree and a certificate simultaneously are classified within their degree program.

For students interested in pursuing both the MIT degree and the certificate(s), no more than fifty percent of certificate courses will be included toward completion of the MIT degree. 

Non-degree seeking applicants: Applicants that wish to obtain a graduate certificate only, without being enrolled in a VT degree program, may apply by completing an abbreviated application to MIT's Certificate program. The Graduate Certificate Application Form is required after admission.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Earn a GPA of 3.0 or greater or credits earned during the last half of their undergraduate degree.

• Submit official transcripts.

• Meet the academic background requirements of the admitting academic unit.

• International Applicants must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

• Earn a minimum TOEFL score of 577 paper-based (PBT) or 90 internet-based test (iBT). For the iBT, earn a minimum of 20 on each subject test (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing).

• Earn a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.

• Some departments have higher TOEFL or IELTS score requirements than those set by the Graduate School.

Course Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Policy

Number of Credit Hours: 

A total of nine credit hours are required. Transfer credits are not permitted. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the designated courses.

Required Courses: 

BIT 5114 Crime and Conflict in Cyberspace: In-depth exploration of the cyber threat landscape and the motives, methods, and mechanisms that shape it. Complex and evolving nature of security, privacy, and safety in cyberspace. Consequences posed by cyber threats at the individual, corporate, and national, and societal levels. Cyber threat research and analysis. National and international strategies for protecting cyberspace.

BIT 5594 Web Applications and Electronic Commerce: An examination of the concepts, technologies, and applications of electronic commerce. Topics include the World Wide Web as a platform for electronic commerce; intranets; electronic data interchange; electronic banking and payment systems; security and firewalls; software agents; and the social, legal, and international issues of electronic commerce.