Graduate Certificate in Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience

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The Graduate Certificate in Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISR) equips professionals in military, law enforcement, emergency management and government contracting to lead preparedness and response efforts. Whether you are building foundational expertise, deepening a specialization, or positioning yourself for a leadership role, this credential signals dedicated, focused training to employers and opens doors at every stage of your career.

Three core courses ground you in the principles of homeland security, including terrorism, international security, and infrastructure protection, while elective options let you tailor your focus to areas like cyber intelligence, emerging technology and defense policy. Taught by expert practitioners, the 18-credit program can be completed in two semesters and serves as a direct pathway to GW's master's degree in Homeland Security.

Program at a Glance

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Custom Course Choices

Choose electives in areas like cyber intelligence, emerging technology, and defense policy to match your career path needs.

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Flexible Format

Courses are available in-person and online to fit your schedule.

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Career Advancement

Earn a credential that signals real expertise to employers in government, military, emergency management, and the private sector.

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Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate in Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, students will be able to:

• Identify strategies, policies and emerging trends in homeland security.
• Apply effective strategies to address homeland security challenges at the local, regional and national level.
• Evaluate how governmental, non-governmental and private-sector organizations work together in the homeland security field.

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Where You'll Study

The CISR Graduate Certificate is available in multiple formats so you can pursue your education without putting your career on hold.
 

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What You'll Study

 

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The Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISR) Graduate Certificate can be completed in as little as two semesters and includes 18 credits of coursework taught by expert practitioners with firsthand experience in government, military and the private sector.

For professionals already working in military, intelligence, law enforcement, emergency management or government contracting, the credential signals focused expertise and strengthens your qualifications for advancement. For those entering the homeland security field, it provides the knowledge and competitive edge employers are looking for.

The curriculum includes:

• 3 Required Courses grounding you in the core principles of homeland security, including political violence and terrorism, global threats and international security and infrastructure protection.
• 3 Elective Courses that let you tailor your focus to your career goals. Choose from areas such as cyber intelligence, emerging technologies in threat detection, information systems protection, cybersecurity law and policy and defense and cybersecurity policy.

Courses and Degree Requirements

About the Faculty & Advisory Board

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The program is taught by acknowledged experts in the field of homeland security, international security, intelligence and strategic analysis, emergency management and interagency cooperation.

Faculty

The program is taught by faculty from the homeland security program, the cybersecurity strategy and information management program, as well as faculty from GW's Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM). 

Homeland Security Faculty include: 

• Sean Blochberger
• Joshua Browne
• Jeff Delinski, Program Director, Homeland Security Programs
• Michael Dunaway
• Kathleen Harasek
• Scott Jones
• Elaine Lammert
• Gregory Morgan
• Eric Martin
• John Occhipinti
• Al Olagbemiro
• John Picarelli
• Rohin Sharma
• Maria Velez de Berliner
• Keith Williams

Cybersecurity Strategy & Information Management Faculty include: 

• Donna Bartee-Robertson
• James Cheeks II
• Daniel Sutherland
• Connie Peterson Uthoff, Program Director, Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management master’s degree program

Graduate School of Political Management Faculty include: 

• Dennis Wischmeier (GSPM/Legislative Affairs)
• Sean Farell (GSPM/Legislative Affairs)
• Dr. Natalia Dinello (GSPM/Global Perspectives Residency)

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board members of GW's Homeland Security programs are senior-level professionals with extensive operational and leadership experience with homeland security.  They provide support and advice to the programs, their curriculum, and the development of new initiatives.

• Bobby R. Baker, Jr., Principal CBRNE Training Specialist
• Robert Crane, Project Manager – Energy Sector, Institute for Homeland Security at Sam Houston State University in Texas
• Nairi Simonian Gruzenski, Associate Counsel, USCIS, Office of Chief Counsel, Strategic Litigation Division
• Greg Morgan, Lieutenant, Los Angeles Police Department
• Joshua Pena, Communication Strategy and Operations Officer, United States Marine Corps
• Nick Reese, Co-founder and COO at Frontier Foundry
• Shawn Royall, WMD SME, Octant Associates, LLC
• Alex Wibe, Defense Acquisitions Professional & Retired Naval Aviator 

 

Admissions Information

Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISR) must have a:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning or international equivalent
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

You’ll also have to complete our online application and submit the necessary required materials, including two letters of recommendation (academic or professional). If you need assistance, please contact us by emailing applycpsgwu [dot] edu (applycps[at]gwu[dot]edu).
 

Application Process

Costs & Aid

Our tuition and fees vary by program and location, generally increasing annually. This is an estimate based on current tuition rates and fee structures. Total tuition and fees will vary according to the courses taken and the timeframe in which you complete  your coursework.

Financial Aid Opportunities

2026-2027 Rates in Effect for Summer 2026, Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Terms

Tuition: 18 credits @ $1,506 per credit hour 6 courses, typically completed in 2 semesters	$27,108
Registration fees: 2 registration sessions @ $35 each	$70
TOTAL: Tuition + fees over the average completion time	$27,178 (approx.)

 

 

Other Costs to Consider:           

Application fee	$80
Textbooks:	$500 (approx.)
Matriculation fee (one time)	$259

 

Residency Accommodations

Students are responsible for the cost of their travel, meals, and accommodations (if applicable).

Benefits & Scholarships for Veterans

GW's Military & Veteran Services provides wide-ranging resources and support to the military community, including GW scholarships and assistance with benefits:

• VA Chapter Benefits;
• Yellow Ribbon Program;
• GW scholarships.

Since Military and Veterans Services was created in 2008, GW has been an annual recipient of the Military Friendly Award and is also annually recognized as a Military Times “Best for Vets” higher education institution.

Admissions Deadlines

Applicants that have complete applications are eligible to request an application fee waiver by 11:59 p.m. on the Priority Deadline.* To request an application fee waiver, contact your program representative before submitting your application. Fee waiver details. Applications received after the General Deadline will continue to be processed, space permitting.  

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Contacts

 

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Sarah Martin

Associate Director of Recruitment & Admissions
sarah [dot] martingwu [dot] edu (sarah[dot]martin[at]gwu[dot]edu)

 

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Jeff Delinski

Program Director
(703) 595-5487
jdelinskgwu [dot] edu (jdelinsk[at]gwu[dot]edu)