Graduate Certificate in Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Program Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Infrastructure Security (CISR) and Resilience 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.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 9 credits in required courses and 9 credits in electives. All courses are 3 credits.

Required Courses

PSHS 6240: Political Violence and Terrorism: The evolution of terrorism and politically motivated violence; causes and origins in regional, national, and international terrorist and insurgent groups and so-called terrorist states; trends in terrorist modus operandi, including asymmetric attacks; formulating effective counterterrorist strategies.
PSHS 6241: Globalization of Threats and International Security: The intersection of globalization and national and international security; how globalization may create new threats while amplifying existing threats; the relationship of specific forms of globalized threat to globalization; responses of states and non-state actors to such threats; the role of international organizations.
PSHS 6261: Infrastructure Security and Protection: Critical infrastructure sectors, the risk environment, networks and partnerships to facilitate information sharing, and measures and countermeasures to secure and protect critical infrastructure.

Elective Courses

PSHS 6243: Intelligence and Strategic Analysis: The structure and components of the national intelligence community and law enforcement communities; international intelligence comparison; analysis of intelligence policies and strategies at the international, national, and regional levels.
PSHS 6262: Emerging Technology in Threat Detection and Response: Emerging technologies in homeland security, including evaluating and developing strategies for threat detection and response in a rapidly changing environment.
PSHS 6244: Information Systems Protection: Exploration of the major areas of information security including risk management, cybercrime, cyber conflict, and the technologies involved in both cyberattacks and information systems protection; creating, implementing, and maintaining an information security program; root causes of insecurity in information systems.
PSCS 6246: Cyber Intelligence and Strategic Analysis: National and international cyber strategies, law, and policy as they relate to cyber intelligence efforts with a review of current cyber threats to national security; identification of strategic, operational, and tactical cyber intelligence efforts, the cyber threat landscape, and intelligence-led policing relative to cyber enforcement and investigation.
PSCS 6245: Cybersecurity Law and Policy: Law and policy perspectives on the federal government's response to cyber threats; legal concepts relating to investigation and enforcement activities; application of traditional laws of armed conflict in cyberspace; and national security concerns.
LGAF 6261: Congress and Defense Policy: The role of Congress in U.S. defense policy.
LGAF 6263: Congress and Cybersecurity Policy: The role of Congress in U.S. cybersecurity policy.
CPS 6200: Global Perspectives Residency: For more information about current offerings please visit the Global Perspectives Residency website.
PSHS 6263: Advanced Topics in Homeland Security: Topics vary by semester.