Helicopter shot of the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. MSL: National Security and Cybersecurity Law
MSL: National Security and Cybersecurity Law

MSL: National Security and Cybersecurity Law

 

Become equipped to navigate the laws around national security and cybersecurity.

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Overview

The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a graduate degree designed for professionals who want to gain legal knowledge without becoming attorneys. In the National Security and Cybersecurity Law concentration, the program prepares students to address urgent legal and policy challenges by offering:

  • Training to confront vulnerabilities from physical and cyber threats that can destabilize societies and compromise essential services.
  • Exploration of national security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, big data, and emerging technologies.
  • Expertise in safeguarding critical infrastructure and addressing issues in counterterrorism, homeland security, crisis management, congressional oversight, and classified information.
  • Preparation to lead at the forefront of global security, protecting nations, corporations, and individuals in an era defined by technology and risk.

Located in the heart of Washington, DC, GW Law offers unparalleled access to the federal agencies, courts, and policy organizations that shape the nation’s national security and cybersecurity landscape. Students benefit from proximity to government institutions, industry leaders, and professional networks that bring classroom learning to life — opening doors to unique career opportunities in cyber defense, intelligence, and security policy.

 

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Program at a Glance

  24 Credits
1-2 Years
Program Duration
(Full-Time/Part-Time)

  Online,
On-Campus, or Hybrid
Format

  June 1, 2026
Fall 2026 Application Deadline

  $63,600 + fees
Approximate Tuition

 

 

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What is National Security and Cybersecurity Law?

The practice area has evolved with the world's increased connectivity through the use of modern technology and cyberspace and the accompanying growing vulnerabilities from physical and cyber threats. The field includes law on the use of securing critical cyber infrastructure, cyber breaches, armed forces, and intelligence operations abroad, counterterrorism, homeland security, management of crises, congressional oversight, and classified information.

 

 

  

Convenient

Attend class in convenient learning formats: On-Campus or Online; Part-Time & Full-Time options

  

No Law Degree Required

A law degree is not required to earn an MSL degree

  

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Curriculum

Students are required to complete 8 to 9 credits of core courses, five credits of cyber-related courses, and eight credits of national security or cyber-related courses.

Core CoursesCreditsSemester
Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Writing for MSL Students (6950)3 credits 
 
National Security Law (6870)2-3 credits 
Cybersecurity Law and Policy (6879)2 credits 
Technology Foundations for Cybersecurity (6884)1 credit 
Or
Cybersecurity Law and Technology (6890)3 credits 
U.S. Foreign Relations Law (6871)2-3 credits 


Elective course options include:

  • Internet Law
  • AI Law and Policy
  • Foreign Access to U.S. Technology
  • Information Privacy Law
  • Consumer Privacy and Data Protection
  • Cybersecurity Law Crisis Challenges
  • International Law of Human Rights
  • Anti-Corruption and Compliance
  • Blockchain Law

 

 

Career Outcomes

With five million job openings in 2022 and a 20.8% job growth projection by 2032, MSL graduates can propel their careers in government, nonprofit and for-profit sectors. This concentration will appeal to those with career goals in government-related technology, cybersecurity, and AI fields.
 

OccupationSalary
Information security analyst$112,008
Data scientist$103,501
Computer systems analyst$102,232
Software developer$127,254
Computer and information systems manager$164,070

Source: Lightcast, 2024

 

 

 

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Alumni/Student Name
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Contact MSL Admissions: msladmissionsatlaw [dot] gwu [dot] edu (msladmissions[at]law[dot]gwu[dot]edu) | 202.994.2705