National Security & Cybersecurity Law

This 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. Courses in this practice area explore the use of the internet and technologies, as well as sophisticated cyber actors and nation-states and how they exploit vulnerabilities, steal information and money, and develop methods to disrupt, destroy, or threaten essential services. The field includes law on the use of securing the critical cyber infrastructure, cyber breaches, armed forces and intelligence operations abroad, counterterrorism, homeland security, management of crises, congressional oversight, and classified information. The two foundational survey courses are National Security Law and Cybersecurity Law and Policy. The remaining advanced courses pursue in greater detail issues raised in the survey courses.

 

JD Concentration

JD candidates may earn Recognition of a JD Concentration in National Security and Cybersecurity Law by successfully completing (i.e., receiving a grade of C- or better) 14 credits of coursework in National Security and Cybersecurity Law (listed below), including the following required courses — National Security Law (6870), Cybersecurity Law and Policy (6879), and Technology Foundations for Cybersecurity (6884) or National Security Law (6870) and Cybersecurity Law and Technology (6890)  —and four cyber law credits from the Advanced Courses listed below plus two credits graded on the basis of a research paper that meets the standards for the law school’s legal writing requirement, either written in conjunction with one of the required, advanced, or additional courses in the practice area or, with advance approval of the program director, written for a journal, independent legal writing, or a course that is not included in the Bulletin list on a national security and cybersecurity law topic. Up to two credits earned through a national security-related Field Placement (6668) may count toward the concentration credits, with approval of the program director. (Students who have a background in information technology may submit a request to the program director to obtain a waiver from Technology Foundations enrollment.) Note: students cannot obtain concentrations in both National Security and Cybersecurity Law and International and Comparative Law or concentrations in both National Security and U.S. Foreign Relations Law and National Security and Cybersecurity Law.

Courses

**For 2022–2023, Public International Law Seminars may include Arms Control; National Security Law Seminars may include Internal Investigations, Modern Politics, and the Office of the Inspector General; Selected Topics in National Security Law may include Guantanamo Bay Detention: Ethics, Law & Policy, Law of Secrecy, and Contemporary Armed Conflict; and Selected Topics in Cybersecurity Law may include Cybersecurity: Risk Management and Incident Response.

Declare Your Concentration

For JDs who would like to formally declare a National Security & Cybersecurity Law concentration, please visit the GW Law Forms webpage and fill out the JD Concentration Declare/Withdraw Form for the Records Office.

Fill out the Family Law Concentration Form

LLM Degree

For those who have already earned a JD, a Master of Laws (LLM) is offered in National Security and Cybersecurity Law.

All candidates for the LLM degree must complete a total of 24 credit hours, including coursework that satisfies the written work requirement. Those working towards a specialized degree must complete the minimum required number of hours in courses listed for that program. Related courses are recommended for the remaining course work.

Learn more about an LLM in National Security & Cybersecurity Law

 

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Master of Studies in Law

A Master of Studies in Law (MSL), a degree designed for non-lawyers interested in law, can now be received with a concentration in Cybersecurity.

NS&Cyber Law Study Plan (MSL)