Cybersecurity Law, Policy, and Management Graduate Certificate
November 1, 2025
January 12, 2026
Advance your career with Ohio State’s online certificate in cybersecurity law, policy and management.
As digital threats evolve, cybersecurity has emerged as a challenge that involves not just technology, but also law, policy and management. The graduate certificate in Cybersecurity Law, Policy and Management (CLPM) from The Ohio State University equips you with the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to lead in this critical field.
Designed for working professionals, this 15-credit, fully online graduate certificate can be completed in as little as three semesters or 1 year.
Whether you’re a manager, technologist, attorney or recent graduate, this program prepares you to navigate the complex legal and policy landscape of cybersecurity while implementing effective organizational strategies.
Why choose Ohio State for Cybersecurity Law and Policy?
When you choose Ohio State, you’re joining a university with nationally recognized leaders in both public affairs and law. The online Cybersecurity Law, Policy and Management Graduate Certificate was developed in collaboration with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Moritz College of Law, ranked #16 and #28 respectively by U.S. News & World Report in 2025. This unique program brings together top-tier faculty and interdisciplinary expertise to deliver a program that blends data, software and systems security with relevant legal, policy and management perspectives. As the only online certificate of its kind in Ohio, the CLPM program offers a flexible, fully online format designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers in a growing field.
Frequently Asked Questions
This certificate is designed for professionals like you, who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree and want to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity from legal, policy and management perspectives. This certificate could be a great fit for you if you fall into one of these areas:
- Public, nonprofit or private sector manager responsible for cybersecurity strategy or compliance, looking to strengthen your expertise
- Technologist or IT professional aiming to expand your knowledge of governance, law and policy
- Attorney or legal professional interested in specializing in cybersecurity law and regulation
- Career changer or recent graduate ready to enter the cybersecurity field with a strong, multidisciplinary foundation
No. While the program includes an introductory course in cybersecurity fundamentals, it is designed for professionals from a variety of fields, including law, public policy and management.
This certificate equips you with the knowledge and skills to take on leadership roles in cybersecurity governance, compliance, and strategy. Common job titles include Cybersecurity Policy Analyst, Privacy Compliance Officer, Risk and Governance Manager and Cybersecurity Legal Advisor.
Yes, 100% of credits earned are fully transferrable into the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL). Law course credits are 100% transferable to the Master in the Study of Law degree, along with up to 6 other credits from this certificate.
Related Programs
Accelerate your career with one of our other public affairs programs. All certificate credits transfer into either the Master of Public Administration or the Master of Public Administration and Leadership program. Law course credits in this program are 100% transferable to the Master in the Study of Law degree, along with up to 6 other credits. Whether you’re exploring professional development opportunities or building a strong foundation for a master’s degree, our programs offer in-demand skills in a flexible format.
Related Programs
Accelerate your career with one of our other public affairs programs. All certificate credits transfer into either the Master of Public Administration or the Master of Public Administration and Leadership program. Law course credits in this program are 100% transferable to the Master in the Study of Law degree, along with up to 6 other credits. Whether you’re exploring professional development opportunities or building a strong foundation for a master’s degree, our programs offer in-demand skills in a flexible format.
Master in the Study of Law
Gain a deeper understanding of the legal landscape, critical thinking skills, and professional insight to advance in your current role or explore new career paths.
Public Management Graduate Certificate
Advance public management skills and prepare for leadership roles.
Federal Policy and Management Graduate Certificate
Learn to skillfully navigate the federal policy environment.
Academic Calendar
You can enroll in the Cybersecurity Law, Policy, and Management Graduate Certificate year-round. Start your program in Spring, Summer, or Autumn with application deadlines in November, March, and June.
Academic Calendar
You can enroll in the Cybersecurity Law, Policy, and Management Graduate Certificate year-round. Start your program in Spring, Summer, or Autumn with application deadlines in November, March, and June.
Admission Criteria
To qualify for this graduate certificate, you must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA highly recommended
For your application, you will be required to submit:
- College transcript(s)
- If your GPA is below a 3.0, then one letter of recommendation is required for consideration
- Statement of purpose: Include articulation of how this certificate is consistent with your professional goals.
- Resume or CV
- If you graduated from an international undergraduate institution, it is recommended to score at least a 100 in the TOEFL iBT
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the U.S., with job openings increasing by over 80% since 2010. As threats grow more complex, so does the demand for professionals who understand the intersection of law, policy and technology.
Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.
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National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. An up or down arrow indicates projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
In this program, you will start with an Introduction to Cybersecurity course offered by the College of Engineering followed by four more courses. Three of those courses must be core courses. One of these courses can be an elective of your choice to substitute for a core course. Glenn College courses will be taught online asynchronously. Moritz College courses will be taught online asynchronously (with a live first meeting).
This course will provide you with an introduction to cybersecurity. Learn technical fundamentals of data, software, component, network and system security. Explore cybersecurity from an organizational and societal viewpoint, including human factors.
Learn how to design and manage a robust cybersecurity architecture using law, policy, and management.
Learn the concepts and skills to manage cybersecurity from a data governance perspective.
Confront the cutting-edge legal issues that arise from technological change and the Internet.
Examine the legal, policy, and operational management issues related to data privacy and data protection.
Electives
You have the option of taking one elective course in lieu of one core course above. Introduction to Cybersecurity is required.
Negotiation skills have been identified as critical for effective, successful public management and leadership. This course explores the major concepts and theories of negotiation to improve negotiation skills. Through readings, role play exercises and class discussion, students develop an understanding of individual negotiation styles, core approaches to negotiation and dispute resolution, how to negotiate with multiple parties and to increase confidence in individual negotiation skills.
This course provides opportunities for managers to identify common biases and logical fallacies in decision-making and employ skills and techniques to compensate for them.
This course is an introduction to international standards and methods for project management (PM); the application of tools, the basic, ancillary, and “soft” skills for successful PM; public sector challenges; and strengths/limitations in a complex organic environment.
This advanced survey course provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical tools needed to manage nonprofit organizations. After an overview of the nonprofit sector, we will explore various aspects of nonprofit management such as organizational creation, strategic planning, performance evaluation, board governance, executive leadership, human resources, finance, marketing, advocacy, and collaboration. This course uses multiple learning methods such as case studies, presentations, and discussions to better understand options for addressing managerial challenges experienced by nonprofits.
Provides a unique opportunity to explore U.S. federal policy and administration in the nation’s capital. Students will be exposed to a range of issues that are among the most salient to understanding the complexities of the federal government. Students will apply knowledge, utilize analytical tools, and research various subjects relating to the federal policy and administration.
This course provides an introduction to public management, with a focus on the environment, structure and design of the organizations that public managers run. We will build from a foundation in organizational theory and consider management challenges facing organizations that carry out public purposes. We will focus on traditional public sector organizations, government funded bureaus and agencies that deliver public services directly to citizens but will also consider other organizations that operate in the public sector (e.g. nonprofits, private firms under contract). Taken together, our examination of the environment and structure of public organizations will help you diagnose the management challenges and opportunities in managing a public sector organization.
This course will present a diverse set of models and skills to analyze and guide decisions in operational and managerial settings by drawing on scholarship from economics, psychology, sociology, political science, and management. Provides opportunities for managers to practice how to identify common biases and logical fallacies and employ skills and techniques to compensate for them.
Understanding Online Course Types
As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.
Learn More
Program Faculty
As an online student in the Cybersecurity Law, Policy and Management Graduate Certificate you will benefit from some of the top experts in the fields of computer engineering, policy and law.
David Landsbergen
Associate Professor
Dr. David Landsbergen will help you understand how law, technology and policy come together to improve how the government uses information to make decisions. With a background in both law and public administration, he will guide you through the complexities of managing information systems, making them more secure, transparent, and effective. His work spans digital equity, social media governance, open-source policy, and public records management. Whether you’re focused on cybersecurity, digital transformation, or public innovation, Dr. Landsbergen brings real-world experience and a passion for helping you apply what you learn to make a meaningful impact.
Dr. Megan LePere-Schloop
Assistant Professor
Amanda Girth
Associate Professor
Todd Suddeth
Senior Lecturer
Program Instructor, Moritz College of Law
Marcel Duhamel
Lecturer
Marcel Duhamel brings over 30 years of real-world legal experience into the classroom, offering you a unique perspective on complex litigation, privacy law and consumer protection. As a partner at Vorys in Cleveland, he has represented clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, class actions, and appellate cases across the country. His deep knowledge of banking, bankruptcy and data privacy law, combined with his hands-on experience in both trial and appellate courts, will provide you with practical insights and a strong foundation in legal reasoning, advocacy and professional ethics.
Program Faculty, Moritz College of Law
Kirk Herath
Adjunct Professor
Kirk Herat is Ohio’s Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor to Governor Mike DeWine and Chair of CyberOhio. With over 30 years of experience at Nationwide as VP, Associate General Counsel, and Chief Privacy Officer, Kirk brings real-world expertise to the classroom. He teaches privacy and cyber law at Ohio State and Cleveland State law schools, and has advised national organizations like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. With degrees in political science, history, international affairs, and law, plus certifications in privacy, Kirk is here to help you connect your education to the evolving world of cybersecurity and data governance.
Testimonials
See what our students and alumni have to say about their experience at The Ohio State University.
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program. Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time student. Actual costs may vary.
| Tuition Fees | Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) |
|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $829.75 |
| General Fee | $32.63 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.
Financial Aid Resource
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