Application Instructions

The Graduate Certificate Program is available in four distinct program formats. To ensure that we process your online application for the correct program, please follow the instructions below:

First, you may take classes according to your own schedule demands, one or more per semester. You may choose this format at either the Virginia Campus in Ashburn, VA or the Main Campus in Foggy Bottom, Washington, DC. When completing your Application for Admissions, you should choose the campus option that pertains to the campus you most favor. Please keep in mind that you must be continuously enrolled each fall and spring semester until the completion of your program.


Second, you may take classes as a cohort student, in the accelerated 22-week program at the Virginia Campus. Please check here for more information on the next cohort to be offered at that campus. When completing your Application for Admissions, you should choose the campus option labeled "Virginia". You should also include a line in your statement of purpose indicating your desire to be a part of the accelerated cohort program at the Virginia campus.

Third, you may take classes as a cohort student, in the accelerated 22-week program at the Foggy Bottom campus. Please check here for more information on the next cohort to be offered at that campus. When completing your Application for Admissions, you should choose the campus option labeled "Main Campus/Foggy Bottom". You should also include a line in your statement of purpose indicating your desire to be a part of the accelerated cohort program at the Foggy Bottom campus.

Finally, you may take classes as a cohort student, in the accelerated 22-week program at the Main Campus with Semi-Distance Learning. Though you are required to appear at the main campus five times during the program, you will complete the majority of your classes at a location of your convenience using a CD featuring instruction from recently presented classes. Please watch this space for more information on the next cohort to be offered with Semi-Distance Learning. When completing your Application for Admissions, you should choose the campus option labeled "Main Campus/Foggy Bottom". You should also include a line in your statement of purpose indicating your desire to be a part of the accelerated cohort program with Semi-Distance Learning at the Foggy Bottom Campus.

Please note that the CSIA Graduate Certificate program will not satisfy F-1 or J-1 visa requirements for full-time enrollment. International students requiring student visas are eligible to apply to the Master of Science in Computer Science with an area of focus in Computer Security and Information Assurance.

At this time, graduate certificate students are not eligible for federal loans, though we encourage you to contact your employer about the prospect of tuition reimbursement.

You can start filling out the online application here.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions Requirements

Curriculum

Certificate Academic Requirements

Continuation to Masters Degree Program

Advisors

Instructions for online application

How do I apply to the certificate program?

Are the certificate program credits transferable for credit in the MS in Computer Science

I want to enroll in the accelerated certificate program but my company only reimburses me after I pass the course with a B or better. Is there any way I can avoid scrambling to find several thousand dollars up front?

I would like to get a certificate in the certificate program but would have to schedule it over four semesters due to limited budget.

Can I apply for federal loans for this program?

Can I enroll in this program even if my bachelor’s degree is not in computer science?
How much calculus is really needed?

I’m a little rusty in my math (or computer networking) skills, and am afraid I may not have the prerequisites for this program.  What should I do?

I’m already enrolled in another GW program. Can I enroll in this one in addition (and apply these courses to that program)?

I can only attend the first half (10 weeks) of the cohort classes. Can I take the other courses on a regular semester schedule? How do I do this?

My organization likes this program very much and it appears to meet our needs. However, we can't send somebody from our non-Washington location for 22 weeks.  Do you have any other suggestions?

Q: How do I apply to the certificate program?

A: Go to http://www.cs.gwu.edu/academics/graduate/csia_certificate/apply.html for details about applying online and tracking your own application or for other information on how to apply.  If you are applying for a summer cohort certificate program, please indicate on your application whether you want to take this in the traditional way (two ten-week sessions) or by semi-distance learning (meetings approximately once a month, all day, with CDs sent to you for the other lectures). 

Q: Are the certificate program credits transferable for credit in the MS in Computer Science?

A: Yes. An application must be completed to gain admission to the MS program in Computer Science.  Those accepted to the MS program may transfer their certificate credits toward the graduate degree.

Q: I want to enroll in the accelerated certificate program but my company only reimburses me after I pass the course with a B or better. Is there any way I can avoid scrambling to find several thousand dollars up front?

A: Since the accelerated cohort program does not follow the normal semester calendar, the answer is unfortunately no.  If you take certificate courses during the regular semester program, or continue on for a MS degree after you get a certificate in the accelerated program, you might be able to use a monthly payment program set up by GWU in conjunction with Academic Management Services.   Call 1-800-531-4300 or go to the AMS website at www.tuitionpay.com.

Q: I would like to get a certificate in the cohort program but would have to schedule it over four semesters due to limited budget.

A: You don't have to take the certificate option as a cohort - You can simply take one course at a time during the regular semesters as part of the non-cohort certificate program.

Q: Can I apply for federal loans for this program?

A: At this time, graduate certificate students are not eligible for federal loans, though we encourage you to contact your employer about the prospect of tuition reimbursement.

Q: Can I enroll in this program even if my bachelor’s degree is not in computer science?

A: Maybe. Each prospective student is different, and each case is individual and is evaluated on an individual basis. The admission requirements for the GWU Computer Science Department graduate program are:

-A Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Computer Science or related field.
-A 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of course work for the Bachelors Degree
-Two courses in mathematics beyond pre-calculus
-One year of science with a laboratory
-A course in a structured programming language (equivalent of Csci51 or Csci49)
-A course in Discrete Structures (equivalent of CSci 123)
-A course in Data Structures (equivalent of CSci 131 or CSci 103)
-A course in Computer Architecture (equivalent of CSci 52)
-A course in Operating Systems (equivalent of CSci 156)

A “standard” bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field will satisfy these requirements in many cases. In some other cases, equivalent experience will substitute for some of these courses. For example, many network administrators have roughly equivalent skills to those gained from courses in computer architecture and/or operating systems. Most people who have programmed a decent amount in C++ or Java can satisfy the structured programming language course.

Q: How much calculus is really needed?

A: Note that the admissions requirements state “two years mathematics beyond pre-calculus” but are not more specific. What we are really looking for is enough mathematical grounding so you will be prepared when a few equations are used to describe an encryption method, the expected risk of something, or a hardware circuit.  Zero to few actual integrals or derivatives will be encountered.

Q: I’m a little rusty in my math (or computer networking) skills, and am afraid I may not have the prerequisites for this program.  What should I do?

A: If you know you don’t have the prerequisites, GW (and other local universities) offers the prerequisite courses, and you should take them first. If you are just a little rusty or uncertain, contact us with your questions.  The accelerated certificate programs typically offer a brush-up session free of charge a week before classes start to students who want or need it; this also can help you decide whether you might be biting off more than you can chew.

Q: I'm already enrolled in another GW program. Can I enroll in this one in addition (and apply these courses to that program)?

A: You can only be enrolled in one GW program at a time. “Enrolled” is different than “taking a course or two”. “Enrolled” means having applied and been accepted in a program. In some cases, you can “drop out” of one program, enroll in the CSIA program, earn your certificate, and then transfer those courses into the original program, to which you must reapply; but don’t try this without first consulting with your advisor in your current program.

Q: I can only attend the first half (10 weeks) of the cohort classes. Can I take the other courses on a regular semester schedule? How do I do this?

A: We would only accept you under those conditions assuming you met the other entrance requirements on a wait-list basis. That is, if we did not have a full cohort a week or so before the class, we would admit you. Our aim is to populate the cohort with people who will commit for twenty weeks of hard work.

Q: My organization likes this program very much and it appears to meet our needs. However, we can't send somebody from our non-Washington location for 22 weeks.  Do you have any other suggestions?

A: Our semi-distance learning option for this program is offered on the Foggy Bottom Campus, and allows the student to make four one-day trips and one two-day trip to Washington for in-person education and to do the rest of the studying anywhere in the world.  These trips are spaced about a month apart.  Even some working professionals who live in the Washington area prefer this, since they often are traveling on business or for other reasons can not commit to meeting two nights a week in person on one of our campuses.  Stay tuned for our announcement reagrding the next time this option will be offered.

• Accelerated Program at the GWU Virginia Campus. 

Conventional Program

The CSIA certificate can also be earned by completing four courses in thr program, each with a minimum grade of a B, during the regular academic semesters, as described in the Certificate Requirements.

Note: Not all courses are available each semester.  Please note that continuous enrollment in the fall and spring semesters must be maintained.  If you are not able to register for an appropriate course in fall or spring, you must register for a leave of absence in that semester.  Please see the Department of Computer Science about registration for a leave.

CSIA Contacts

For all inquiries regarding the certificate program, please contact either of the Program Directors:

Prof. Joanthan stanton
email: jstanton@gwu.edu

Prof. Poorvi Vora
email: poorvi@gwu.edu 

Certificate Academic Requirements

Students will be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Computer Security and Information Assurance after completion of four courses in the program, each with a minimum grade of a B, as described in the Certificate Requirements.

Continuation to the Masters (MS) Program

Many students who are enrolled in or have completed the certificate program choose to continue their graduate studies and apply to the MS program in Computer Science. Students accepted to the MS program may transfer all credits earned from the Graduate Certificate program.

Completion of the Graduate Certificate program is not an implied acceptance into the MS program. Students who wish to become MS candidates must complete another application and will be subject to the normal requirements in effect for admission to regular graduate study in the CS department. Students may not be dually enrolled in the MS and certificate program.

CSIA Curriculum

The curriculum for the certificate program consists of two required courses and two elective courses in the area of Computer Security, each carrying three academic credits. The required courses are:

Csci 283: Computer Security Systems I
Techniques for security in computer systems. Authentication, logging, authorization, encryption, international common security criteria. Effects of operating systems and machine architecture. Countermeasures. Risk-analysis.
Prerequisite: Csci 131

Csci 286 (was CSci 383): Network Security Principles
Security in local, global, and wireless networks; packet-level communication security protocols; Intrusion detection systems and firewalls; network authentication protocols; secure network applications: secure E-mail and web operations; secure mobile agents. Prerequisite: CSci 283. (Spring)
Prerequisite: Csci 283

Additional Elective Courses available in the Certificate or Full Masters Degree Program

Csci 175: Information Policy
Roles, issues, and impacts of computer-based information systems in national and international arenas, focusing on privacy, equity, freedom of speech, intellectual property, and access to personal and governmental information. Professional responsibilities, ethics, and common and best practices in information use. Design of computer systems that fit present and likely future realities and avoiding decisions likely to lead to nonadoption, costly retrofitting, or abandonment of these systems. May be taken for graduate credit. (Fall)

Csci 284: Computer Cryptography
Cryptography and codes. Secure communications using symmetric and public key algorithms. Key management, authentication, and signatures. Secure voice, video, and data. Use of cryptography in secure Internet transactions.
Prerequisite: Csci 212

Csci 381: Advanced Cryptography
Cryptanalysis of AES. Factorization and primality. Computational and information-theoretic secrecy. Theory of secrecy. Zero-knowledge proofs. Secret sharing. Cooperative distributed cryptography. Provable security.
Prerequisite: Csci 284

Csci 287: Computer Network Defense
Defending computer networks against the common methods and tools used to harm them, including network scans, viruses, worms, denial of service attacks, e-mail bombs, and buffer overflow attacks. Students attack and defend a real, full-featured network unconnected to any other network. Ethics and legal implications are also discussed.
Prerequisite: Csci 286/383

Csci 289: E-commerce Security
Advanced technical topics in e-commerce security. X.500 registration systems, x.509/PKIX certification systems, secure payment methods, smart cards, authorization models in open distributed environments. Secure web systems, technologies, and applications.
Prerequisite: Csci 383/286

Csci 386: Java Security Mechanisms
Theoretical overview and practical aspects of Java security solutions. Students develop individual Java security modules and integrate them into a complete Java security system.
Prerequisite: Csci 383/286

Csci 387: Advanced Topics in Information Assurance
Seminar on current research and developments in information assurance. May be repeated for credit.

Csci 288: Wireless and Mobile Security
Security issues in wireless networks and mobile applications. Overview of wireless networks and mobile applications-Mobile Agents,Wireless Web, WAP, WEP, Peer-to-Peer Computing; secure routing; intrusion detection and authentication on wireless networks; security for handheld devices; encryption and cryptographic measures for wireless; real-time wireless security; security measures for embedded devices.
Prerequisites: CSci 383/CSci 286

CSIA Admission Requirements

Graduate Certificate Program

Applicants must meet the same admissions requirements as applicants applying for the M.S. program in Computer Science (see below). Completion of the certificate program is not an implied acceptance into the M.S. program. Because of full-time enrollment requirements, graduate certificate admission is not available to international students in need of a student visa. We encourage international students to apply to the Master of Science program instead.

Master’s Program

• Bachelor’s Degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for the last 60 hours of course work
• Two courses in mathematics beyond pre-calculus
• One year of science with laboratory
• Courses in computer science using a structured language, discrete structures, data structures, and computer architecture
• Transcripts from all attended institutions of higher education
• Statement of Purpose
• Application

Doctor of Science* Program

• Direct Doctorate
• Bachelor’s Degree with a GPA of at least 3.3 in the degree program
• GRE Score
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all attended institutions of higher education
• Statement of Purpose
• Application
• Two courses in mathematics beyond pre-calculus
• One year of science with a laboratory
• Strong academic background including courses in structured programming language, discrete structures, and data structures
• Post Master’s Degree
• Master’s Degree in a computer related field
• GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 in the Master’s work
• GRE Score
• Two letters of recommendation
• Transcripts from all attended institutions of higher education
• Statement of Purpose
• Application
• Master’s courses in advanced software paradigms, computer architectures, and design and analysis of algorithms

* Please note, international applicants and applicants requesting consideration for a fellowship or an assistantship must also submit the following materials:
For international applicants: a TOEFL score of at least 213 on the computer exam or 550 on the paper exam, a financial certificate and supporting financial documents. The George Washington University cannot admit you or send you a student visa document (I-20 or DS-2019) until you have submitted financial certification showing sufficient funds to pay for your educational expenses. The process to obtain a student visa from a U.S. consulate abroad usually takes at least three months. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you submit your financial certificate when you send in the rest of your application materials.
For applicants requesting consideration for a fellowship or an assistantship: three letters of recommendation and a GRE general test score.
More information, including deadlines and applications, is available at the SEAS Admission web site.

Computer Security and Information Assurance Graduate Certificate

Admissions Requirements
Curriculum
Certificate Academic Requirements
Continuation to Masters Degree Program
Advisors
FAQ

Instructions for online application The Department of Computer Science (CS) in The George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) offers a graduate certificate program in Computer Security and Information Assurance. The objective of this certificate program is to provide a coordinated four-course sequence in computer security and information assurance that emphasizes concepts in Computer Security augmented with current industry standard techniques and challenges. It provides an alternative to the full M.S. program for practicing computer scientists and other information technology personnel who wish to extend their education beyond the B.S. level, and to those who wish to acquire up-to-date knowledge in the burgeoning field of computer and network security.

View a photo of the recent Computer Security and Information Assurance Graduate Certificate Cohort number 7.

Above: the graduation celebration with Prof. Michael Caloyannides, Prof. James Hahn, and Dean Tim Tong.

Accelerated Program

A CSIA certificate can be earned in as little as 22 weeks through the accelerated cohort option. It can also be earned through regular open enrollment classes taken during the regular fall, spring and summer semesters.

• Accelerated Program at the GWU Virginia Campus. Next program starts Spring 2006. 

Conventional Program

The CSIA certificate can also be earned by completing four courses in the program, each with a minimum grade of a B, during the regular academic semesters, as described in the Certificate Requirements.

Note: Not all courses are available each semester. Please note that continuous enrollment in the fall and spring semesters must be maintained.  If you are not able to register for an appropriate course in fall or spring, you must register for a leave of absence in that semester.  Please see the Department of Computer Science about registration for a leave.