NSA/DHS Certificate Criteria

NSA/DHS Certificate

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated George Mason University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Research and Education through 2027 (previously, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security designated George Mason University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense Research and Education for academic years 2014 through 2021. This designation was a renewal of the existing certification and was announced at the 18th Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE) Monday, June 16, 2014  in San Diego, Ca.).

Students completing the Information Technology, BS with a declared concentration in Cyber Security will be eligible to earn the NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) certificate by completing the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher:

  • IT 342
  • IT 366
  • IT 429
  • One of the following: IT 352 or IT 467
  • One of the following: IT 353, IT 357, IT 369, IT 462, or IT 466

Once the degree has been conferred, students who have completed the above requirements should email the academic advising team at bsit@gmu.edu, with their name, G#, completed courses, and mailing address. We will review your record and verify that you have met the requirements and will send your certificate to you.