Cybersecurity Frequently Asked Questions

As technology evolves and business risks increase, there is a high demand for non-lawyer professionals with a deep understanding of the complex legal and regulatory frameworks governing cybersecurity, data privacy, and artificial intelligence. Our MLS in Cybersecurity, Risk and Governance is for non-lawyer professionals seeking the necessary legal, risk management, and technical skills to advance their careers, and become leaders, whether in private industry or government, in the ever expanding and highly regulated field of cybersecurity, data privacy, and artificial intelligence.

Our Master of Legal Studies in Cybersecurity, Risk and Governance equips non-lawyer professionals with the legal, risk, and technical knowledge and skills needed to help private and public organizations identify, assess, and manage cyber risk. We prepare students to bridge the communication gap between IT security professionals and key business stakeholders, and to lead, design, and frame a business case for investment to senior executives, Boards of Directors, and government officials. Taught by industry experts and practitioners, our program emphasizes skills in leadership, law, risk management, data privacy, artificial intelligence, ethics, critical thinking, analytic problem solving, and communication to prepare students to meet and respond to the varying issues presented by the rapidly changing cyber ecosystem.

Students will be prepared for a career as a cybersecurity professional in private industry and government. Depending on a student's educational background and career experience, possible positions include, but are not limited to:

• Chief Information Security Officer
  
• Chief Information Officer
• Chief Risk Officer
• Compliance Officer
• Information Security Officer
• Data Protection Officer
• Cybersecurity Consultant
• Risk Analyst
• Cyber & Network Security Director
• Cybersecurity & Enterprise Services Director
• Cyber Policy Analyst
• Cyber Intelligence Analyst
• Privacy Analyst
• Information Security Officer
• Intelligence Analyst/Officer (Cyber and National Security)
• Data Protection Officer/Privacy Officer
• AI Cyber Risk Manager
• AI Threat Intelligence Analyst

According to Forbes, there is “a global deficit of nearly 4 million cybersecurity workers.”

Read more: Nearly 4 Million Cybersecurity Jobs Are Vacant: Here’s Why You Should Consider Breaking Into This Sector

Ten courses are required (5 core and 5 electives), totaling 30 credits.

The MLS program is available online, on campus during the evening, or in any combination that works best for you. All courses are offered synchronously in the evenings.

• Online application form
• Application fee $60 (to be paid as part of the online application)
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a GPA of 3.0 or higher*
• Official transcripts from the undergraduate institution
• Personal Statement
• Two letters of recommendation 
• Resumé

*Applicants who do not meet this requirement also may be considered for admission based on their relevant employment history, credentials, and experiences, or with the following condition: the completion of an approved course(s) as a non-degree student within the Cybersecurity Program, as approved by the Program Director, with a grade of B or higher. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Director at cyberlawmls@bc.edu.

Start Your Application

Students may be able to transfer up to 6 graduate credits (2 courses). Decisions on whether to accept transfer credits will depend on an assessment of such course(s) and their fit within the MLS. Of note, all core MLS courses are required. Transfer courses willbe designated as electives.

All of our faculty members have advanced degrees in their specific fields of expertise and are accomplished practitioners in private industry and government. Their specializations range from cybersecurity to data privacy law to IT to artificial intelligence to corporate governance, risk, and compliance, to forensics and investigations, among others.  As leaders in cybersecurity, our faculty members are shaping industry standards, while working with or for Fortune 500 Companies, Federal, State, and local governments, large national law and consulting firm, and academic departments. Each faculty member is committed to equipping students with the necessary, real-world legal, risk, and technical knowledge and skills to prepare them to meet and respond to the varying cybersecurity issues faced by private industry and government today.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer enrollments.

This is variable and is largely based on how many courses a student takes at any giventime. If you take 2 courses per semester, you can complete the degree in 15 months.

Yes. We have designed the program to be flexible to accommodate a variety ofscheduling needs.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer terms.

No. Boston College does not currently offer housing for graduate students, but our Office of Residential Life does have a staff member who can help you find off-campus housing.

Yes, admitted students who confirm their enrollment must pay a $250 enrollment deposit. The enrollment deposit is not an additional fee and will be applied directly to your student account and will be deducted from your tuition bill.  Anyone hoping to defer their enrollment will have to pay the deposit before their deferment request will be processed.

Thank you for your patience as we finalize the final tuition for this program. We expect to release tuition numbers by the end of October 2024.