Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation

Program Description Eligibility Application Information Required Coursework Meet the Faculty & Staff FAQs

Welcome from our Head Faculty and Program Directors

Thomas Guarrieri

Director of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, Associate Research Professor, START

Liberty Day

Program Director for
Education and Training, START

START offers a fully online Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation through the University of Maryland’s Graduate School. The program is delivered in a synchronous format using multiple online platforms provided by the University of Maryland, College Park.

Application Deadlines:

Spring 2025: January 3, 2025 (domestic/international)

Apply Here

Program Description

START’s Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation provides participants with advanced education on understanding, investigating, and managing insider risks and insider threats. Participants will develop the analytical and decision-making skills to successfully engage in insider risk management and mitigation. Our program is appropriate for individuals interested in and/or currently working in fields related to countering and responding to insider risk and insider threat issues.

For more information, please fill out the request form.

Eligibility

The admissions process for the Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation is designed to determine whether the program is a good fit for your background, education and professional development goals.

Domestic students must have:

Received at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university with at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale);
Experience, education, and/or substantial interest in terrorism and counterterrorism studies and research; and
GRE scores or any other standardized scores are not required for this program.

International students must have:

Received at least a baccalaureate degree at a foreign university or college equivalent to that of a U.S. institution;
A TOEFL score of 100 or higher unless otherwise exempt*; and,
GRE scores are not required for this program.

*All International students must show evidence of acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson's (PTE), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). See information on the University of Maryland Graduate School website for specific admissions requirements, including minimum scores. If admitted with an English language requirement provision, the graduate student must complete an English course available only at the University of Maryland, College Park. Please visit the University of Maryland Graduate School website for more information regarding these courses. The exempt countries and minimum scores are found here.

For individuals that complete the TOEFL, the test must be valid at the time of your application. TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date. For the University of Maryland to receive your TOEFL scores, please use our code: 5814.

For the University of Maryland to receive your IELTS scores, please have your score sheet mailed to:

University of Maryland
Enrollment Service Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Room 0130 Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742

Note for International Graduate Students: University of Maryland is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international graduate student community. We encourage applications from international students, however as a fully online program we are not able to sponsor any educational visa for travel to the University of Maryland.

Application Information

Deadlines:

Spring 2025: January 3rd (domestic/international)

Graduate Application

University of Maryland's Graduate Application Process

The application is available through the University of Maryland Graduate School application system. Before completing the application, applicants must check the Admissions Requirements site for specific instructions for this program.

As required by the Graduate School, all application materials are to be submitted electronically:

Graduate application
- In the Educational Intent section, select the following:
  - Application Type: Certificate
  - Intended Program of Study: Insider Risk Management and Mitigation (Z172), CERT GR
Within the Online Application, you will be able to upload:
- Unofficial Transcripts for all college-level coursework outside the University of Maryland, College Park**;
- Statement of purpose;
- Resume/CV;
You will also be able to pay the non-refundable application fee of $75 USD

**Official Transcripts will be requested if admitted.

Completed applications are reviewed by an admissions committee in each graduate degree program. The recommendations of the committees are submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School, who will make the final admission decision.

Required Coursework

Students must complete four (4) course. The program format is online and synchronous and the courses occur after 6 p.m. ET on weekdays, and are 2.5 hours long. The courses follow a standard Fall or Spring academic semester of 15 weeks.

Core
Courses

BSST650: Foundations of Insider Risk Management & Mitigation
The risks posed by trusted insiders to organizations in both the public and private sector are well documented. Past compromises of national security information have provided sensitive information to U.S. adversaries; theft or compromise of proprietary data and intellectual property has impacted businesses large and small; and, incidents of workplace violence perpetrated by insiders are on the rise. This course provides context for the counter insider threat mission and explores multi-disciplinary insider risk management concepts. The course addresses matters of policy, political and socio-economic impacts, psychological factors, and gives special consideration to issues of cyber insider threat, privacy and civil liberties, kinetic violence, and related social and behavioral science research.

BSST651: The Psychology of Malicious Insiders
Multidisciplinary perspectives on intentional, malicious behavior by insiders. Reviews theoretical foundations from social psychology, personality psychology, psychopathology, and criminology and encourages students to understand Insider Threat (InT) behaviors through case conceptualization/formulation. Emphasis shall be placed on understanding the "fit" between different strategies for interviewing, investigating, early warning, monitoring, and mitigation, as well as the dynamics of a given case.

BSST652: Managing Insider Threat Activities
Introduces critical concepts in threat assessment, management, and mitigation. Specifically, the seminar will highlight key concepts, theories, best practices, and research in three major areas of focus: (1) threat assessment and risk management, (2) mitigating existing risk and preventing further escalation, and (3) oversight and accountability of threat assessment activities.

BSST653: Investigative Thinking, Analysis and Decision-Making in Insider Risk Management & Mitigation
The purpose of this course is to stimulate "knowledge opportunity" in the complex everyday subject of decision making in insider threat analysis. Through the discovery of investigative thinking and some of its core elements of critical thinking, data to knowledge process, communication, heuristic, bias, and thinking processes, it is hoped it will lead students towards a better understanding of "What they are looking for" and "What they are looking at," both key elements essential in sound investigative thinking.

Meet the Faculty

Steve S. Sin - Director of the Unconventional Weapons and Technology Division (UWT), START
Carla D. Stamper, Chief, Join Staff Insider Threat Hub, Directorate of Management, Joint Staff
Anthony Kraemer, National Security Psychologist, U.S. Government
JT Mendoza, Instructor, START

Meet the Staff

Liberty Day – Program Director for Education and Training, START
Kayla Hare – Educational Engagement Specialist, START

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If I am accepted to the program, would I be considered a full-time student?

A: No. All students in the Graduate Certificate program are considered part-time students.

Q: Do I have to complete the program in one year?

A: No. It is up to you to determine your coursework plan that best fits with your goals and other commitments. Students will work with the program coordinator before the start of each semester. Students will have up to five (5) years from the time of admittance to complete the program. The coordinator will work with you to accommodate any registration issues that may arise during the time you are enrolled in the program.

Q: I live in Maryland. Will I be charged in-state tuition even though the program is online?

A: All students are charged the tuition and fee rates posted on the program’s Tuition & Fees website page.

Q: Is financial aid available for this program?

A: Students seeking the Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, students can use employer provided assistance, many Veteran's Benefits programs, and alternative private student loans.

Q: Does the admissions committee have a preference for the letters of recommendation?

A: We prefer academic and/or professional letters. Your recommenders should be able to discuss your ability to succeed in graduate level coursework.

Q: Will I ever need to come to the University of Maryland Campus?

A: No. The program is entirely online. Instructors often teach from locations all over the country.

Q: Will I be required to buy books for the courses?

A: Yes. The instructors often require the students to buy at least one book. The book list for each course may change from one semester to the next. Students will be informed of the required textbooks prior to the start of the course. Instructors may make other readings available online.

Q: What benefits will I have as a University of Maryland student?

A: As an online graduate student, you have access to UMD resources listed on the Online Learning & Resources website page.