National Security Law Seminar

What: A total of 16 hours of in-person instruction, taught over the course of 4 days on the topic of national security law. At the end of the program, you will receive an official Statement of Participation.

Where: Columbia University’s iconic campus in the City of New York.

When: June 10-14, 2024

Who: This broad survey course is designed for professionals trained outside the United States, including lawyers, policy makers, military personnel, police officers, cybersecurity experts, and others.

Cost, Deposit, and Payment: The program fee is $2,700 for one week with on-campus housing, or $2,200 for one week without housing. The fee includes a networking breakfast, closing reception, and official Statement of Participation.

All participants are asked to pay a non-refundable deposit of $700 (If requesting accommodation) or $500 (if not requesting accommodation) within two weeks of being invited to join the program, which will be credited towards the overall program fee. The balance of the program fee is due on May 1. 

Housing: A limited number of private rooms are available in Columbia University student residence halls, and are available to program participants for as long as space remains open.

Cancellation: Refunds may be available in limited circumstances, such as program cancellation, health emergencies, visa denials, etc.. Please see FAQs for more information.

See more information in FAQs. For further information, please email [email protected].

Monday, June 10
Organization and Processes of U.S. National Security
Key U.S. government agencies, their legal sources of authority, and the legal tools they employ

Tuesday, June 11
Surveillance and Cybersecurity Law
Issues arising under both U.S. law and international law

Wednesday, June 12
Use of Military Force—Session I
Issues arising under international law, including international humanitarian law

Thursday, June 13
Use of Military Force—Session II
Current and possible future issues, including counterterrorism, arising under domestic U.S. law

Friday, June 14
Keynote and reception, hosted by Columbia Law School’s National Security Law Program

Robert (Bobby) Chesney

Bobby Chesney is Dean of the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, where he holds the James A. Baker III Chair in the Rule of Law and World Affairs.

Chesney’s scholarship focuses on U.S. national security and cybersecurity. He is a frequent contributor to many policy-oriented publications and forums, and a co-founder of www.lawfareblog.com.

In 2021, Chesney served on the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee for the U.S. government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Earlier, he worked at the Justice Department with the Detention Policy Task Force.

He also previously served as an associate member of the Intelligence Science Board and as a member of the Advanced Technology Board, both of which were advisory to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He has been a member of the American Law Institute since 2007.

Chesney is a magna cum laude graduate of both Texas Christian University and Harvard Law School. After law school he clerked for the Honorable Lewis A. Kaplan of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Honorable Robert D. Sack of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Admission, Qualifications, and Who Should Attend

Applications: Individual applications are accepted on a rolling basis, as they are submitted, starting in September, and continuing on a first-come/first-served basis. Classroom space is limited, and applications received after all seats in the program have been filled will be placed on a waitlist.

Required Background: The program is intended to provide practitioners with a broad educational and cultural experience rather than a rigorous course of academic or professional training. Participants should have obtained at least a first university degree in a field related to national security law. Others with different backgrounds will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please email [email protected].

Who Should Attend: Columbia Law School’s National Security Law Seminar is designed for professionals trained outside the United States in fields related to national security law, including attorneys, policy makers, military officers, police officials, cybersecurity experts, and others. Candidates should have at least a first university degree, but applications from undergraduate students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Academic Focus: The National Security Law Seminar offers an engaging educational and cultural experience with 16 hours of interactive, non-credit instruction. It provides participants with a broad introduction to U.S. national security law’s key elements and actors, as well as their interplay with international law including international humanitarian law. The program is intended as a broad and challenging introduction for motivated professionals rather than a rigorous course of advanced academic or professional training.

Academic Structure: The program features one module focused on a single topic, with 16 hours of instruction provided over four days; each day is divided into two class sessions. The morning session runs from 10 a.m. to noon and the afternoon session runs from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., allowing time in the afternoon to enjoy New York City’s museums, parks, and other cultural attractions. All sessions are presented in-person, and there are no exams, grades, or academic credit. An initial networking breakfast and orientation, as well as a final closing reception, are also included.

Accommodation: On-campus accommodation is available, so long as space remains, in Columbia University’s Watt Hall or a similar student residence halls. All housing includes a private bedroom and, unless otherwise noted, a private bathroom as well.

Credit and Credentials: The program does not offer academic credit. All participants who satisfy class attendance and participation expectations will receive a formal Certificate of Participation from Columbia Law School, bearing the signature of the Dean of the Law School and the Dean for International and Comparative Law programs.

English Language Proficiency: All instruction takes place in English, and students should anticipate being called upon to speak in class.

Exams and Attendance: The program does not include examinations. Participants are expected to attend at least 7 of the 8 class sessions to qualify for the Certificate of Participation.

Location: The National Security Law Seminar is presented at Columbia Law School, on the iconic campus of Columbia University in the City of New York.

Program Fee and Payment: See more under the “payment and fees” tab. 

Program Dates: June 10-14 on the iconic Columbia University campus in the City of New York. A networking breakfast and orientation will be held on Monday, followed by four hours of classes daily on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. No class sessions are held on Friday, but an optional keynote will be hosted in the late morning, followed by a networking reception by Columbia Law School’s National Security Law Program.

Socratic Method and Class Participation: National Security Law Seminar sessions may employ an accessible version of the Socratic Method, one of the foundations of U.S. legal education, through which instruction is imparted by a “question and answer” dialogue between the teacher and students. 

Class preparation includes not only completing reading assignments, but also being ready to think and speak critically about them in class. Course materials and reading assignments will be provided on the website or by email in the weeks prior to the start of the program.

Refunds, Changes, and Cancellation

Refunds: Refunds may be available in certain circumstances as detailed below (and different terms may apply to groups with which the Law School has made separate arrangements). Payments made by credit card during the prior 60 days will be promptly credited back to the same account; refunds of wire transfers and other forms of payment may take up to 90 days or more to process.

Changes: Columbia reserves the right to revise the content, instructors, manner of instruction, format, and location of the program at its sole discretion.

Cancellation by the participant on or before January 31: In response to a request received on or before January 31 from any individual who wishes to withdraw from the program, the Law School will refund all program fees received less a $500 service charge.

Cancellation by the participant after January 31: Absent prior approval from Columbia Law School, no refunds are possible in response to requests received after January 31 from an individual who wishes to withdraw from the program.

Cancellation in the event of a health emergency, or if a necessary visa cannot be obtained: In the event of a documented health emergency, or if an applicant makes timely efforts but is unsuccessful in obtaining a necessary visa in time to attend the program, Columbia will refund 100% of all program fees received.

Cancellation by Columbia: Columbia reserves the right to cancel the program due to insufficient enrollment or other reasons. In the event that Columbia cancels the program, the Law School will refund 100% of all program fees received from participants. Columbia is not able to refund any associated travel expenses, and participants are strongly encouraged to purchase trip insurance to cover their transportation and housing arrangements.

Visas: A standard B1/B2 visa is sufficient to enter the United States to participate in this program.

Program Fee. The program fee is $2,700 with housing, or $2,200 without housing. This covers:

• An orientation and networking breakfast.
• Four days, totaling 16 hours, of classroom instruction and study materials.
• A keynote and closing reception.
• An official Certificate of Participation.

Discounts. Special discounts may apply to affiliates of Columbia Law School affiliate institutions. Please inquire for more information.

Payment: Payment of a non-refundable deposit of $700 (for those requesting on-campus housing) or $500 (for those not requesting on-campus housing) is due no later than two weeks after notification of admission. The balance of the program fee is then due on May 1. Online payment by credit card is preferred, and a payment link with specific payment instructions will be provided along with notification of admission.