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Master of National Security

The curriculum for the Master of National Security consists of 42 hours of coursework. Students complete a core curriculum that consists of courses in domestic statecraft for national security, international systems and policy, the integration of grand strategy with military and intelligence strategies, and the development and use of economic strategies to advance national security. The core curriculum also includes courses in written and oral communication skills related to national security and qualitative techniques of research design and analysis. Students also take two graduate-level courses in contemporary history or political science related to a specific region. Students meet requirements for additional credit hours by participating in a Policy Research Project, performing an internship, writing a Master's Report, taking two graduate-level free electives, or a combination of these options. 

A typical 42 semester-hour program of study includes six core courses (18 credit hours); two graduate-level regional studies courses (six credit hours); four concentration courses (12 credit hours); an internship (three credit hours) and a Master's Report (three credit hours). For students with seven or more years of experience and/or active duty service, the typical program would include a Policy Research Project or graduate-level elective in place of the internship. Students must fulfill all academic requirements within six years of their entrance into the program. Most students are expected to complete the program in two years of full-time study.