The Doctor of Statecraft and Strategy (Professional) (DSS) degree is a professional doctorate geared towards those who are or who wish to become national security professionals.
This program is offered both in person and online. It is ideal for those who already have an IWP M.A. OR do not yet have an M.A.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Integrate the various instruments of statecraft into national security and strategy.
- Appreciate the principles of the American founding and the Western moral tradition as applied to national security and strategy.
- Understand the challenges facing national leaders under the ideological currents of the modern era.
- Demonstrate expertise in any two areas of concentration as enhancements to the study of statecraft and strategy: major instruments of statecraft (diplomacy, economics, public diplomacy and strategic influence, intelligence, military), a selected region of the world, or a customized topic relevant to the field.
Requirements
Full-time students in the 72-credit track (those who have not already completed a relevant master’s degree), which requires 3+ years, will adhere to the standards of the IWP Master of Arts in Statecraft and Strategy program requirements consisting of 52 credits. Students pursuing this track will also be conferred the Master of Arts in Statecraft and Strategy degree upon successful completion of the program. Students already possessing an IWP MA degree may transfer its credits toward this degree.
Students entering this program who possess a master’s degree from another institution may:
- Transfer a maximum of 16 credit hours towards the IWP degree (leaving 56 credits to complete) on a case-by-case basis upon review of transcripts; OR
- Consider the 52-credit Doctor of Statecraft and National Security (Professional) that is approved for in-person or distance learning as needed (depending on availability of online courses).
Upon completion of MA requirements, the following doctoral courses totaling 20-credits will be required:
- IWP/O 6900: Principles of Strategy (2 credits)
- IWP/O 801: Grand Strategy and Full Spectrum Statecraft (4 credits)
- IWP/O 802: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (4 credits)
- IWP/O 803: Advanced Research and Writing Seminar for Statecraft and National Security (4 credits)
- IWP/O 807: Thesis Writing and Advising I: Core Curriculum (2 credits)
- IWP/O 808: Thesis Writing and Advising II: First Concentration (2 credits)
- IWP/O 809: Thesis Writing and Advising III: Second Concentration (2 credits)
Any electives taken are optional and would be in addition to these requirements.
To earn the DSS degree, the student will:
- Successfully complete the required doctoral-level courses;
- Complete and defend three papers of 75 pages or more that demonstrate mastery in each area of study: the IWP Core Curriculum (Statecraft) and one each for both areas of concentration. Students will work closely with their faculty advisors in completion of these substantial papers.
- Pass a final written doctoral-level comprehensive exam.
Completion Time
- Completion Time for 72-Credit Track: 3+ Years
- Completion Time for 20-Credit Track (for students already with IWP MA): 1+ Years
