Master of Arts in Statecraft and National Security Affairs

MA in Statecraft and National Security Affairs

52 Credit Hours
Two years to complete with full-time student status

This degree is designed for students currently in the national security community or for those who wish to enter this career field. It provides a comprehensive study of the theory and practice of national security policy, process, and implementation, both in historical and contemporary perspectives. Significant attention is directed toward vital current policy issues as well as understanding foreign cultures and the practices of foreign powers.

Candidates for this degree are not required to pass a language proficiency examination, but may elect to do so in order to add an important skill to their academic credentials and marketability. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the same language training opportunities made available to candidates in the Statecraft and International Affairs degree program.

Students in this program may be enrolled full-time (9 or more credit hours per semester) or part-time (less than 9 credit hours per semester), but must complete the degree in five calendar years or less. After successful completion of all coursework, each student will be required to pass a one-hour oral examination and a three-hour written comprehensive examination.

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I chose IWP because it offered what no other school did – an education in all the tools of statecraft. What I did not realize at the time was how well it would prepare me for my career in the FBI.

—John Russo (’06), Recipient of the “Director’s Award for Excellence” from the FBI

Requirements

CORE CURRICULUM
(36 credits required; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Core Courses (all required)

NOTE: These Core Courses are currently provisional but all new Fall 2020 MA students should expect to follow this plan. All returning MA students are exempted and may follow the prior curriculum. Please contact the Office of Student Affairs if you have any questions (jjohnsrud@iwp.edu).

Courses in Statecraft (four of the following are needed; one of the four taken must be 601)

In addition to the Core Curriculum, students in this degree program must also select one of the following five specializations:

SPECIALIZATION in HOMELAND SECURITY
(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Course

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 12 credits)

SPECIALIZATION in INTELLIGENCE
(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Courses

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 4 credits)

SPECIALIZATION in NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE STUDIES
(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Courses

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 4 credits)

SPECIALIZATION in PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND STRATEGIC INFLUENCE 
(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Courses

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 4 credits)

REGIONAL STUDIES SPECIALIZATION
(16 credits needed)

Students may select one of three regional specializations: Asia, Europe, or the Middle East.

Asia (16 credits are are required.)

Middle East (Please choose courses equaling 16 credits. If you take IWP 688, you may reach 16 credits by taking a 2 credit directed study.)

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic terms, concepts, history, theories, and geography related to national security policy, process and implementation.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate military strategy, the diplomatic art, economic strategy, intelligence, counterintelligence, public diplomacy, and strategic influence into a coherent whole.
  3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the statecraft of the U.S. and foreign powers.
  4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the main ideological currents of the modern era and their impact on US and foreign behavior.
  5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the principles of the American founding and their relevance to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
  6. Students will demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of the Western moral tradition and its applicability to national security and foreign policy, including the ethical conduct of statecraft and the ingredients of moral leadership such as the development and exercise of personal and civic virtues.
  7. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess arguments, identify logical flaws, and obtain supporting or corrective information.
  8. Students will demonstrate the use of clear, effective and persuasive written communications.
  9. Students will demonstrate the use of clear, effective, and persuasive oral communication.

Perspectives from Alumni

“What IWP has really helped me with is to get in the mind of what a policy maker or senior official has to deal with on a day to day basis. Knowing that you are able to tailor information so that they are able to do their jobs with the timely, accurate information they need to make informed decisions is indispensable.”
Moises Benhabib, (’15)
Special Assistant to the Executive Secretariat Staff within the Office of the Secretary of State
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“All of the classes I took at IWP help with my work.”
Karissa Brauer, (’13)
Intelligence Analyst with the U.S. Air Force
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Caleb Crim

“So many of the professors are either current or former senior analysts or senior officials with DoD, intelligence agencies, and other parts of government… the professors were able to use their own careers to guide us.”
Caleb Crim (’16)
Senior Analyst Manager at Bulletin Intelligence
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Jeff Brewer

“Dr. Streusand’s Geography and Strategy and General Jajko’s Military Strategy courses both provided an opportunity to explore the Marine Corps’ operational and even strategic role as force projector throughout the world.”
Major Jeff Brewer, (’14)
USMC Intelligence Officer
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“My only regret is not finding IWP sooner.”
Kelly Zug (’19)

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