Degrees

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

Core Courses (all required)

Course in Political Philosophy (one of the following is required)

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 four 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.)

Learning Objectives, M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs

Skills:

1. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the various aspects of statecraft (military strategy; the diplomatic art; economic strategy; intelligence; counterintelligence; public diplomacy and related fields; defense against foreign propaganda, deception, and influence operations; psychological strategy and political warfare; internal security; and the methods of leadership).

2. Students must demonstrate the ability to address foreign policy and national security problems by integrating the various instruments of statecraft.

3. Students must demonstrate the ability to think strategically and integrate tactical work with strategic goals.

Knowledge:

1. Students must demonstrate knowledge of basic terms, historical events, theories, economics, and geography related to the international relations field.

2. Student must demonstrate knowledge of the chosen field of specialization: e.g. National Security Affairs; Intelligence; or Public Diplomacy and Political Warfare.

3. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the statecraft of foreign powers.

4. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the main ideological currents of the modern era and the role of ideas and values in world politics.

5. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of the American founding and the American political economy and their relevance to U.S. foreign policy.

Values and Principles:

1. Students must demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of the Western moral tradition (particularly the natural law and the dialog between reason and revelation) and its application to foreign policy and strategy.

2. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the building blocks of statesmanship and moral leadership, including various personal and civic virtues as: honesty; integrity; the ability to see the truth and tell it to power; courage; perseverance’ independence of thought and the capacity to resist peer pressure and the “conventional wisdom”; respect for the rule of law; prudence; justice; discernment of the national interest; respect of the dignity of the individual human person regardless of their background or condition.

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