This fall, IWP will offer three new Master of Arts programs: a Master of Arts in Chinese and Asian Affairs, a Master of Arts in Counterintelligence Studies, and a Master of Arts in War Studies.
The Master of Arts in Chinese and Asian Affairs emphasizes Chinese strategic and military thought, the development of Chinese grand strategy, the role of intelligence and security services in the Chinese state, and the dynamics of U.S.-China strategic competition in East Asia. The program prepares students particularly interested in developing expertise in the political, military, economic, and foreign policies of Asian states.
The professors who will teach this program have deep expertise in China and Asia. They include Dr. Christopher Lew, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who has served as a Senior Intelligence Analyst with the Department of Defense and as a Senior China Policy Analyst at SAIC, as well as Prof. John Tkacik, who formerly served as Chief of China Analysis at the U.S. State Department.
The Master of Arts in Counterintelligence Studies focuses on how the United States compromises the intelligence collection efforts of foreign powers through recruitment and penetration; influences or deceives adversaries regarding U.S. plans, intentions, and capabilities; and disrupts or neutralizes hostile intelligence activities through legal and operational means. This program is designed for individuals interested in establishing a command of the statecraft of U.S. Counterintelligence and the law, policy, strategy, and operations which support it.
This degree is taught primarily by senior counterintelligence professionals, including Prof. John Quattrocki, former Director of U.S. Counterintelligence Policy at the National Security Council, and Prof. Paul Kepp, former CIA Assistant Director.
The Master of Arts in War Studies examines key war studies disciplines, such as: Nation-State and Non-Nation-State Conflict; Strategic and Security Studies; National Security and Emerging Threats; Great Power Competition: Military and Technological Dimensions; History of Military Strategies, Operations, and Tactics; and the Evolution of Warfare. This program is designed for individuals seeking to pursue and advance careers in national security and professional military fields.
Courses in this M.A. are taught by professors with extensive experience in military affairs. They include Dr. Christopher C. Harmon, former Bren Chair of Great Power Competition at Marine Corps University, and Dr. Wayne A. Schroeder, former Deputy Under Secretary at the Department of Defense.
“We are thrilled to announce these new M.A. programs as part of IWP’s degree offerings,” said Dr. Tim McCranor, Dean of Academics at IWP. “These new programs have been modeled on IWP’s highly successful M.A. in Strategic Intelligence Studies. They are designed to offer both structure and flexibility: the grounding of IWP’s core curriculum, a focused path of required courses in a student’s chosen field, and the freedom to draw from IWP’s broad range of electives.”
The three new M.A. degree programs will be open for enrollment beginning in Fall 2026.