Certificate in National Security Affairs
Program Overview
The Certificate in National Security Affairs is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the formation and operation of United States national security policy. This graduate level certificate program is intended for individuals already established in professional careers involving national security. Individuals or organizations, acting on behalf of selected employees, may apply to the certificate program. Public agencies or private firms may enter into a contract for employees whom they select for participation in the program.
The plan of study for the Certificate in National Security Affairs requires 12 credit hours of coursework, including 6 credit hours that must be taken in a short, intensive residential term at Texas A&M University. The remaining 6 credit hours will be taken via distance education methods, primarily synchronous video teleconferencing.
Program Highlights
- Texas A&M University graduate course credit
- Credits and certificate recognized on official transcript
- Challenging and varied curriculum
- Nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty
- Opportunity to build working relationships with other professionals in the field
Eligibility Requirements
Individuals may apply who hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university. Those with a graduate degree must have a minimum of three years employment experience in a firm, laboratory, agency, or nongovernmental organization in which the individual's responsibilities involve the development or provision of systems, services, or products related to national or international security. Five years employment experience is required for those who hold a bachelor's degree.*
Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to graduate study at Texas A&M University as non-degree seeking students (G-6). Proficiency in reading, writing, and spoken English at a level necessary for graduate instruction is required.
*Agencies or organizations entering into a contract for a group of their employees to be admitted to the certificate program may designate those individuals to be included without regard to their years of employment.
Courses in the Certificate
Students complete four courses, 12 credit hours of graduate-level seminars. Two required courses must be taken during the 5-week summer term: The Role of Intelligence in Security Affairs and Deterrence and Coercion. Two additional courses, one each in the fall and spring semesters, may be taken in residence or via distance education methods. The spring semester course will be an integrative, concluding seminar on national security policy.
Program Administration
The certificate program is administered by the Bush School of Government and Public Service, in cooperation with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Texas A&M's Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute.
For more information about the Certificate in National Security Affairs, including individual and group-rate costs for both the residential and distance components, contact:
Dr. Charles Hermann, MPIA Director
Telephone: 979-458-2276
E-mail: chermann@bushschool.tamu.edu
