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.
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. Supplemental activities, remote interactive video links, and administrative costs necessitate an additional substantial fee beyond university tuition and fees.
*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.
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.
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.
