Bush School Programs
Institutes | Centers | Programs
When the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University was established in 1997, President George H. W. Bush strongly desired a concentration in intelligence studies as part of the curriculum. Professor James Olson has used his lengthy career as a CIA undercover operative to teach intelligence. Student interest has been strong, and over 300 graduates have successfully completed the program. Today, the program is considered a top school for U.S. intelligence agencies and maintains practitioner expertise from the CIA, FBI, NSA, and U.S. military.
The Program on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) was established in November 2015 within the Department of International Affairs at Texas A&M University, with Professor Valerie M. Hudson serving as its first director. Its purpose is to provide a WPS node in the heartland of the United States, and its mission is three-fold: teaching, research, and outreach. The Program’s inaugural funding is provided by the Compton Foundation; and its research arm, The WomanStats Project, is currently funded by the US Department of Defense.
The Bush School’s Middle East Program prepares students in the Master of International Affairs and Master of International Policy degree programs for professional careers in government and the nongovernmental sector that require an in-depth knowledge of the Middle East. Four fulltime faculty members in the Department of International Affairs offer a range of courses on the region, exploring the domestic politics of regional states, religion and politics, regional political economy, post-conflict reconstruction and development, the international politics of the region, and American policy toward it.
The Bush School’s Cyber Policy, Strategy, and Security Program was established in 2018 in response to student demand and growth in the professional opportunities available to Bush School graduates in cyber policy and cybersecurity. It is headed up by Gen. J. Kevin McLaughlin, USAF (Ret.), whose last post before retiring from the Air Force was deputy commander of U.S. Cyber Command. The Program prepares students in the Master of International Affairs and Master of International Policy degree programs for professional careers in government and the nongovernmental sector in the cyber arena.
