Naval Security Studies Graduate Certificate

U.S. sea power provides a strong foundation for global commerce and international security, underwriting alliances and international norms that help sustain world order. The graduate certificate in naval security studies equips students with a nuanced understanding of the strategic and diplomatic values of sea power & importance of naval missions to national security policy, as well as current naval and national security policy dilemmas and potential solutions. It is designed for graduate students in security-related fields or professionals in government, industry, and nonprofits who wish to develop a background in naval security. Students develop basic analytical skills and apply research in particular areas like the impact of technology innovation, international competition, and space, energy and environmental constraints to achieving naval objectives.

GW Bulletin Program of Study

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Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

A minimum of 15 credits, including one 3-credit core course
12 credits drawn from the courses listed below

Required: Core Course

IAFF 6186 Naval Strategy and Sea Power

(offered in the Fall semester)

Selection of Courses (12 Credits):

IAFF 6106 Nuclear Weapons

IAFF 6118 International Law & Use of Force

IAFF 6148 Space and National Security

Individuals working together with weaponry

IAFF 6153 Science, Technology and National Security

IAFF 6158 Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy

(Science, Technology, and Global Statecraft)

Two men looking at computer monitors that display a world map.

IAFF 6165 Fundamentals of Intelligence

American flag outside of government office building

IAFF 6186 U.S. National Security

Small American flag rested inside of a compass

IAFF 6186 U.S. Grand Strategy

Cutout of world map on a switch board

IAFF 6186 Emerging Threats

IAFF 6186 Analysis of Military Operations

Air force formation flying over navy ships.

IAFF 6186 Military Power & Effectiveness

IAFF 6186 Great Power Competition

IAFF 6186 Maritime Security

Hacker on laptop with hood over head

IAFF 6186 Cyber Threats and Policy

Man takes notes in a police station in front of a board connecting leads on a crime.

IAFF 6186 Transnational Organized Crime

The ship and its carrier strike group are conducting naval operations.

LAW 6550 Law of the Sea

LAW 6552 Law of War

(prerequisite is LAW 6520 International Law)

What's the Naval Security Studies Certificate All About?

The graduate certificate in naval security studies prepares students to understand the role of and challenges for U.S. naval power in the 21st century. In addition to a required core course on naval strategy and sea power, students can choose up to four electives across security, intelligence, space, technology and strategy course offerings. In the certificate, students will be exposed to the range of security issues affecting American naval power, and provided with a strong grounding in policy analysis and decision-making. Graduate-level coursework may be applied toward select master’s degrees (Master's in Security Policy Studies or MA in International Affairs).

Some key questions include how sea power is used to achieve strategic and operational objectives in war and peace and how global/regional power shifts, domestic politics, economic drivers, and technological change shape naval strategy and force development. How do elements of US sea power provide unique ways and means for defense/national/grand strategy ends, while serving as a component of the joint force? How can scientific and technical innovation both threaten and enable strategic options for US sea power in an era of great power competition?

Next Steps

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Looking for Additional Information? Contact Us!

For more information, please contact Professor Sharon Squassoni at ssquassoniemail [dot] gwu [dot] edu (ssquassoni[at]email[dot]gwu[dot]edu).

Call: (202) 994-7050

Email: esiagradgwu [dot] edu (esiagrad[at]gwu[dot]edu)

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