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.
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
IAFF 6153 Science, Technology and National Security
IAFF 6158 Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy
(Science, Technology, and Global Statecraft)
IAFF 6165 Fundamentals of Intelligence
IAFF 6186 U.S. National Security
IAFF 6186 U.S. Grand Strategy
IAFF 6186 Emerging Threats
IAFF 6186 Analysis of Military Operations
IAFF 6186 Military Power & Effectiveness
IAFF 6186 Great Power Competition
IAFF 6186 Maritime Security
IAFF 6186 Cyber Threats and Policy
IAFF 6186 Transnational Organized Crime
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?
Looking for Additional Information? Contact Us!
For more information, please contact Professor Sharon Squassoni at ssquassoni
email [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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