Certificate in National Security Affairs and International Relations
The certificate program is designed for professionals in the field seeking career advancement, those who aspire to enter the field, individuals in related professions, and those retired from the military and government seeking consulting and other positions. Examples of potential students include personnel in the military, federal, state and local governments, law enforcement, corporations, and academia, as well as recent college graduates. For students with a graduate degree or pursuing a graduate degree in another field, this would be a valuable complement to their existing program. The program focuses on building the critical analytical skills graduates need to succeed professionally in the field of national security affairs. The ability to critically analyze intelligence information, historical and contemporary issues informing the field, and to perform textual analyses, defines the program core’s most important learning outcomes.
The Graduate Certificate in National Security Affairs and International Relations is a 15 credit hour program. Students will complete any five of the six core courses in the M.S. in National Security Affairs and International Relations. Students who are in good standing in the NSAIR certificate program may speak with the department about the MS program. The program is designed to be completed entirely online; however, there are few of the courses that maybe offered in the residential format and students may select those sections as appropriate.
Certificate Information
(12 Credits)
Choose four courses from the following:
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credit Hours |
NSAM 5001 | Current Issues in National Security | 3 |
NSAM 5003 | National Intelligence Collection | 3 |
NSAM 5004 | Border Protection and Military Issues | 3 |
NSAM 5010 | U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security | 3 |
NSAM 5014 | Ethical Issues in National Security | 3 |
NSAM 5015 | International Relations: Theory and Practice | 3 |
(13 Credits)
Choose from one of the following:
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credit Hours |
NSAM 5002 | Terrorists and Terrorism: Theory and Practice | 3 |
NSAM 5016 | Civil Liberties and National Security | 3 |
NSAM 5020 | International Law and Institutions | 3 |
NSAM 5030 | American Government and Domestic Security | 3 |
NSAM 5040 | Cyber Conflicts and Statecraft | 3 |
DEM 5090 | Weapons of Mass Threat and Communicable Diseases | 3 |
NSAM 5502 | Directed Readings in National Security Affairs | 3 |
NSAM 5650 | Economic Statecraft in National Security Affairs | 3 |
NSAM 6130 | Practicum/Internship | 3 |
NSAM 6690 | Special Topics in National Security Affairs and International Relations | 3 |
Graduate Open House
Join us on Friday, October 6th at 5:30 PM EST to learn more about National Security Affairs, including careers within the field, NSU graduate degree offerings, and the application process.
This event is free and open for all to attend. You may register for the Open House here.
Program directors and department faculty from the Department of Humanities and Politics and NSU Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions will be in attendance to answer your questions about your program(s) of interest.
1 | Completed NSU Graduate Application and $50 Non-refundable Application Fee |
2 |
Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Official transcripts from all schools attended and/or agency evaluation of foreign degree. |
3 | An admissions essay - please briefly (500-1,000 words) explain why you are interested in the Graduate Certificate in National Security Affairs and International Relations program, your professional goals, your assessment of your abilities to manage the challenges of graduate school, and any other information you would like to provide. The personal statement helps us get to know you beyond the objective data provided in review of your course grades and other objective information. It also demonstrates your ability to communicate your thoughts in a professional, organized, and succinct manner. |
4 | Submit one academic or professional letter of recommendation written within the past six months. |
5 | Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; master's GPA 3.0 or higher. |
6 | An interview may be required for admission. |
7 |
For non-native English speakers and graduates of foreign institutions (where English is not the primary language instruction). Demonstrate English-language proficiency is required through one of the following options:
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The Graduate Certificate in National Security Affairs and International Relations program enrolls new students every academic semester.
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David Kilroy, Ph.D.
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Ransford Edwards, Ph.D.
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Theodore Uy
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ENTRY TERM (START) |
DEADLINE DATE |
Fall (August) | July 19th, 2024 |
Winter (January) | November 17th, 2023 |
Summer (May) | April 12th, 2024 |