International Security (MA)

Who should apply?

The program trains early to mid-career professionals who seek the analytical and substantive capabilities to address the security challenges of the 21st century. In addition to understanding the traditional military and diplomatic approaches that characterized the state-centric security framework of the last century, the program’s core courses will provide a firm grounding with regard to public-private and international collaborative responses to emerging and unconventional threats, ranging from transnational crime, terrorism, illicit trade, proliferation of emerging technologies and WMD, and corruption to state fragility and ethnic and sectarian conflict.

Why choose George Mason?

With George Mason University’s prime location in the Washington, D.C. area, Schar School students gain access to leading practitioners who are internationally recognized for their scholarship and advisory roles in the public and private sectors. These faculty bring real-world experience to the classroom, providing you with the mentorship and skillsets needed to advance in your career.

The Schar School as a whole has 80+ faculty members, as well as hundreds of adjunct faculty, allowing students to gain access to a variety of perspectives and subjects through elective courses. Notable faculty members in the international security program include program director Ellen Laipson, Retired General Michael V. Hayden, Gregory Koblentz, Louise I. Shelley, Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, Michael Hunzeker, David C. Williams, Robert Dietz, Ambassador Richard Kauzlarich, and many others.

Program requirements may change; please refer to the International Security, MA Program Page in the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements. This program can be completed completely online or in a hybrid format.

Requirements: 36 credits total

• 21 credits core courses
• 15 credits Electives and/or Concentration Courses

Core Courses (21 credits)

• PUBP 504 Grand Strategy | 3 credits
• PUBP 506 Ethics and the Use of Force | 3 credits
• PUBP 505 Politics and Practice of International Security Policy | 3 credits
• GOVT 540 International Relations | 3 credits
• GOVT 745 International Security | 3 credits
• BIOD 760 National Security Technology and Policy | 3 credits
• Select one of the following:
  • POGO 511 Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government | 3 credits
  • or ITRN 501 Data Analysis for Global Political Economy | 3 credits

Electives and/or Concentration Courses (15 credits)

Students may pursue the program with or without a concentration. Focus area courses have been selected to provide additional breadth and depth on specific security challenges or areas of policy debate.

Elective Options For Students Not Pursuing a Concentration

Managing Global Risks

National Security Policy and Processes

Regional and Transnational Security Challenges

If desired, a student can declare one of three concentrations: Intelligence (IN), Peace Operations (PO), and Transnational Challenges (TC). Select four courses of the 15 elective credits within the area of concentration. Preapproved courses include the following. Additional courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.

Concentration in Intelligence (IN)

Concentration in Peace Operations (PO)

Concentration in Transnational Challenges (TC)

Tuition

All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Additionally, visit the Office of Military Services for information about Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA), a benefit for eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

In addition to university-wide resources, the Schar School has a dedicated team of student services and career development advisors to assist you in your academic and professional plans.

The Master’s in International Security program prepares students for a range of industries and roles in the public and private sectors, including with the government, think tanks, defense contractors, and NGOs. Top employers of international security graduates include the Department of Defense, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, Lockheed-Martin, Northrup-Grumman, BAE Systems, the Department of State, Department of Energy, SAIC, and the Brookings Institution, among others.

Application Requirements

• Graduate application and fee
• 750-1,000 word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
• Current resume
• Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. For international institutions, transcripts may be unofficial but should include cumulative transcripts, degree certificate, individual semester marksheets (if applicable), and diploma (if applicable)
• Two letters of recommendation. At least one recommendation should be from an individual who is qualified to attest to the candidate’s academic potential
• Additional requirements for applicants with international credentials

Scholarship Requirements

The Schar School of Policy and Government awards merit-based scholarships based on an applicant’s academic achievements.

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact schar@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2280.