phd in defense and strategic studies

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Defense and Strategic Studies Major

Defense & strategic studies.

Defense and strategic studies gives cadets the skills to succeed anywhere. Graduates can incorporate elements of national power, civil-military relations, strategic decision-making, and theories of international relations to analyze U.S. and foreign defense strategies.

Offered by the Department of Military Instruction .

Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) is an interdisciplinary major focused on understanding conflict, war, security, and defense by emphasizing a wide array of methodological approaches from the fields of military science, political science, international relations, economics, history, anthropology, and sociology to frame and analyze national and international security issues.

The Defense and Strategic Studies program is committed to teaching the next generation of future leaders in the Profession of Arms and as defense intellectuals in the civil sector. DSS majors are uniquely educated in the nuances of security and strategy through a rigorous interdisciplinary lens that delves deep into central issues of strategy, innovation, history, culture, the domains of war, and the elements of national power. Our cadets not only grasp the intricacies of national power and strategic decision-making on national and international scales, but they learn to apply timely knowledge to frame complex issues, develop viable and innovative solutions, and communicate effectively to diverse audiences.

Recognizing that strategy is pivotal in any competitive environment, from businesses to militaries, this program instills the analytical mindset and methodologies necessary to develop, execute, and assess impactful strategies. By exploring the moral intricacies of conflict, the dynamics of diverse cultures, and the contemporary innovations shaping defense, our cadets are prepared to lead across the spectrum of global challenges. Graduates emerge as warrior scholars, poised to excel in the Army and beyond, equipped with enhanced problem-solving, communication, and decision-making capabilities for the artful application of security and strategy.

This major offers an honors track.

DSS gives Cadets the skills to succeed anywhere. Graduates can incorporate elements of national power, civil-military relations, strategic decision-making, and theories of international relations to analyze U.S. and foreign defense strategies. Graduates are well-versed in the geographic security areas of interest to the Nation such as Africa, the South China Sea, Eastern Europe, the Arctic, the Middle East, and South America.

West Point Graduate Scholarship Program

Department academic counselor resources

Read an Army Futures Command Strategist’s MWI articles on preparing leaders for future war.

Read more about Defense and Strategic Studies in the West Point Association of Graduates magazine

Learn more about the DMI faculty and staff.

To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Military Instruction .

Core Courses

• DS320: Introduction to Strategic Studies
• DS370: Strategy and Policy
• DS495: Research Methods
• DS498: Leadership in Future War

Complementary Support Courses

Choose 3 from a list of 11 interdisciplinary courses from various academic departments at USMA. Course topics include cyber policy, law, applied statistics, history, anthropology, military geography, among others.

DSS Electives

Choose 4 from a list of 9 DSS courses, including Military Innovation, Persuasive Communication, Special Operations Theory and Practice, Rebellion, Insurgency, and Civil War, Domains of War, Comparative Defense Policy, among others.

Choose 2 from a list of 40+ courses from nearly every academic departments at USMA. 

Degree Types:

• Option 1: DSS
• Option 2: DSS with Thesis
• Option 3: DSS Honors with Thesis

To learn more, view the full Defense and Strategic Studies Major Curriculum .

Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) internships provide cadets with experiential learning opportunities in various fields, implementing concepts from their education in defense and strategic studies.  See other scholarship opportunities for DSS majors . Learn about Projects Day .

Honor Societies: Golden Key - International Honour Society Phi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor Society

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Military Instruction , the Modern War Institute , or the West Point Simulation Center .

Institutional Accreditation (Middle States Commission on Higher Education - MSCHE) - USMA was first accredited by  MSCHE  in 1949 and has been reaccredited each successive decade.

Middle States accreditation was reaffirmed in 2021 ( Copy of current statement of accreditation ).

The next program accreditation visit is scheduled in 2027-2028.  

Security Studies

Topics of study include:

• Grand strategies of the major powers.
• Arms competitions.
• Coercive diplomacy.
• Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
• Rapid shifts in regional and global distributions of capabilities.
• Insurgency, civil war, and regional political instability.
• Military force composition and capability.
• Civil-military relations.
• Innovations in military technologies.

The cluster combines social science training in international security and national defense policy, focused study of specific regions of the world, and exploration of the technical and scientific aspects of proliferation, weapons innovations, terrorist and counterterrorist operations, and insurgency and counterinsurgency warfare. This is an in-residence program, though absences may be taken for approved field research.

Security Studies Ph.D.

The Security Studies PhD program at UCF is a fast-paced, focused program for people who have already completed an MA in a related field. Students complete coursework and write their dissertation in as little as three years, which makes it well-suited for advanced students, people with professional experience, and military officers who want to improve their skills in their field or make a career shift.  Our students have found academic and professional success.  In the past couple of years, despite the small size of our program, our PhD students have published in quality, peer-reviewed publications, both on their own ( Civil Wars ,  Intelligence and National Security,  and others) and with faculty ( Conflict Management and Peace Science, African Affairs, Journal of Conflict Resolution,  etc . )  Our students have been placed in research positions with respected organizations and government bureaucracies, and won a nationally competitive fellowship.

Program Timeline

First year students  develop basic research skills and receive a grounding in the literature. By the end of the year, when they hold their first meeting with the Dissertation Committee, they should be making progress towards developing their dissertation topic.

Second year students  complete their coursework and qualifying exams and start work on their dissertation proposal.  Ideally, students will complete the proposal by the end of the second year.

Third year students  work on their dissertation.  Those who chose to do so also have opportunities to teach undergraduate courses in the department.  Depending on the student and their topic, some students will complete their dissertation by the end of the third year.  Others may need continue working on it beyond the third year.

Applying to the Security Studies PhD program

Fall 2023 applications must be completed by December 1, 2022 for International Applicants and  January 15, 2023 for Domestic Applicants

Applicants to our PhD program must complete an earned Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Politics/Affairs/Relations, or a clearly related discipline before enrolling.

• Students who expect to complete their degree before beginning the program may also apply.
• Masters degrees from accredited Professional Military Education institutions (War Colleges, the Naval Post Graduate School, etc.) are usually sufficient to meet this requirement.

Students must apply on line using UCF’s online graduate applications system, and should expect to submit:

• One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.*
• A 500 word personal statement that describes their preparation for PhD-level study, research interests, and post-degree career goals
• A 2500-word writing sample that demonstrates their ability to conduct graduate-level research
• An updated resume
• Three letters of references, at least one of which must be from a faculty member associated with their MA degree.
• If a student is not a native English speaker, a TOEFL score of 90 or better on the internet-based test (iBT); or a score of 232 or better on the TOEFL computer-based test; or a score of 575 or better on the TOEFL paper-based test; or a score of 7.0 or better on the IELTS
• Program statistics and admissions data can be found by visiting the College of Graduate Studies’ website .

*Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from  World Education Services (WES)  or  Josef Silny and Associates, Inc.  only.

The political science department makes funding offers to most students admitted to the program. Usually these are GTA positions that are guaranteed for three years, conditional on academic progress.  Depending on budgetary constraints, students who are making good progress may be funded in their fourth year.  We nominate our best applicants for UCF’s university fellowships.  The Presidential and Trustees Fellowships fund students for four years of study; other fellowships may be shorter but will be combined with department GTA positions to support students for at least 3 years of study.    We encourage applicants to apply for outside fellowships that they may also be eligible for.

Our faculty includes world-class researchers and teachers who have published in topic journals including the  American Political Science Review ,  International Organization ,  International Security ,  International Studies Quarterly ,  The Journal of Conflict Resolution, African Affairs , and other top journals.  We have a strong record of collaborating with students and guiding them as they develop their research.

Student Highlights

Our PhD students have published in high quality journals, both on their own and in collaboration with faculty members.

UCF Class Spotlight: Political Psychology

BY JENNA MARINA LEE Class Name POS 4206 – Political Psychology Description The psychological analysis of political behavior, with emphasis on the individual rather than the…

Students’ Papers Sweep Competition

The UCF Political Science Department is proud to announce that Jennifer L. Hudson, a graduate student in the Political Science master’s program, won the FPSA…

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the department fund PhD students in the summer?

Yes, PhD students who are enrolled during the summer are funded through GTA positions. During the summer, students may enroll in our online graduate courses or do independent work with individual faculty.

Do students typically secure funding in their fourth year, if they take more than a year to finish their dissertation?

The department makes every effort to support students in their fourth year. However, the department cannot guarantee 4 th  year funding, and depending on budgetary constraints that vary year by year, may not be able to fund some or all students in their fourth year.

Do I need to be in Orlando during the summers?

No. The department offers online graduate courses in the summer to allow students to continue their studies while travelling. We encourage students to use the summer time to pursue additional training through summer graduate workshops (ICPSR, IQRM, SWAMOS, SIPP, EITM, etc.), do field research work, or engage in professional opportunities with government agencies, research institutes, or the private sector.

How important is quantitative (i.e., statistical) training for your program?

All students in our program receive basic quantitative training and basic qualitative training. Students can pursue further training in our department, through other UCF departments, and other training programs like ICPSR. While some experience with statistical methods is useful, we do not require students to have well developed methodological skills on entry.

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Defense and strategic studies, the ma in defense and strategic studies is concerned with understanding topics such as military power and effectiveness, intelligence, diplomacy, and deterrence. these subjects are continually important for understanding international politics and security in an increasingly complex world. this professionally-oriented program is targeted toward us military officers and the civilian workforce in industries, government agencies, and think tanks related to international relations and national security. the ma in defense and strategic studies program requires 30 credit hours, and is offered entirely online. extensive transfer credit for military schooling is offered., degrees offered.

100% Online

Director of Graduate Study

Stephen quackenbush.

[email protected] 573-882-2082 E323 Locust Street Building

Departmental Contact

[email protected] 573-882-2062 W110A Locust Street Building

Admission Criteria

Summer deadline: April 15 Fall deadline: July 15 Spring deadline: November 15

• A BA or equivalent from an accredited institution
• Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Those with a GPA under 3.0 will need very strong qualities in other areas (such as professional experience) to gain admission.

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Required Application Materials

For the graduate school.

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of  English Proficiency Exams  (International applicants only)

For the Defense and Strategic Studies Program

• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• GRE scores (Optional)
• TOEFL scores (Required for international applicants)
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Public Policy PhD in National Security Studies

Transfer credits, next start date, help protect america’s future by pursuing a public policy phd in national security policy.

Do you want to play an integral role in creating effective policies designed to keep our nation safe? Perhaps you’ve worked in the public sector or national defense for some time, and you’re searching for a valuable, terminal degree that can help you maximize your earning potential and take your career to new heights. If you have a passion for public policy and national defense and you’d like to prepare for a research-based career that allows you to serve as an advocate for policies you believe in, our PhD in Public Policy – National Security Policy is a great option.

Throughout American history, the United States has faced countless domestic and international security threats. The study of national security challenges isn’t just an academic subject — it is crucial to America’s sovereignty. At Liberty, we recognize the importance of studying public policy and national security, and we’ve designed our public policy PhD in national security studies program with full awareness of the national security challenges that the United States faces. Our PhD in Public Policy – National Security Policy has been designed to help you anticipate and confront both foreign and domestic threats. 

Through our flexible and affordable online courses, you will study a wide range of national security issues — including operational strategy, lawmaking, policy implementation, and law enforcement — that can help equip you to combat foreign and domestic threats to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Liberty University’s PhD in Public Policy – National Security Policy can provide you with well-rounded training in the essential theories and practices of government and policymaking while also giving you deep insight into national security challenges and potential solutions. 

How long is a PhD in Public Policy? Liberty’s online PhD in Public Policy – national security strategy takes students an average of 3 years to complete. With no set login times and and most courses offered in a convenient 8-week format , you can complete your degree at Liberty on a schedule that works for you.

Our PhD in counseling online degree is taught by professionals with real-world experience in clinical and leadership settings. The PhD in Counseling program curriculum builds on your knowledge and expertise to grow critical thinking, leadership, and clinical skills. Whether you are seeking to expand in your current role or explore other areas within the counseling field, our PhD in Counseling online program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and training you need.

Why Choose Liberty’s PhD Degree in Public Policy – National Security Policy?

This degree is more than an ordinary PhD in national security and strategic studies online. Our public policy and national security PhD can help make you a principled, well-rounded public policy expert who has an advanced understanding of national security policy, public policy, and political science. 

By specializing in national security, you can become better equipped to manage the most challenging security issues of our time. The knowledge and applicable biblical values you gain through this program can help you make a greater legislative impact on policymaking. With these tools, you can be equipped to conduct research, work with policymakers, and implement laws that help increase the quality of life for the people in your jurisdiction.

Our PhD in Public Policy – national security studies is taught by a distinguished group of expert professors who have a vested interest in your success. We realize that college is about more than writing essays and taking exams, which is why our professors are available for mentorship and professional guidance. You can learn from the experience of our instructors as you work towards the completion of your public policy PhD and pursue job positions upon graduation.

At Liberty, you’ll benefit from nearly 40 years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you, and we look forward to working with you to accomplish your personal and career goals. Each course within our public policy doctoral program is taught from a Christian worldview, and we believe our focus on ethics and moral decision-making as they relate to public policy development helps set us apart from other universities.

Military Tuition Discount We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work towards your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession — for less.

What Will You Learn in Our Doctoral Degree in Public Policy – National Security Studies? 

Our online doctoral degree in public policy – national security can help train you to effectively shape national security policies in the areas of legislation, communications, politics, and international relations. This degree allows you to take advanced courses in policy and governmental functions as well as conduct in-depth, meaningful research as you write your dissertation.

Liberty’s public policy online PhD in security studies is divided into 4 sections: core policy courses, research-focused courses, national security courses, and a dissertation sequence. In the public policy section of this PhD program, you will study the foundations of public policy, natural law, government, and the Gospel’s role in public policy. You will also explore the Founding Era, the US Constitution, contemporary challenges to the Constitution, federalism, and competing visions of statesmanship.

The research courses of our online doctorate in public policy – national security studies offer an overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods for policymakers, policy analysis and research design, and data analysis for policymakers. This section of our PhD program in public policy administration and national security is designed to prepare you for the research you will conduct as you write your dissertation. 

Our national security courses will guide you through studies in the relationship between public policy and national security efforts, historic national security policies, and research in national security policy. Your dissertation consists of 5 sequential courses that conclude with a dissertation defense where you will present your findings to our Helms School of Government faculty.

Through our PhD in Public Policy – National Security, you can become a more knowledgeable and prepared professional who is capable of navigating complex policy issues and mitigating national security threats. Whether you want to work in the defense sector, as a member of a legislative body, or at a think tank, our public policy PhD in national security studies can help you accomplish your career goals. Partner with us and take your career to new heights. 

PhD in Public Policy Featured Courses

• PLCY 700 – Foundations of Public Policy
• PLCY 802 – Competing Visions of Statesmanship
• PLCY 805 – Policy Analysis and Research Design
• PLCY 880 – Introduction to National Security Policy Studies

Benefits of Choosing Liberty University’s Online PhD in Public Policy – National Security Policy

We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility . Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America . Earning your online degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.

• The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
• Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ).
• This program is mostly offered in an 8-week course format with no set login times!
• You can complete our online PhD in Public Policy with a specialization in national security policy in as little as 3 years.
• You will be taught by expert professors who have years of real-world experience in public policy and national security.

What Can You Do with a Public Policy PhD in National Security?

Our PhD in Public Policy – national security studies is designed to help equip you for a number of career options. By successfully completing our public policy and national security PhD program, you can become prepared to pursue the following career options:

• Counterterrorism analyst
• Federal agent
• Government employee
• Intelligence analyst
• National security policy researcher
• Professor (higher education)
• Senior public policy analyst

PhD in Public Policy Degree Online Program Information

• This program falls under the  Helms School of Government .
• Download and review the  Degree Completion Plan .
• View the Graduate Government Course Guides   (login required) .

  Apply Now     Request Info

Admission Requirements for Liberty’s PhD in Public Policy

A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with a 3.0 or above GPA is required for admission in good standing. Please visit our  admission requirements page  for more detailed admissions-related information.

All applicants must submit the following:

• Admission application
• Application fee*
• Official college transcripts
• Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)

*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, Non-Degree Seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and Certificates.

Apply FREE This Week*

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Public policy: economic policy, public policy: foreign policy, looking for a different program.

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Defense and Strategic Studies

Get a graduate degree.

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Graduate programs

Master of science, defense and strategic studies.

This program operates in Fairfax, Virginia, and is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Department of Defense and Strategic Studies 9302 Lee Hwy, Suite 760, Phone 703-218-3565 [email protected]

Program description

The primary objective of the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies program is to provide professional, graduate level academic education and training for students planning careers in the fields of national security policy, international security affairs, defense analysis, arms control, and education. In essence, this is a graduate international studies program with emphasis on security problems, strategic interests, and U.S. policy and policy-making. It is a program in public affairs.

Option areas

The Defense and Strategic Studies program offers two options:

• Defense and Strategic Studies/General (DSS/General)
• Defense and Strategic Studies/Weapons of Mass Destruction Studies (DSS/WMD)

Retention requirements

To remain in the program, the student must maintain, by the completion of the second semester, a minimum GPA of 3.00 in DSS courses and in all graduate work, and make satisfactory progress toward the MS degree.

Entrance requirements

Admission to the program requires a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours, a satisfactory Graduate Record Examination score (e.g., 290 or higher combined score on the verbal and quantitative), and letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty or professionals acquainted with the students academic work or research and analytical skills. A relatively low GRE score may be compensated by an impressive undergraduate GPA and strong letters of recommendation.

Demonstrated graduate-level performance through a minimum of nine hours may compensate for GRE or undergraduate GPA weaknesses.

Degree requirements (36 hours)

Core Requirements . All students will take two core courses: Seminar on Nuclear Strategy and Arms Control, DSS 601 (3); and Seminar on International Security Affairs, DSS 632 (3). A minimum of 30 additional seminar hours would be selected by the student from the other DSS courses offered.

For the DSS/General option, the full array of elective courses is available.

For the DSS/WMD option, electives from the DSS course offerings that focus on WMD topics are required. See Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Graduate Certificate .

Research . A student will be required to complete either the Thesis option or the Non-thesis option.

• Thesis Option . Completion of a satisfactory thesis in the candidate's discipline. Thesis credit shall be no more than 3 semester hours of the minimum 36 hours required for a master's degree. If the student fails to complete the thesis during the semester in which they are first enrolled in DSS 799 , they must enroll in DSS 794 , Active in Research, each semester until the thesis is finished. For the DSS/WMD option, the thesis topic must focus on an approved WMD subject.
• Non-Thesis Option . A comprehensive examination covering the DSS core field of study must be passed, and a research paper is required as part of the non-thesis exam. Students must be registered for a course in order to complete the non-thesis oral exam. DSS 794 or DSS 796 is recommended. For the DSS/WMD option, the non-thesis research paper and oral exam must focus on an approved WMD subject.

Defense and Strategic Studies Graduate Program

Make a difference in national defense with an online master’s degree

Earn a rare degree. Join one of the nation’s top graduate programs specializing in national security and defense.

Design your degree to fit your interests. Focus on security policy, defense analysis, arms control, diplomacy or other key areas.

Be ready to thrive in your field.

• Get started
• Review program requirements

Option areas

Choose the option area that meets your goals and interests.

Both options are available fully online, or you can take a mix of seated/online classes.

Similar programs

Don’t need a full master’s degree? Our certificates are designed for mid-career professionals.

• Defense and strategic studies certificate
• Countering weapons of mass destruction certificate

The defense and strategic studies (DSS) department is located in the Washington, D.C. metro area, in the nearby suburb of Fairfax, Virginia. Our student body is diverse, with a mix of traditional, mid-career and active-duty military.

Want to know more? Review frequently asked questions .

Accreditation

• Missouri: Higher Learning Commission
• Virginia: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

Great value for your degree

Our program is one of the most affordable in the region. 

Review our  estimated costs  for more details.

Why earn a master’s degree in defense and strategic studies at Missouri State?

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The experts and pros teach you. Your faculty are leading scholars, analysts and policymakers.

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Get a Washington, D.C. education with a Missouri price tag. You can earn a master’s degree at a lower cost than similar programs. Pay for school with  scholarships and financial aid .

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Meet, study with and learn from people who actively work in the defense industry. 

Be primed for your next step

If you take seated classes, you’re in a great place to find internships  and start  your career . The Washington, D.C. metro area has many options. Most students land a job before or shortly after they graduate.

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This program operates in Fairfax, Virginia, and is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

John Rose, Program Director 9302 Lee Hwy, Suite 760, Phone 703-218-3565 [email protected]

Program Description

The Doctor of Defense and Strategic Studies (DDSS) program provides knowledge and skills in the field of international security studies with an emphasis on countering the threat posed by Weapons of Mass Destruction to U.S. and allied national security. This program will prepare national and international security professionals to work in various settings, including civilian and military public service, non-governmental “think tanks,” and commercial defense industry. Graduates specialize in various global or regional international security issues and are able to assess specific security challenges, formulate prospective options for addressing those challenges, and identify the prospective policy and other requirements needed to help implement those options to strengthen U.S. and allied security conditions.

Entrance Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Doctorate of Defenses and Strategic Studies (DDSS), a student must meet the requirements listed below.

• Completion of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.00 over the last 60 hours of academic work taken.
• A personal philosophy statement that addresses the applicant’s professional career goals and how the program will help accomplish these goals.
• Two letters of recommendation from graduate faculty or professionals acquainted with the student’s academic work or research and analytical skills.
• A brief C.V.
• Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Retention Requirements

Consistent with Graduate College policy, students may not accumulate more than 9 hours of grades below a B- and remain in the program

Degree Requirements Credit Hours: 30 or 66

Foundation courses credit hours: 36.

Foundation courses may be taken from the department’s master’s degree program (courses listed below). Students who hold a master’s degree in a related field can be admitted with advanced standing and may not be required to complete additional foundation courses.

• DSS 601 - Seminar on Nuclear Strategy and Arms Control
• DSS 632 - Seminar on International Security Affairs
• DSS 700 - Strategy and U.S. Defense Policy
• DSS 707 - Seminar on Congress, National Security, and Weapons of Mass Destruction
• DSS 710 - Seminar on International Terrorism and Security
• DSS 719 - Strategic Culture
• DSS 720 - Internship Training in DSS Policy
• DSS 721 - Missile Defense, Proliferation and Contemporary Warfare
• DSS 722 - Emerging Strategic Challenges
• DSS 723 - Counterproliferation
• DSS 725 - Seminar on Instruments of State Power
• DSS 727 - Chemical and Biological Warfare: Global and Community Perspectives
• DSS 796 - Directed Reading and Research in Defense and Strategic Studies
• DSS 797 - Special Topics

Core Courses Credit Hours: 15

• DSS 801 - Advanced Nuclear Strategy, Deterrence and Arms Control
• DSS 832 - Advanced Survey and Writing in International Security Affairs
• 6 credits of   DSS 896 - Doctoral Capstone Project: Advanced Tutorial Course on Deterrence Theory and Policy

Advanced Seminars Credit Hours: 15

Advanced seminar courses focus on application of foundational knowledge. Students work with their advisor to choose courses that are relevant for their focus of study. Course options are listed below.

• DSS 702 - Seminar on Regional Security Problems
• DSS 705 - NATO Security Issues
• DSS 708 - Seminar on Contemporary Security Issues in Russia
• DSS 713 - Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and Covert Action
• DSS 724 - Leadership in National Security Policy
• DSS 726 - Chinese Military Power
• DSS 728 - Terrorism: Advanced Research Topics
• DSS 737 - Advanced Studies in Chemical and Biological Warfare
• DSS 840 - Seminar on National Security Strategies

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Defense & Strategic Studies

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• DS320 Intro into Strategic Studies
• DS370 Strategy and Policy
• DS345 Military Innovation
• Research Journals

Your Librarian

Defense & Strategic Studies (DSS) is an interdisciplinary major focused on understanding conflict, war, security, and defense by emphasizing a wide array of methodological approaches from the fields of military science, political science, international relations, economics, history, anthropology, and sociology to frame and analyze national and international security issues. Graduates are well-versed in the geographic security areas of interest to the Nation such as Africa, the South China Sea, Eastern Europe, the Arctic, the Middle East, and South America.

DSS Cadets visit the Estonian Parliament during their AIAD  

Battle of the Blue Hills Staff Ride

The Most Professionally Relevant Major  

3rd Most Popular Major at West Point

Pursue Your Passion!

Faculty Development Opportunities  

Saratoga and Fort Ticonderoga, NY

DSS Cadets Engage Former SECDEF, Dr. Mark Esper

DSS Supports CST 2022

DSS Awarded Best Interdisciplinary Capstone in 2022

Tons of Summer Internship Opportunities!

Class of 2026 Majors Fair!

Major Matt McClary Briefs the Future of DSS  

DSS Lecture Series: Drones and Global OrderGuest Lecturer:

LTC Paul Lushenko, PhD (January 2023)

• Citation Help Check this out for additional citation help. Remember, you can get citations for articles and books in Scout search.
• Zotero Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research.
• Chicago Manual of Style This link opens in a new window The D/SOC uses Chicago Style (Notes and Bibliography, i.e. "Full Note") 17th Edition, an authoritative reference work for students, faculty, librarians, authors, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers.
• Chicago Manual of Style Political Science Reference Guide Focuses on citation field styles utilized when citing political science sources.
• Purdue Owl Guide to Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) assists students in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level. Please note that although these resources reflect the most recent updates in the Chicago Manual of Style (17th Edition) concerning documentation practices, you can review a full list of updates at the Chicago Manual of Style Online website.

War on the Rocks is a platform for analysis, commentary, and debate on foreign policy and national security issues through a realist lens. It features articles and podcasts, some open access.  It can be accessed on the USMA Library database list.

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• Last Updated: Mar 21, 2024 2:39 PM
• URL: https://library.westpoint.edu/dss

College of Liberal Arts

Defense & Strategic Studies, MDSS

Our world faces multiple, complex security challenges. The 100% online Master of Defense and Strategic Studies degree helps students navigate and understand these issues. Learn about cyberwarfare, information operations and space strategy. Build analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills to serve and lead in 21st century defense, foreign policy and national security.

Become a skilled strategic thinker and analyst of global security challenges

100% online, flexible degree plan tailored to your schedule, including 12-month fast-track option

Financial aid and military benefits available

GRADUATE PREPARED FOR INTELLIGENCE OR DIPLOMACY CAREER

Cameron Garcia said the MDSS program honed his abilities to research, understand and explain the causes and potential ramifications of contemporary socio-political events. He lauded the online program’s international security classes. Cameron is an intelligence analyst with an international health care organization, and he has taken steps to become a Department of State Foreign Service Officer.

Career Opportunities

Graduates find government jobs in national security and intelligence fields, as well as jobs with private sector cybersecurity firms, defense contractors and academic institutions. For those in the military, this degree helps advance careers.

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Master of arts in defense and strategic studies.

The Master of Arts (MA) in Defense and Strategic Studies Program focuses on an important area of study centered on understanding political and military strategy, concerned with topics such as military power and effectiveness, intelligence, diplomacy, and deterrence. The program is designed for US military officers and the civilian workforce in industries, government agencies, and think tanks related to international relations and national security programs and policy. 

The program is targeted towards US military officers and the civilian workforce in industries, government agencies, and think tanks related to international relations and national security. For military officers the degree is beneficial in order to be promoted to higher ranks, and will help them further understand international politics and strategy needed for their jobs. Military officers should be able to make command decisions and complete staff assignments with greater understanding of the broader context surrounding them because of their broadened intellectual horizon and increased understanding of international relations theory, conflict, and security learned through the program. Similarly, the intellectual base and knowledge gained in the program will enable civilian graduates to become qualified for and/or better perform job duties at positions in government agencies, think tanks, and industries related to international security.

Admissions 

Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. Applicants must have a BA or equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Those with a GPA under 3.0 will need very strong qualities in other areas (such as professional experience) to gain admission. GRE scores are optional. For international applicants, TOEFL scores (or other proof of English language proficiency) are required. If you are not an active MU non-degree-seeking or graduate student, you will need to apply through the Graduate School  online portal . There is a non-refundable application fee.  

Application Materials 

• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation (minimum)
• GRE scores (optional)
• Transcripts of all previous college/university education
• Proof of English language ability (required of applicants whose native language is not English) 

Degree Requirements 

The MA in Defense and Strategic Studies requires 30 credit hours, and is offered entirely online. All courses are eight weeks long, which allows students to complete two courses per semester even while taking only one course at a time. Students take three core courses and seven electives. At least two electives must be at the 8000-level. All courses are 3 credit hours. 12 hours of transfer credit will be accepted to current or former US military officers who are in or have previously completed Intermediate Level Education (ILE) at particular military command and staff colleges.  For more information, visit the Missouri Online page .

POL_SC 8450 International Conflict 

POL_SC 8470 Understanding Civil War 

POL_SC 8550 Strategic Studies

POL_SC 7412 Strategy and Warfare 

POL_SC 7415 Peacekeeping and Intervention 

POL_SC 7500 Insurgency and Counterinsurgency 

POL_SC 7510 Intelligence and National Security 

POL_SC 7520 Deterrence and Nuclear Weapons 

POL_SC 7540 American Foreign Policies 

POL_SC 7560 Military and Strategic Thought 

POL_SC 8400 International Relations Theory 

POL_SC 8560 Military Innovation in Peace and War 

PUB_AF 8170 Public Policy Processes and Strategies 

PUB_AF 8210 Public Service and Democracy 

PUB_AF 8530 Strategic Management of Public Service Organizations 

For general questions about the program, contact: 

Stephen Quackenbush , Program Director  (573) 882-2082  [email protected]  

Jacob Owen , Student Support Specialist  (573) 882-2062  [email protected]  

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The Department of Defense Releases the Updated Strategic Management Plan for Fiscal Years 2022 - 2026

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks has approved the updated Fiscal Years 2022 – 2026 DoD Strategic Management Plan.

The SMP serves as the Department of Defense's strategic framework to manage strategic priorities and goals in support of the 2022 National Defense Strategy. It focuses on building enduring advantages and addressing institutional management priorities by using data-analytics to enhance oversight and reform efforts. Additionally, the SMP meets the statutory requirements pursuant the Government Performance and Results Act Modernization Act of 2010 and is published every year with the objective of articulating near-term progress on SMP implementation along with the long-term objectives the department plans to accomplish.

The SMP preparation is led by the department's Performance Improvement Officer and is developed through collaborative coordinated partnerships with the DOD components. The published SMP is reviewed as part of the annual fiscal budget process to ensure it remains aligned with achieving the strategic goals of the President's budget, the NDS, and the Secretary of Defense's priorities. For the first time, the FY2025 update to the SMP incorporates outcome-driven performance goals and measures for Military Departments to ensure that the SMP strategic framework accurately represents the work executed by the MILDEP in contribution to strategic priorities and objectives. 

The SMP includes the Annual Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report. The FY2025 APP reflects the SMP's longer-term planning outlook by linking its strategic goals and objectives to operational performance goals, measures, and targets for the upcoming fiscal year. The FY2023 APR consolidates prior year performance results across all DOD components and communicates overall implementation progress against the SMP.

The SMP strategic priorities and objectives – together with the performance goals, measures, and targets – showcase how the department intends to achieve its goals and priorities and succeed through teamwork across the defense enterprise. The FY2025 SMP focuses on five strategic priorities:

• Take Care of Our People and Cultivate the Workforce We Need
• Transform the Foundation of the Future Force
• Make the Right Technology Investments
• Strengthen Resilience and Adaptability of Our Defense Ecosystem
• Address Institutional Management Priorities

The full SMP is published online on the Performance Improvement Officer/Director of Administration and Management's performance website: https://dam.defense.gov/Performance-Mgmt/ .

You can also find it on defense.gov here .

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Analysis: How Will Israel Respond to the Iranian Attack?

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How Will Israel Respond to the Iranian Attack?

The answer could determine whether the region is heading for all-out war..

• Middle East and North Africa

The latest Iranian salvo against Israel is raising fears that a regional war will engulf the Middle East. On Saturday, Iran launched a large drone and missile attack against Israel and seized an Israeli-linked container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. These attacks followed the Israeli assassination of several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leaders in Syria.

The Iranian assault on Israel included more than 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. This is obviously quite a bit more than the 15 ballistic missiles Iran fired at Ayn al-Asad Air Base and Erbil International Airport in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Qassem Suleimani, who led the IRGC’s elite Quds Force, in January 2020. The difference speaks to several points worth considering.

First, the retaliation for Suleimani’s death was about nothing more than restoring Iranian honor. Brazenly killing so important and popular a figure as Suleimani demanded some Iranian response, but Tehran was cautious because it feared an escalatory war with the United States.

Those killed by the Israeli attack on Iran’s Damascus embassy complex on April 1 were not as famous or as powerful as Suleimani, but the retaliation was larger and more sophisticated. The difference suggests that this response was about more than just honor: It was about some element of deterrence.

Iran is well aware of the extent and capability of Israel’s air defenses. The scale of the strike was almost certainly designed to enable at least some of the attacking munitions to penetrate those defenses and cause some degree of damage. Their inability to do so was doubtless a disappointment to Tehran, but the Iranians can probably still console themselves that the attack was frightening for the Israeli people and alarming to their government. Iran probably hopes that it was unpleasant enough to give Israeli leaders pause the next time they consider an operation like the embassy strike.

Nevertheless, while 300 or more attacking munitions certainly sounds like a lot, it also shows signs of restraint that signal Tehran’s own concerns about further escalation. First, Iran could have launched considerably more—not orders of magnitude more but probably at least double what it did without badly depleting stockpiles of its longest-range assets. Second, initial reporting indicates that the attack reportedly focused on one or more military targets, including an Israeli air force base outside Beersheba. That, too, suggests an important degree of caution on Iran’s part. It could have launched at Tel Aviv or Haifa, where any impact would have been far more likely to kill Israeli civilians.

Third, Hezbollah did not participate. Hezbollah is Iran’s ace in the hole. With more than 150,000 rockets and missiles, the Lebanese militant group could overwhelm Israeli air defenses. But Hezbollah is an Iranian ally, not a puppet, and a massive Hezbollah strike could have provoked an all-out war with Israel, something Hezbollah has been trying to avoid . Tehran would only play the Hezbollah card if what it is doing is critically important to it.

All of this reinforces the strategic assessment that Iran is not looking to escalate with Israel and is, in fact, working very hard to avoid escalation. Although Israel has hit Iran’s ally Hamas hard, the war in Gaza has gone very well for Tehran so far. Israel was badly wounded in Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7, 2023, plans for Israeli-Saudi normalization have been put on ice, and much of the Middle East and the wider world is blaming Israel and the United States for all of it. There is no reason for the Iranian leadership to jeopardize all that by giving Israel (or the United States) a justification to do massive damage to Iran, which could snatch defeat from the jaws of their victory.

Moreover, the clerical regime faces significant economic challenges, widespread protests , and violence from ethnic Balochis . In addition, Iran’s military is weak, and it would be on the losing end if there were an all-out confrontation with Israeli military forces, let alone if the United States came to Israel’s aid, as it likely would (and as Iran certainly believes it would). A regional war where Iran might be on the losing end is a risky proposition for a regime already in a difficult position.

Still, Iran has crossed a Rubicon, although it may not recognize it. Iran had never struck Israel directly from its own territory before Saturday. Israel has never openly hit Iranian territory either—all of its attacks on Iran have either been military attacks on Iranians in Syria, Lebanon, and elsewhere or covert attacks on Iranian territory, therefore invoking plausible deniability. This was an acknowledged, indeed trumpeted, military strike on Israel from Iran. It opens the door to Israel now doing the same, and Israel can do far more damage to Iran than Iran can to Israel.

Yet Israel’s calculations are also complex. Iran arms, funds, and trains an array of Israel’s regional foes, including Hamas and Hezbollah. Israeli leaders are preparing for a conflict with Hezbollah, and some even see it as inevitable. Iran also backs the Houthis in Yemen, who are attacking international shipping in the name of striking Israel. Not surprisingly, Israeli leaders believe stopping Iranian influence in the region is perhaps the country’s top priority.

Moreover, Israel has always believed that the sanctity of its deterrent was vital to the survival of the state and the safety of its citizens. Time and again, Israel has responded to any attack guided by the most fundamental logic of deterrence theory: When someone hits you, if you want to make sure they will never do it again, you hit them back 10 times harder. Oct. 7 revived Israel’s commitment to this approach, after years when the country felt safe enough to pull some of its punches to solicit greater international support.

Despite the abject failure of the Iranian attack, Israel might still feel the need to hit Iran somewhere to demonstrate that it will never itself be deterred from responding to restore its deterrent.

The failure of the Iranian attack, however, makes such an Israeli response less likely, and Israel and its military already have their hands full. The war with Hamas is ongoing , and Israel has signaled it intends to clear Rafah despite widespread international resistance, including from Washington. As a result of the war, Israel’s international reputation has plummeted , support has fallen in the United States, and its rapprochement with the Gulf Arab states is on pause. Ordinary Israelis understandably want to return to a more normal life, and the Israeli economy has taken a major hit from both the war and the massive mobilization of reservists. Right now, the Israeli army and most of the Israeli government are looking to shed military problems, not proliferate them.

There are military technical considerations as well. A small but important point is Jordan’s stakes in all of this. The Royal Jordanian Air Force gamely supported Israel not just by shooting down Iranian drones and cruise missiles crossing Jordanian territory but also reportedly opening Jordanian airspace to Israeli fighters to do the same. Although any self-respecting country would have done the former, the latter was exceptional. The Israelis probably won’t forget it—they certainly shouldn’t. Israel should be reticent to launch strikes of its own that violate Jordanian airspace—and the same should be its view toward Saudi airspace for fear of further undermining its desired normalization with Riyadh.

That leaves only a Syria-Iraq or a Turkey-Iraq route for Israeli aircraft and missiles to fly to strike Iranian targets, neither of which is ideal. They are longer legs to many key Iranian targets than the flights across Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey is a NATO ally with some formidable air defenses of its own. There are still Russian air and air defense assets in Syria.

Israel has a quintet of German-made submarines capable of firing cruise missiles of their own. These can be deployed in the Indian Ocean, where their missiles would overfly only international water and Iran itself. But they have only the five, with limited numbers of cruise missiles.

None of that precludes an Israeli counterstrike on Iran, now or in the future, but it certainly complicates it. It suggests that Israel may be more likely to just go back to targeting Iranian personnel and military assets in Syria and Lebanon, and probably Iraq and Yemen, to a greater and greater extent in the future. In other words, Israel won’t be deterred by the Iranian strike, but it probably won’t be provoked by it either.

Finally, the U.S. position is simple. The United States wants to avoid a regional war that could drag in U.S. forces, roil international markets, and complicate the position of Washington’s Arab allies. It wants to protect Israel, but it also wants Israel to wrap up its operations in Gaza . The biggest sighs of relief were probably those in the White House Situation Room overnight, in the belief that neither Israel nor Iran is likely to do much more.

Nevertheless, although both Iran and Israel have strong reasons to de-escalate, politics in both countries are messy, and fear and uncertainty are running high. A simple miscalculation, such as the belief that the enemy will inevitably escalate, could be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

What Saturday’s fireworks hopefully also illustrated is the danger of U.S. disengagement from the Middle East. The region is not better without the United States ; it is far more dangerous, unpredictable, explosive, and threatening to America’s own interests. U.S. diplomacy has helped reassure Israel and makes it less likely that Israel will escalate, while U.S. military forces are part of why Tehran hesitated to do more. The latest round of violence shows why it is important for the United States to take the lead on pushing back on Iran and its proxies and bolstering U.S. allies.

Daniel Byman is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. His latest book is Spreading Hate: The Global Rise of White Supremacist Terrorism . Twitter:  @dbyman

Kenneth M. Pollack is a senior fellow of the American Enterprise Institute and a former Middle East military analyst for the CIA. He has written extensively on Arab military history, including the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, most recently in Armies of Sand: The Past, Present, and Future of Arab Military Effectiveness .

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1 hr 11 min

Mauricio Fernando Castro, "Only a Few Blocks to Cuba: Cold War Refugee Policy, the Cuban Diaspora, and the Transformations of Miami" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2024‪)‬ New Books in Latin American Studies

• Society & Culture

In Only a Few Blocks to Cuba: Cold War Refugee Policy, the Cuban Diaspora, and the Transformations of Miami (U Pennsylvania Press, 2024), Mauricio Castro shows how the U.S. government came to view Cuban migration to Miami as a strategic asset during the Cold War, in the process investing heavily in the city's development and shaping its future as a global metropolis. When Cuban refugees fleeing Communist revolution began to arrive in Miami in 1959, the city was faced with a humanitarian crisis it was ill-equipped to handle and sought to have the federal government solve what local politicians clearly viewed as a Cold War geopolitical problem. In response, the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, and their successors, provided an unprecedented level of federal largesse and freedom of transit to these refugees.  The changes to the city this investment wrought were as impactful and permanent as they were unintended. What was meant to be a short-term geopolitical stratagem instead became a new reality in South Florida. A growing and increasingly powerful Cuban community contested their place in Miami and navigated challenges like bilingualism, internal political disputes, socioeconomic polarization, and ongoing struggles and negotiations with Washington and Havana in the decades that followed. This contested process, argues Mauricio Castro, not only transformed South Florida, but American foreign policy and the calculus of national politics. Castro uses extensive archival research in local and national sources to demonstrate that the Cuban diaspora and Cold War refugee policy made South Florida a key space to understanding the shifting landscape of the late twentieth century. In this way, Miami serves as an example of both the lived effects of defense spending in urban spaces and of how local communities can shape national politics and international relations. American politics, foreign relations, immigration policy, and urban development all intersected on the streets of Miami. Mauricio Castro is Assistant Professor of History at Centre College. Katie Coldiron is the Outreach Program Manager for the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC) and PhD student in History at Florida International University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/latin-american-studies

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