phd 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.

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• Graduate Degree Program > Master’s Degree

JPME Phase I & Master’s Degree

General Information

Eligibility, location & duration, learning format, program structure, elective courses, student selected core curriculum, core curriculum, joint maritime operations, strategy & war, theater security and decision making, new students.

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• Request for Approval of Elective Course Form for GDP
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Incoming Students

Contact information, graduate degree program, more information.

Students accepted into the GDP must complete nine semester credit hours of approved electives and 21 semester hours in core courses to be awarded the NWC M.A. in Defense and Strategic Studies degree.

• Learn more about Eligibility into GDP
• Enrollment Procedure for Eligible Applicants
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Fleet Seminar Program

The Fleet Seminar Program curriculum expands critical and creative thinking and develops problem-solving skills students need for decision-making and leadership in the maritime domain.

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NWC Featured Alum

Brig. Gen. John J. Allen Jr.

Brig. Gen. John Allen is the Air Force director of civil engineers, deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Engineering & Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. He is responsible for providing policy and oversight for the planning, development, construction, maintenance, utilities and environmental quality of 183 Air Force bases worldwide valued at more than $297 billion. This responsibility includes housing, fire emergency services, explosive ordnance disposal and emergency management services. He also influences resourcing for installation support functions with an annual budget of $11 billion and is the focal point for organizing, training and equipping the 51,000-person engineering force. Brig. Gen. Allen's education includes a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science in engineering management from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Capt. Mary Elizabeth Neill

Born in Baltimore, Md., Capt. Mary Elizabeth Neill has been part of the Dental Corps for more than three decades. Captain Neill received her B.S. from University of Maryland Baltimore County, her Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Maryland College of Dental Surgery, her M.S. from University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio and her M.S. National Security and Strategic Studies 2016 from the U. S. Naval War College. Neill has held many positions (deputy chief of staff for Navy Medicine National Capital Area, executive officer at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, commanding officer at Naval Health Clinic Quantico, Navy Medicine East chief of staff, commanding officer of NATO Role III Multinational Medical Unit Kandahar, Afghanistan, and deputy director for Medical Resources, Plans, Policy at the Pentagon) and has deployed in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Rear Adm. Jacquelyn McClelland

A native of Ocean City, New Jersey, Rear Adm. McClelland graduated from Temple University in 1987, was commissioned in 1990, and earned her MA from Boston University in 2006. She was also a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College Command and Staff Program. She had multiple Navy Reserve (NR) supply, contracting and logistics assignments, including several overseas, as well as multiple command tours. McClelland mobilized in 2009 as commanding officer, DLA Support Team – Afghanistan, embedded with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. She deployed again in 2010 as the deputy group commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Forward, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. A qualified Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps officer, McClelland assumed duties as commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group in 2019. In her civilian career, she is a retired special agent with the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation who was assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Washington, District of Columbia.

Adm. Samuel Paparo

From a maritime family, Samuel Paparo graduated from Villanova University and was commissioned in 1987. He earned an MA from Old Dominion University and an MS from the Naval Postgraduate School. A graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, the Air War College, the Naval War College, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, and the TOPGUN program, he has flown over 6,000 hours and has over 1,000 carrier landings. His multiple operational command tours include, at sea: Carrier Air Wing 7, and Carrier Strike Group Ten, and, on the ground: Provincial Reconstruction Team with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Paparo has additional joint operational service, shore assignments and Executive staff tours, including the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, director of Operations, J3, U.S. Central Command, and Battle Director at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Al Udeid, Qatar. Before assuming command of U.S. Pacific Fleet, his most recent assignment was U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces.

Admiral Charles A. Richard

Decatur, Alabama native Admiral Charles Richard graduated from the University of Alabama and earned master's degrees from the Catholic University of America and the U.S. Naval War College. His operational assignments include multiple submarine commands. Staff assignments include executive assistant and naval aide to the Under Secretary of the Navy; chief of staff, Submarine Force Atlantic; director of resources on the staff of the Under Secretary of Defense; squadron engineer on the staff of SUBRON-8 and duty on the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations staff. He has served as a member of Chief of Naval Operations' Strategic Studies Group XXVIII, as well as being Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Director of Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97), Deputy Commander of Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike, and command of Submarine Group 10. His most recent assignment was Commander, Submarine Forces in Norfolk, Virginia. As Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, he is responsible for one of 11 Unified Commands under the Department of Defense.

2026 Defense and Strategic Studies Major Curriculum

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Defense and strategic studies

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Master of arts

Defense strategies influence national intelligence and homeland security operations — and further shape the United States’ relationships with countries across the globe. Prepare to take on an indispensable role in U.S. intelligence and security with an online master of arts in defense and strategic studies from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

Mizzou’s online master’s in defense and strategic studies caters to a diverse student body with similar aspirations. An exploration of international policy and strategy prepares current military personnel for leadership. For veterans thinking about the next step, the focus on security and intelligence builds a bridge between their field knowledge and a civilian career.

For civilians, courses in political and military strategy, diplomacy and deterrence pave the way toward in-demand roles in government agencies and think tanks related to national security, policy or intelligence.

About the online master’s in defense and strategic studies

Whether as a civilian, current military member or veteran, you aim to protect our world. Mizzou’s flexible, customizable and fully online program guides you along this mission, immersing you in a multifaceted study of military systems and effectiveness.

Gain the skills to maintain national security in today’s complex, globalized society. The master of arts in defense and strategic studies from Mizzou delivers the knowledge to strengthen international relations, manage conflicts and develop defense strategies. Learn why and how disagreements emerge between and within states. Explore military history and tactics and analyze the use of intelligence, policy and diplomacy in both peacetime and war.

Students enrolled in the online master’s in defense and strategic studies examine:

• Military history, particularly related to the Napoleonic revolution in warfare, World War I, World War II and modern wars in the Middle East and Asia
• The causes of international conflict, including topics such as power, territory, alliances and democratic peace
• Civil war and insurgency, including the onset, dynamics and legacies of violence in intrastate conflict
• The process and history of American foreign policy
• The history and applications of strategic theory, from classical theorists such as Sun Tzu and Clausewitz to modern theorists
• Strategic threats and opportunities around the world, including in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East
• The patterns, causes and effects of military innovation in both peacetime and warfare

Quick facts

Official name, program type, academic home, delivery mode, accreditation, credit hours, estimated cost.

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid .

Career prospects

For current military members, the online master’s in defense and strategic studies equips you to make stronger decisions, informed not just by your grasp of international relations theory but also your understanding of the severity and impact of current conflicts across the globe. This knowledge base allows field-grade military officers to advance into one of the following positions: Battalion Commander; Battalion, Brigade and Division Staff Officer; Squadron Commander; Squadron, Group or Wing Staff Officer; Ship Commander; Division Officer or Joint Staff Officer.

For civilians, the program’s dive into military tactics enriches a foundation in international relations, public policy or political science. Potential job titles include military analyst, intelligence officer, project manager, strategic planner, policy analyst, research associate, targeting analyst or senior analyst.

Program structure

Mizzou’s Truman School of Government and Public Affairs designed the master’s in defense and strategic studies as a 30-credit-hour, fully online program using an accelerated schedule. Courses last eight weeks, allowing students to take two classes, one at a time, during a semester.

Full-time military members typically sign up for three courses per term and finish the program in one year. Part-time civilian students usually enroll in two courses per term to complete the program in two years.

Adding to the efficiency, Mizzou accepts up to 12 hours of transfer credits from current or former U.S. military officers who completed their Intermediate Level Education (ILE) at select military command and staff colleges.

For all candidates, the online master’s in defense and strategic studies starts with three core courses. From here, students select from an array of electives to customize the degree according to their interests and career goals.

Core courses

The program’s core sequence introduces you to:

• Theories and models of international conflict and war
• The dynamics and impact of violence in the context of civil war
• Military theories and history in relation to outcomes, effectiveness and strategy

Review all requirements for the online master’s in defense and strategic studies .

Calendar system

Typical program length, typical course load.

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission , one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Quackenbush is associate professor of political science at the University of Missouri. He received his PhD in 2003 from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. He is the director of the strategic studies program at the University of Missouri, and he served as president of the International Studies Association – Midwest from 2016–2017. His research focuses on international relations, specifically three areas of international security: deterrence, recurrent conflict and strategic studies.

Dr. Reeder is an assistant professor of political science and an affiliate of the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs. He earned his doctorate and master’s from the University of Illinois, and his bachelor’s from Boise State University. His research centers on political violence, conflict management and the consequences of wars for civilian populations.

Dr. Ba’s interests include international political economy, U.S. foreign policy and the American presidency. Within the field of international political economy, her research focuses on systemic causes of financial crises, as well as the politics of global finance, and the role of credit and debt as a dimension of countries' structural and financial power. Her research on U.S. foreign policy examines the linkages between international relations theory and the conduct of U.S. foreign policy, as well as U.S. foreign policy crisis management, and the role of presidential advisory systems in U.S. foreign policy decision making.

Susan Brockhaus is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice in the Defense and Strategic Studies program at the University of Missouri. She earned an MS in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University in Washington D.C. in 2017, and an MA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2001. She has worked as an analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since 2002, with extensive experience in counterterrorism and foreign influence. She was selected to serve as Senior Duty Officer in the White House Situation Room, worked in the 2012 London Olympics Threat Integration Center, and has personally briefed senior US government officials to include the President, Attorney General and FBI Director. She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for the FBI Academy at Quantico. She received Meritorious Citations from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in 2012 and 2015.

LTC (Ret) Rob Boone is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice in the Defense and Strategic Studies program at the University of Missouri. He also serves as Associate Vice President for Columbia College Global Military. He holds a BA in History from Sam Houston State University and an MA in Military History from American Military University, with a focus on Special Operations in Low Intensity Conflict. He is also a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School. His assignments the United States Army included Rifle Platoon Leader, 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii; Service Detachment Commander, 3rd Special Forces Group; Company Commander, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC; Deputy Brigade Commander, 198th Infantry, Ft. Benning, GA. His final assignment was the Professor of Military Science at the University of Missouri. His deployments include Egypt, Tunisia, Haiti, and two tours in Iraq.

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College of Arts and Science

Truman School of Government and Public Affairs

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]  

Defense and Strategic Studies

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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.

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Find solutions to complex problems..

This 36 credit hour graduate program will prepare you for a career in national security and defense. You will learn to think strategically, critically and long term to gain skills that will help you solve complex problems facing our country and the world.  

Choose from one of two track options: general or weapons of mass destruction. 

General track 

If you’re interested in national security and defense as a whole, this track may be for you. Build traits and gain skills that ensure a safe and secure country. Learn the tools of diplomacy and how to analyze strategy, policy and decision-making. This program is customizable, ensuring you will graduate ready to solve defense and intelligence issues and secure the career you want.  

Choose 30 credit hours from the  full selection of electives . Consult with your advisor to choose the best courses for your interests. 

Weapons of mass destruction track 

If you’re interested specifically in national security and defense as related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD), this track may be for you. Specialize in weapons control, missile defense, nuclear deterrence or other topics. Explore policies and programs that deal with WMD usage. Graduate ready to give advice and support on strategic WMD issues.  

Choose 30 credit hours from  courses that focus on weapons of mass destruction . Consult with your advisor to ensure your choices meet this requirement. 

Prepare for a career in the following roles:

• Cyber research associate
• Cybersecurity analyst
• Cyber threat intelligence analyst
• Geospatial intelligence analyst
• Information security analyst
• Intermediate strategy planning analyst
• Junior project manager
• Policy analyst
• Program coordinator
• Research analyst
• Research fellow and program officers
• Wargaming/logistics analyst

Our graduates work for these high-profile employers:

• American Foreign Policy Council
• Boeing Aerospace
• Capitol Hill
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency
• Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
• Intelligence Agencies
• Institute of Science and International Security
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Missile Defense Agency
• National Defense Agency
• National Security Council
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Department of State

Maximize your investment of time and money

Missouri State’s total costs are lower than most other universities in the state and well below the national average. Online students receive in-state tuition rates regardless of residency. Financial aid and scholarships are also available.

Customize your degree for the career you want.

Take two required courses. Choose electives that meet your interests for the remaining 30 credit hours.

Enjoy a high level of academic excellence.

Industry-experienced, full-time faculty develop and teach the same curriculum online as taught in person.

The defense and strategic studies master’s degree is part of the department of defense and strategic studies . Find out more about the admission and program requirements .

Captain Nick Martinez comes from a family where defending and protecting is a tradition.

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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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Graduate programs, phd in politics and international affairs.

The doctoral degree in politics and international affairs is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students to teach at the university and college levels and to conduct high-level research in the academic and nonacademic sectors. It combines a broad focus on international relations, comparative politics, American politics, and political theory with a critical understanding of institutions, rights, citizenship/identity, governance, global policy, and justice. Students work closely with faculty to frame their dissertation research and to advance their knowledge of their chosen fields of specialization. The program’s interdisciplinary approach to a variety of global issues provides a rich and open-ended opportunity to research current and past problems, movements, and transformations in politics.

We welcome your interest in our doctoral program. The department's deadline for fall admission is January 5. The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies only admits for the fall semester. Students must apply online through the Office of Graduate Admissions. For a listing of the admission requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog . 

*Effective starting with the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, GRE test scores are no longer required for applications to our doctoral program in Politics and International Affairs*

*International students should review the Office of Admissions International Students website for additional information and requirements.

*International students are also encouraged to contact the Office of International Services for information on visas, international travel, etc. 

PLEASE NOTE: International students whose native language is not English and who want to be considered for a teaching assistantship must show proficiency in spoken English even if their TOEFL has been waived for admission to a graduate program. More information on the TOEFL requirement can be found under Admission Requirements in the graduate catalog.

Program Requirements

For the Doctoral Degree in Politics and International Affairs degree requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog. Students should adhere to the requirements within the Graduate Catalog under which they were admitted.

• Degree Requirements Beginning 2023-2024 Catalog

*Students can elect another catalog following the one they were admitted under. More information on this policy, and other policies, can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

*Students must request approval from the graduate director for any course not pre-approved and listed under the degree in the Graduate Catalog.

Additional information on program requirements:

Student can also select POS 6933/6747 Advanced Topics in Quantitative Political Analysis or another graduate course approved by the graduate director for the methods requirement. The Capstone Seminar will be conducted with doctorial students in Sociology and History and focus on dissertation proposal. 

Research Fields

The Doctorate in Politics and International Affairs specializes in the following four fields of research:

International Relations In the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, the International Relations (IR) faculty focuses on four areas of study: international relations theory, global political economy, international security, and human rights. We stress the importance of cutting-edge scholarship in our teaching of the graduate seminars as well as bridging the many emergent gaps in theory and practice in the various subfields that comprise International Relations, including American foreign policy, international ethics, global governance, and international law and organizations. One of our central aims is to advance innovative applications of the central theoretical perspectives (and their variant strands) in International Relations, namely, realism, liberalism, critical theory, constructivism, Marxism, international political theory, and gender. These applications involve in-depth theoretical and empirical analysis of key global issues, such as Asian security, moral accountability, the enforcement of human rights, immigration, and political and economic inequality. The International Relations faculty have published numerous books and peer-reviewed articles on these issue areas. These include monographs on the political tensions on the Korean Peninsula or North Korea’s nuclear arms buildup, the political cosmopolitan character and shifting dynamics of the International Criminal Court (ICC), hegemony and inequality in the global political economy, and China’s rapidly increasing support of intervention in African states. Together our published research emphasizes the production of critical theoretic knowledge, or the advanced methodological analysis of the contradictions and tensions informing the substantive debates in International Relations. This not only requires the particular mastery of concepts, methods, and claims but also an open-ended and historical understanding of the changing social forces shaping the behavior of states and the relations among global and local actors. It is this scholarly approach that we adopt to train our graduate students specializing in international relations, particularly as they advance their dissertation research and empirical knowledge of the global and regional contexts of problems and issues. One of the outcomes we strive for, then, is to encourage our doctoral students to develop rigorous theoretical and contextual analysis from which they can devise solutions and prescriptions to global issues.

Comparative Politics Comparative Politics in the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies is committed to theory-driven, empirical research from an interdisciplinary perspective that is situated in a political, historical, cultural, and economic context.  The Comparative Politics faculty employ a variety of methodological approaches from both the social sciences and humanities, which utilize qualitative and quantitative research methods to study the patterns of similarities and differences. In particular, we conduct comparative and case study research to inquire into these patterns and to develop our theoretical propositions. One of our aims is to produce knowledge about the changing social, political, and legal conditions affecting the lives, development, cultural practices, and customs of underrepresented peoples. In meeting this aim, our research focuses on several themes of comparative politics, including social movements, democracy/democratization, citizenship, decolonization, genocide, hegemony, race and identity, development, legal systems and customary law, social justice, and indigenismo or the political ideology focusing on the changing relations of state and local peoples. Much of our published research draws creatively on social, critical, and political theory to advance knowledge of the laws, changing social relations, and attitudes in several countries, which includes Brazil, Ecuador, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Iran. Our research strengths lie in the areas of race and citizenship, social movements theory, human security and law (or legal custom) in Eastern Africa, indigenous rights in various Latin American countries, and security relations in the Middle East. With these thematic foci, we encourage graduate students to create and develop their own research by selecting a region of the world as their emphasis and adopting theoretically informed research and comparative methods that allow them to analyze the changing social and political conditions in the countries of this region.

American Politics The study of American Politics in the doctorate program in politics and international affairs provides a comprehensive overview as well as an in-depth analysis of American politics. Our faculty focus on various aspects of American politics, including theoretical foundations, federalism, institutions (Congress, the executive branch, the bureaucracy, the judiciary), political behavior (political parties, the media, interest groups, social movements, and elections), and public policy (foreign and domestic), and employ a range of methodological approaches such as historical development, legal doctrine, institutional rules, and quantitative analyses of the behavior of political actors and the mass public, to advance the student's research skills.  Our core class, Seminar in American Politics, for instance, surveys the key foundations, institutions, and behavior in American politics, introducing students to both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches for analyzing and testing the changing trends and outcomes in American politics. Special topics courses provide opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge on new research on a range of themes, including political development, the social bases of politics, and the global impact of American politics. The faculty in American politics have made important contributions in the areas of race and ethnicity, the judiciary, the presidency, Florida government, civil liberties, health care, environmental justice, economic inequality, and animal rights. Our strengths lie in economic inequality, animal rights, the Presidency, Judicial Behavior, Race and Ethnicity, and State and Local Government. In these specific areas, we have published several cutting-edge books and articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, which examine the emergence and implementation of nonhuman animals' regime of rights, the changing directions of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and its impact on world politics, and alternative strategies for natural disasters in the United States. Our scholarship is thus distinctive for the ways in which it addresses American government and politics in a global context. This is how we seek to train our doctoral students on the rapidly changing, nuanced linkages between local, state, federal and global institutional politics.  

Political Theory Political Theory introduces students to the core normative issues in the study of political science. These normative issues provide the bedrock assumptions on which much of the study of political science depends. For example, while nearly everyone agrees that democracy is the best form of government, why do we place such faith in it? In addition, the long tradition of political thought offers multiple versions of democracy, each with its own strengths and limitations. How are we to identify the best version for our needs? Similarly, while we might extol non-violence in politics, is it always the best path for political movements? How are we to justify its alternatives? Clarifying our moral commitments, sharpening our conceptual tools, and outlining pathways for transforming theoretical knowledge into action requires philosophical, historical, and conceptual capabilities. The political theory faculty at the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies trains students to develop these capabilities. To that end, political theory classes not only familiarize students with many of the canonical texts that were read by generations of prominent political thinkers (from Aristotle to Martin Luther King Jr), they also teach students to read these texts critically and with an eye towards contemporary political developments. As such, training in political theory is a critical supplement to graduate work at School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies. The faculty’s expertise in feminist theory, postcolonial theory, the role of emotions in politics, environmental political thought, and Indian political thought complements the terminal degrees offered in American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations.

Financial Assistance 

Most of our successful applicants qualify for funding offered by the department or the Office of Graduate Studies. Funded doctoral students will receive a graduate assistantship that includes:

• a stipend for the academic year (9 months)
• a tuition waiver (not including school fees)
• the option of health insurance mostly paid by the department (the student only pays a small amount towards insurance).

All applicants for the doctoral degree are considered for a graduate assistantship - they do not need to complete a separate form.

The graduate assistantship is guaranteed for four years but is based on maintaining satisfactory annual academic progress. It requires each student to work 20 hours per week, in which case the student would be first assisting professors of the department with their teaching and class preparations and later, after having passed the doctoral comprehensive exams and completed teacher training seminars, teach a class at the University of South Florida. 

Please visit the graduate assistantships page for further information. The department also provides funding for conference travel or the presentation of research at conferences upon approval.

Information on eligibility for graduate assistantships can be found on the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center website. 

We also strive to fund our students in the fifth year, though this funding is not guaranteed. Depending on additional funds that become available, students may have the opportunity to extend their graduate assistantship to one, possibly two academic semesters. Students in the fifth year are also encouraged to seek external funding. For more information on this, please consult our Graduate Resources Page .

Outstanding candidates may also be nominated by the school’s director and/or graduate committee for prestigious and highly competitive university fellowships, including the Presidential Doctoral Fellowship , the Dorothy Auzenne Fellowship , and the University Graduate Fellowship. There is also the opportunity for minority students to be awarded a McKnight Fellowship, which provides annual tuition up to $5,000 for each of three academic years, plus an annual stipend of $12,000. The program also offers travel grants and other forms of financial support. For additional information on this fellowship opportunity, please visit the McKnight Fellowship's informational page.

• Politics and International Affairs Doctoral Handbook 2022 - 2023
• School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies Graduate Resources
• Independent Study / Directed Research Contract
• Office of Graduate Studies Forms
• Dissertation Proposal Approval Form
• Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Form
• Graduate Student Supervisory Committee Appointment Form
• Dissertation Checklist
• Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Certificate of Approval Form
• Comprehensive Exam Reading Lists
• Research Conference Travel Award Request
• Dissertation Defense Announcment

Spring 2024 Course Offerings

Recent Placements

For further information or questions about the PhD in Politics and International Affairs, please fill out this form . 

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