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The Master of Arts in National Security Studies prepares students for mid and senior level positions in national and international security policy, security and intelligence analysis, and related fields. Graduates of the program can be found across the national and international security community as civilian and military policy-makers, action-officers, analysts, instructors, and consultants.
The program is an excellent substitute for military or civilian personnel unable to attend a staff or war college, but who require a strong background in the substantive knowledge and analytic skills required of security specialists. The program is also excellent preparation for those who will eventually attend a staff or war college as it incorporates instruction in advanced security analysis not normally taught in senior military schools. Students must take NSEC500 as the first required course in this program.
NSEC699 - Masters Capstone Seminar in Security
The Masters Capstone Seminar option includes a thesis, or a major research project or paper in lieu of the final comprehensive examination, which has no credit hours. Those who elect this option may reduce their electives by three semester hours to accommodate the seminar option credit. This option is desirable for those students who wish to apply their advanced research skills to a topic of US or international security interest or who would plan to continue their education at a higher level.
In addition to the institutional and degree level outcome objectives, the Master of Arts in National Security Studies seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. Graduates in this degree program will be able to:
- Appraise classic and contemporary theories, strategies, doctrines, and procedures related to the causes, conduct, and termination of armed conflict and the maintenance of peace.
- Assess and predict traditional and non-traditional threats to national and international security.
- Compare the structures, functions, capabilities, and activities of national and international security community members.
- Conduct advanced research and compose professional and academic analyses on issues critical to national and international security.
American Public University is part of American Public University System, an accredited university offering more than 180 degree and certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. All courses are online, so students have the flexibility of taking classes any time or any place that fits their schedule. Our degree programs are designed to be challenging and relevant to working adults in both the public and private sectors and can help enhance their current career or prepare them for a career change.
Concentration Requirements
CMRJ526 Drug Cartels and the Narcotics Threat
DEFM530 Defense Economics
HLSS502 Homeland Security and Defense
HLSS505 Security Risk Management
HLSS522 Weapons of Mass Destruction and the New Terrorism
HLSS523 Domestic Terrorism and Extremist Groups
INTL501 Strategic Intelligence
INTL502 Collection
INTL506 Analytics II
INTL507 Intelligence Operations
INTL613 Intelligence and Homeland Security
INTL640 Intelligence and National Security
INTL646 Transnational Crime and Narcotics
INTL652 Terrorism: Assessing the Past to Forecast the Future
IRLS600 Strategic Geography and Geopolitics
IRLS603 Politics and War
IRLS613 International Negotiation
IRLS631 Government and Security in Korea
IRLS655 Latin American Security Issues
IRLS660 Seminar in Middle East Politics and Security
ISSC630 Advanced Cybercrime Analysis
ISSC631 Cyber Ethics: Privacy and Intellectual Property
LSTD517 Law, Ethics and Cybersecurity
MILS671 The Non-State Soldier
NSEC506 Cyber Policy and Practice in National Security
NSEC608 Regional Security Cooperation
NSEC611 Covert Action and National Security
NSEC612 National Security and Diplomacy
NSEC614 Political Psychology of Terror Groups
NSEC620 Foundations in Military Strategy and National Security Policy
International applicants are required to pay each course in full using a U.S. credit card or money order. The Automatic Debit Plan (ADP) payment option is available when used with a credit card drawn from a U.S. institution.
Suggestions for international students seeking financial assistance to fund their studies at APUS:
Contact their Ministry of Education explore scholarship, grants or loan possibilities
Contact private lenders companies or banks
Seek sponsorship from a personal investor
Accreditation
American Public University is part of the American Public University System (APUS), which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC accredits degree-granting institutions located in a 19-state region, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
ED formally recognizes accrediting commissions that meet all federal standards, and CHEA extends recognition to accrediting bodies and their institutions that meet these established standards. Accreditation should be important to you because it determines a schools eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and may influence acceptance of transfer credits and admission to accredited graduate schools.
In addition to our HLC accreditation, our B.S. in Nursing program, as well as many of our business programs, have obtained specialized accreditation from external accrediting organizations in these specific disciplines.
Credits and degrees earned through APUS may be recognized for promotion, assignment, and position qualification standards within the military, federal government, and private sector. For students transferring to other colleges, APUS credit is considered transfer-eligible based on its accreditation. However, APUS cannot guarantee that its credit will be accepted, as acceptance of credit is always the prerogative of the receiving institution.
Institutional AccreditationThis level of accreditation requires a significant amount of self-study and presentation of evidence to satisfy the demanding requirements of accrediting organizations. Obtaining accreditation with HLC demonstrates our focus on providing academic excellence and the best possible experience for our students.
As an accredited institution, our university is eligible to participate in federal educational entitlement programs such as military tuition assistance, government tuition reimbursement programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill, and many corporate education assistance programs. In addition, APUS has been granted approval by the Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs.
Further information on recognition policies and standards may be found on the following websites:
U.S. Department of Education (ED)
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
(800) USA-LEARN (800-872-5327)
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 955-6126
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
(800) 621-7440
View the APUS 2011 HLC Reaccreditation letter
Specialized AccreditationIn addition to our HLC accreditation, our university has obtained specialized/programmatic accreditation through appropriate governing organizations for the specific academic programs listed below. The curriculum for these programs meets the higher standards required by these external accrediting organizations.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Business School
A.S., B.S., and M.S. in Accounting; A.A. in Business Administration; Bachelor of Business Administration; Master of Business Administration; B.A. in Marketing; A.A., B.A., and M.A. in Management; A.A. and B.A. in Retail Management; A.A. and B.A. in Hospitality Management; B.A. and M.A. in Transportation and Logistics Management; and A.A. in Real Estate Studies.
The B.A. and M.A. in Reverse Logistics Management and the B.A. and M.A. in Entrepreneurship programs within the School of Business are not accredited by ACBSP. They will be eligible for accreditation once they have been standing for a minimum of two years and each has at least one graduate.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
B.S. in Nursing (RN to BSN)
CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing. CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.
Council for Education for Public Health (CEPH)
At this time, our university is not accredited by CEPH, and our prior application for CEPH accreditation lapsed on January 1, 2013. However, the governing body of the CEPH, at its June 2013 meeting, formally approved our request to begin the accreditation process for our Master of Public Health program. The steps and timeline for the CEPH accreditation process are subject to modification, and there is no assurance that we (or any institution seeking accreditation) will achieve this accreditation.
Professional Recognition and AffiliationManagement
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Sports and Health Sciences
American Sport Education Program (ASEP) (B.S.)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) (M.S.)
Information Systems Security
National Security Agency (NSA) - Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE)
Child and Family Development
National Council on Family Relations (NCFR)
School of Education, M.Ed. Teaching, M.Ed. Educational Leadership, M.Ed. School Counseling
WV state approved educator certification programs (WVDE)