What You'll Learn
The International Security Graduate Certificate offers a comprehensive exploration of global conflict, cooperation, and diplomacy. Through interdisciplinary study, you’ll gain the analytical tools and contextual understanding needed to navigate the complex political, economic, and institutional forces shaping the international landscape.
Through the certificate, you’ll:
- Explore the central themes of globalization, global security, foreign policy, and models of conflict.
- Gain perspective on the role nation-states and international organizations play in the modern global system, particularly as it relates to conflict management, human rights, trade, and economic development.
- Build knowledge in focused topic areas, such as international cybersecurity, security strategies in the Middle East, nuclear weapons, political risk assessment, and press relations.
Courses
The International Security Graduate Certificate requires four courses. You may choose any four courses from the International Security certificate course group in the certificate course search.
Searching and Registering for Courses
Available courses vary by term. You can browse options for fall, spring, or summer in the certificate course search within the DCE Course Search & Registration platform.
Our Community at a Glance
You and your diverse peers will build expertise to help advance a career in government, an NGO, an international organization, or a multinational corporation.
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50%
Applied Certificate to ALM Degree
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80%
Working Full Time
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50%
Pursued Certificate to Deepen Expertise or Advance Career
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95%
Would Recommend Certificate
Earning Your Certificate
Most of our certificates can be completed online and no formal application process is required to pursue a certificate.
To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:
- Complete the four certificate courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within three years.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
Stack Your Certificate Into a Degree
Stackable credential pathways allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements. In the short term, you can earn your international security certificate. Once completed, those four courses may count toward either a master’s degree in government or a master’s degree in international relations.
This stackable pathway offers an efficient, cost-effective way to earn short-term credentials to help fill immediate skill gaps and acquire specialized knowledge while building a foundation for long-term success that showcases your expertise in the field.
Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.
Cost
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2025–26 rate) | $3,440 per course |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $13,760 |
