This minor can be declared through the Department of: International Studies and Political Science
Cadets can embark on a twenty-one credit-hour curriculum leading to a National Security Minor (NSM) upon graduation from the Institute.
The NSM is valuable for academically ambitious cadets who intend to pursue:
- Graduate study in the fields of international security, foreign policy, or strategic studies.
- National security careers in the military or civilian sectors such as intelligence analysis, diplomacy, national and international law, and policy analysis.
The NSM allows cadets to concentrate on a particular aspect of national security and strategic studies. Concentrations may include energy, economic health of the U.S., education, state of the environment, as well as more traditional aspects of defense policy, diplomacy, international relations, and foreign area studies.
The NSM is limited to ten cadets per class. Applicants must be in their third-class year and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. Selection is based on an applicant’s grades, defined interests, writing sample, and recommendations from faculty members.
NSM participants have access to special trips which in the past have included: the National Security Council, the Department of Defense and other “3-letter” national security agencies, and influential think tanks in Washington, D.C. Cadets are expected to take part in at least one national or international competition involving prestigious institutions in national security studies.
The NSM is open to cadets from all departments.