Delivering quality research and education across the fields of security
With a faculty drawn from the alphabet agencies and think tanks of nearby Washington, D.C., the Schar School of Policy and Government’s security studies programs take students on an immersive academic experience unlike any other. Our programs prepare students to become leaders who face down the country's and the world’s largest challenges in policy, intelligence, terrorism, biodefense, emergency management, and diplomacy, among others.
The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Scholarship is awarding $250,000 in scholarships to students entering the following Schar School programs in Spring 2021:
In 2019, U.S. News and World Report ranked the Schar School No. 2 in the U.S. for security studies-related programs. Security studies includes the school’s international security and biodefense programs, as well as a concentration in emergency management and homeland security, and an emphasis in national security.
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As experts in their fields, the Schar School’s faculty are renowned for their active role in research, policy analysis, and recommendations on key issues that captivate the Washington, D.C. policy community. Whether related to an imminent issue or an overlooked topic, there is an expert at the Schar School who can address the most current research, regulations, and policies regarding the issue.
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The Schar School of Policy and Government research centers, institutes, and initiatives focus on issues ranging from international security and policy studies to energy science. Each unit is headed by a distinguished Schar School faculty member, who harnesses the resources of the School as well as those of external sponsors to conduct a wide range of projects.
“I chose to continue my education at the Schar School, because the program offered biodefense, security studies, and global health security. The classes cover accidental biothreats, natural events, and intentional acts of bioterrorism.”
—Annette Prieto, Master’s in Biodefense '19
"Ultimately, I wanted to get my Master's in International Security, focusing on conflict resolution, threat analysis, and intelligence. The thing that sets the school apart are the professors. They are at the forefront of their fields."
—Becca Cooper, Master's in International Security student
“The [Master's in International Security] program has forced me to put things together in new ways. By combining practical application with theory, students are able to obtain the knowledge needed to work in the security field.”
—Rebecca Ames, Master's in International Security student
Now an assistant professor at the Schar School after earning her PhD in Biodefense, Saskia Popsecu has been a go-to expert for media outlets since the pandemic outbreak began.Her research addresses the roadblocks for hospitals investing in infection prevention efforts in the face of diseases like Ebola and SARS.
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Master's in International Security student Marisol Maddox spent three weeks this summer aboard a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker traveling inside the Arctic Circle. What she saw, and didn’t see, were indicative of concerning trends regarding global warming, which acts as a threat multiplier by impacting multiple sectors of society.
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Debra LaPrevotte has worked tirelessly to end wildlife trafficking in Africa. The Schar School's Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) welcomed the former FBI special agent and current international corruption investigator at the Sentry Group for a discussion on how to stop trafficking networks.
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Our master's programs and graduate certificates offer part-time and full-time study. Browse our application guide to learn more about specific application requirements and deadlines.
HOW TO APPLY
