1. No category

Program Approval Form
For approval of new programs and deletions
or modifications to an existing program.
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Submitted by:
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Thys van Schaik and Jamie Cooper
Effective Term:
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program must be fully approved, entered into Banner, and published in the University Catalog.
Justification: (attach separate document if necessary)
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Master of Arts in International Security
Program Title: (Required)
Title must identify subject matter. Do not
include name of college/school/dept.
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Admissions Standards /
Application Requirements:
See attached
(Required only if different from those
listed in the University Catalog)
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Degree Requirements:
Consult University Catalog for models,
attach separate document if necessary
using track changes for modifications
Courses offered via distance:
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39
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If this program may impact another unit or is in collaboration with another unit at Mason, the originating department must circulate this
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For Registrar Office’s Use Only: Received_____________Banner_________________________Catalog_________________________
revised 6/7/12
STATE COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR VIRGINIA
Program Proposal Cover Sheet
1.
Institution
George Mason University
2. Program action (Check one):
New program proposal __x___
Spin-off proposal
_____
Certificate proposal
_____
3. Title of proposed program
Master of Arts in International Security
5.
Degree designation
Master of Arts in International Security,
or “I-SEC”
4. CIP code
6. Term and year of initiation
Fall 2014
7a. For a proposed spin-off, title and degree designation of existing degree program
No spin-off
7b. CIP code (existing program)
8. Term and year of first graduates
Spring 2016
9. Date approved by Board of Visitors
10. For community colleges:
date approved by local board
date approved by State Board for Community Colleges
11. If collaborative or joint program, identify collaborating institution(s) and attach letter(s) of
intent/support from corresponding chief academic officers(s)
12. Location of program within institution (complete for every level, as appropriate).
Departments(s) or division of _____Public and International Affairs, College of Humanities
and Social Sciences______________________________________________
School(s) or college(s) of ______School of Public Policy
_________________________________________
Campus(es) or off-campus site(s)_______Fairfax and Arlington
campuses________________________________________
Distance Delivery (web-based, satellite, etc.) The program will be delivered mainly through
classroom instruction, with some on-line instruction as well.
13. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of person(s) other than the institution’s
chief academic officer who may be contacted by or may be expected to contact Council staff
regarding this program proposal.
Trevor Thrall, Associate Professor of Government and Politics
Department of Public and International Affairs
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
[email protected], 703-993-3724
Audrey Kurth Cronin, Distinguished Service Professor
School of Public Policy
[email protected], 703-993-4161
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAM ............................................................................................... 1
PROGRAM OVERVIEW (BACKGROUND) .....................................................................................................................1
MISSION ....................................................................................................................................................................2
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA ..............................................................................................................................................3
TARGET POPULATION ................................................................................................................................................3
CURRICULUM ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
STUDENT RETENTION AND CONTINUATION PLAN .....................................................................................................5
FACULTY ...................................................................................................................................................................6
STUDENT ASSESSMENT..............................................................................................................................................6
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................................7
EXISTING PROGRAMS ................................................................................................................................................8
COLLABORATION OR STANDALONE ...........................................................................................................................8
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROPOSED PROGRAM .........................................................................................8
RESPONSE TO CURRENT NEEDS .................................................................................................................................8
EMPLOYMENT DEMAND .......................................................................................................................................... 12
STUDENT DEMAND .................................................................................................................................................. 13
DUPLICATION .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
APPENDICES............................................................................................................................................................ 20
APPENDIX A –SAMPLE PLAN OF STUDY .............................................................................................................. A-20
APPENDIX B – COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................................................................ B-20
APPENDIX C – “ABBREVIATED CV’S” FOR FACULTY ............................................................................................ C-1
APPENDIX D –EMPLOYMENT DEMAND .................................................................................................................. D-1
APPENDIX E – STUDENT DEMAND ......................................................................................................................... E-2
i
Description of the Proposed Program
Program Overview (Background)
The School of Public Policy and the Department of Public and International Affairs in the
College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University propose a joint M.A. in
International Security. If approved the program will launch in the Fall of 2014.
The program will train early to mid-career professionals, both U.S. and international, who seek
the analytical and substantive capabilities to address both traditional security threats as well as
the emerging security challenges of the 21st century. The program’s core courses will provide a
firm grounding with regard to public-private and international collaborative responses to
emerging and unconventional threats, ranging from transnational crime, terrorism, illicit trade,
proliferation of emerging technologies and WMD, and corruption, to state fragility, civil war and
ethnic and sectarian conflict. Students will supplement their core courses by taking elective
courses from each of three broad fields: Managing Global Risks, Security Policies and Processes,
and Regional and Transnational Challenges.
The proposal for an M.A. in International Security stems from 1) recognition of the need to
confront new and emerging security threats facing the global community; 2) George Mason’s
unique location in Virginia; 3) the research and teaching strengths of the faculty at Mason; and 4)
the high, unmet demand for security-related graduate curricula in Northern Virginia.
First, as recent events in Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, and at home have revealed,
the world faces a wide range of new challenges to international security, all of which require new
frameworks for analysis and policy making. These new challenges include cyber warfare,
transnational crime and corruption, the increased use of drones and robotic technologies,
intensifying conflict over oil, water, and other natural resources. This program will be devoted to
developing innovative new approaches to tomorrow’s security challenges.
Second, George Mason is uniquely positioned among Virginia universities to provide a broad
program in international security, located as it is in the heart of the defense, international policy,
and intelligence communities in Northern Virginia. The Central Intelligence Agency, Office of
the Director of National Intelligence, and National Counter Terrorism Center are located in
McLean; the Pentagon, Defense Intelligence Agency, Transportation Security Administration,
and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency are in Arlington; the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency is at Ft. Belvoir along with the Defense Logistics Agency and the U.S. Army
Intelligence and Security Command; the National Reconnaissance Office is in Chantilly; and the
FBI Academy and Marine Base are located in Quantico. Defense contractors headquartered in
Northern Virginia include Northrop Grumman, SAIC, General Dynamics, CACI International,
and DynCorp International, among many others. Mason is also very close to downtown
Washington, D.C. and the defense and security related agencies located there, including the FBI,
1
Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, US Agency for
International Development, and many others. There is also great potential to attract international
students to this program—some who are already working or studying here at the undergraduate
level, and others who will be drawn by the prospect of a curriculum designed to address cuttingedge global challenges.
Not only do people move to the area for school and to find employment nearby, but the many
thousands who already work in the defense, international policy, and intelligence communities
also need additional education, especially at the Masters and doctoral levels, to be competitive in
their careers. At present, no university in Virginia offers a graduate program in international
security. There is one other Virginia university that has recently established a research Center for
Technology, Security and Policy in Arlington, offering a narrower range of courses at the
intersection of technology and public policy. It does not have the range of faculty and courses
to offer the kind of multi-disciplinary, in-depth global international security program envisioned
here. In Northern Virginia, the state is losing most potential students to universities in Maryland
and Washington, D.C.
Finally, George Mason has a large number of faculty members in the School of Public Policy
and the Department of Public and International Affairs with complementary research and
teaching interests in the field of international security, broadly defined. As a result there is a
great deal of excitement about joining forces. By organizing our international security-related
courses within a single program, the M.A. in International Security will help students to take
advantage of the two units’ deep expertise, empowering George Mason University to establish a
leadership position in the field within the Metropolitan D.C. area.
Mission
The mission of the program is to train early to mid-career professionals to assess and manage the
security challenges facing the world in the 21st century. The program supports the mission of
both the School of Public Policy and the Department of Public and International Affairs to
provide public policy education on issues of relevance to the community, the state, the nation,
and the world.
More broadly, the program also strongly supports key elements of the new George Mason
University strategic plan, being aimed at increasing enrollment of students who will be prepared
for successful and meaningful careers; being a catalyst for economic growth and innovation by
expanding professional and executive education; delivering an educational experience that is
global and technology rich; engaging in research of consequence that will raise the profile of the
university overall; and developing a multidisciplinary program in which Mason’s competitive
assets will make a difference. With its global approach to broad questions of human security,
including not only traditional state-centric approaches but also problems such as global economic
risk, climate change, the role of information technologies, the scarcity of resources, and many
others, this program will be a perfect prototype for advancing the university’s strategic goal of
creating a multidisciplinary platform for global problem solving in the years to come.
2
Accreditation (if applicable)
Not applicable
Advisory Board (if applicable)
No external advisory board is currently envisioned. There will be a joint program committee
consisting of faculty from both SPP and PIA who will review the program annually.
Admissions Criteria
Students must meet the admission standards and application requirements of the university as
specified in the Admission chapter of the catalog. Because of the breadth of the program,
students with backgrounds such as international affairs, political science, law, public policy, and
the hard sciences are all encouraged to apply. In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements
for graduate study, applicants must submit:
1. Graduate application and application fee.
2. A 750-1,000 word written statement of the student’s goals for and interest in the
program.
3. A current resume.
4. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within five years prior
to the date of application
5. Two copies of official transcripts of all university work completed. Students
presenting international credentials must provide official transcripts, degree certificates
or diplomas, and certified translations of the documents into English (if applicable).
6. Two letters of recommendation, with at least one letter of recommendation from an
individual qualified to attest to the student’s academic potential.
7. TOEFL scores (required for international applicants), or IELTS exam results.
 Minimum required TOEFL scores: 575 – paper-based; 230 – computer
based; 88 – Internet-based (with a 20 in each of the four subsections).
 Minimum required IELTS result: 6.5.
8. Form for Applicants Seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa (required only if the student is seeking
immigration documents from George Mason University).
Target Population
This program has four target populations.
First, we will seek to attract students coming out of college who would like to prepare
themselves for a career in the defense, international policy, and intelligence sector. At this point
3
the job market in this field is quite competitive, especially in the Washington area. According to
the latest US Census data, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has the highest concentration
of residents with graduate or professional degrees in the country (22.9%), meaning it is ahead by
a wide margin. The next two competitors are the San Jose, CA region (19.9%) and the Boston,
MA region (19%).1 A master’s degree is now often required for entry-level positions here.
Completing this joint Master’s degree will enable younger professionals to compete for good
jobs in the Washington region.
Second, we will reach out to the large number of veterans (and their dependents) who are making
career changes at the end of their military service. The post-9/11 GI bill provides generous
tuition support for those who have served in recent years. This program will naturally be of
interest to veterans who wish to add educational credentials to their significance practical or
operational experience in defense. According to the terms of the bill, attending a state university
qualifies many veterans (or their dependents) to have tuition costs fully covered (unlike private
universities). For the high number of military families living and retiring in Northern Virginia,
attending George Mason University will be the natural choice.
Third, we will target early to mid-career professionals who are already working in the defense,
international policy and intelligence communities, writ large. As noted above, these professionals
usually require a master’s degree to advance in their careers if they do not have one already.
This population segment also includes international professionals who come to Washington,
D.C. to work for their own governments. Many are given tuition support by their organizations in
order to pursuing graduate education, making the evening schedule provided at Mason attractive
for full-time working professionals.
Finally, we will recruit professionals at all phases in their careers who seek to make a change in
to the international security field from another field or endeavor. Although these professionals
often already have some type of graduate education, a degree in international security will make
the transition more successful by increasing their hire-ability in a strong economic sector.
Curriculum
The M.A. in International Security comprises 39 credits distributed among core courses (21
credits) and electives (18 credits).
Core Courses
Course #
GOVT 540
PUBP XXX
GOVT 745
Course Name
International Relations
Theory and Practice of Public Policy for
International Security
International Security
Cr. Hours
3
3
3
1
Mike Maciag, “Which Metro Areas Have the Most Graduate Degrees?” Governing, 13 February 2013 at
http://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/graduate-professional-degrees-for-metro-areas.html.
4
PUBP XXX
GOVT 744
PUBP 771
GOVT 511 or
PUBP 704
Ethics and the Use of Force
Foundations of Security Studies
Grand Strategy
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
Statistical Methods in Policy Analysis
3
3
3
3
Electives: At least one course (3 credits) from each area for a total of six courses (Total 18
credits):
Below is a representative example of electives that a student might choose:
(See Appendix B for an expanded list of possible elective courses)
Area I: Managing Global Risks (at least 3 credits)
Course #
Course Name
PUBP 710
The Geopolitics of Energy Security
BIOD 620
Health and Security
PUBP 736
International Migration and Public Policy
GOVT 734
Democratization
Cr. Hours
3
3
3
3
Area II: National Security Policy and Processes (at least 3 credits)
Course #
Course Name
Cr. Hours
PUBP 743
National Security Management and Policy
3
BIOD 709
Arms Control and Proliferation
3
Foreign
Intelligence
in
a
Free
Society
PUBP XXX
3
PUAD 630
Managing Homeland Security
3
Area III: Regional and Transnational Security Challenges (at least 3 credits)
Course #
Course Name
Cr. Hours
PUBP 710
Corruption and Public Policy
3
BIOD 722
Examining Terrorist Groups
3
PUBP 710
Transnational Crime
3
GOVT 710
Civil War
3
Student Retention and Continuation Plan
Students are assigned to one of two student services professionals who are administrative faculty
with master’s degrees and higher education professional experience. Advisors counsel students
on all academic issues and are fully versed on academic requirements, regulations, and policies.
The SPP Assistant Dean of Student Affairs provides an additional level of advising and conducts
review of policy exceptions. Advisors and the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs work closely
with instructional faculty to address student concerns and students of concern.
5
SPP Student Services manages retention initiatives and supportive academic services, for
example:

Online writing and quantitative tutorials (SPP101)

Specialized international student support (mandated on-campus English Language
Assessment, International Student Liaison Program (ISLP), and expanded orientation
program dedicated to international students

Professional development resources – SPP Career Fair, skills building workshops
Academic Advisors and Career Services are co-located and co-managed in recognition of the
nexus between professional master’s programs and career development. Both teams work
collaboratively in advising and in the delivery of professional development workshops.
Students are encouraged to build relationships with faculty for mentorship and additional
professional guidance. Events managed by student services are held to encourage this
relationship building.
The three- year graduation rate of SPP master’s students has steadily risen since the cohort
entering in 2004 (SPP rate for 2012 was 75.4 compared to the university’s rate of 71.1).
Faculty
The proposed program will feature faculty that is diverse, innovative, excellent in teaching, and
active in pure and applied research. All courses in International Security are taught by George
Mason University faculty from the School of Public Policy and Department of Public and
International Affairs. Instruction will come from a mix of tenured, instructional, and adjunct
faculty actively engaged in teaching and research.
Appendix C provides abbreviated curriculum vitae for faculty who will be teaching courses in
this program.
Student Assessment
Student Knowledge Outcomes
Graduates of the proposed program will know how to:
 Employ the major conceptual and analytical tools of the international security field
 Engage the principle theories of and debates within the field of international security
 Analyze the major traditional and emerging security threats and opportunities facing the
United States and its allies
 Understand the theoretical and historical foundations of global security threats and
opportunities
6

Think across disciplines so as to address challenges that require multiple perspectives and
skills
5.2 Student Skills outcomes
Graduates of the proposed program will be able to:
 Demonstrate understanding of how to assess security threats and develop rigorous,
forward-looking strategies to confront them.
 Apply theories of international relations and international security to build and defend
arguments about the causes and effects of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
terrorism, global health crises, etc. as well as national and international policies to defend
against such threats
 Apply qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing threats and policies appropriate
to the master’s level
 Demonstrate key professional skills such as how to give effective oral presentations and
write concise policy memoranda
Program Assessment
The proposed program will be reviewed on the seven-year cycle typical of programs within the
College of Humanities and Social Science and the School of Public Policy. Program review
takes place under the guidance of the Office of Institutional Assessment and requires three
semesters to complete. The outcomes of the process are a series of deliverables – a selfassessment report and academic plan written by program faculty and a report by a review team
external to the program – and changes made to enhance the program. Finally, the Board of
Visitors will conduct its initial review of the program in Fall 2018, four years after the program’s
first offering. In addition, as stated above, students will be evaluated annually to ensure proper
progress through the program. Faculty are reviewed every semester through student evaluation of
courses. These evaluations will be used to ensure progress towards the major objectives of the
program.
Benchmarks of Success
Specific benchmarks for success will be based upon the program’s ability to attract high-quality
applicants, meet its student enrollment projections, ensure timely graduation of qualified
students, and place graduates in jobs in their fields of choice.
The proposed program has established the following benchmarks of success:
1. The program will attract the number of students outlined in the enrollment forecast
2. The average time to completion for the I-SEC will be less than three years.
3. 75% of graduates of the program will report satisfaction with the program upon
completion
7
4. 75% of graduated students will have earned jobs within their desired field, assessed two
years after completion of the program
The first two benchmarks are easily tracked within the proposed program. These benchmarks
are one component of the reviews that occur routinely at George Mason University (please see
Assessment of Learning section above). The fourth benchmark will be a component of the exit
interview and survey conducted with each student. The last of the benchmarks will require
follow up with our program graduates, which is a component of our assessment of learning, as
well. Graduated students will be tracked for at least two years post-graduation to assess the job
placement situation of our graduates.
If these benchmarks of success are not met, the Department of Public and International Affairs
and School of Public Policy governing committee will examine which benchmarks were
unsuccessful and determine the reason(s) for the miss. If curriculum changes are needed, the two
units will review and revise the curriculum and program processes to better meet the
benchmarks.
Spin-Off
This is not a spin-off program.
Expansion of Existing Programs
This program is not an expansion of an existing program.
Collaboration or Standalone
This is a standalone program. No other organization was involved in its development, and no
other organization will collaborate in its operation.
Justification for the Proposed Program
Response to Current Needs
(Specific Demand)
The National and International Need
At the broadest level, the PIA-SPP International Security joint Master’s degree is a response to
the changing nature of the opportunities and threats facing the United States and the world, many
of which are due to the rise of new global powers, the diversity of super-empowered individuals
and groups, and the astonishing speed of developments in science and technology. In just the
past decade, the list of threats to emerge is long: the anthrax attacks after 9/11, the Stuxnet worm
8
attack on Iran’s nuclear program and the rapid rise of cybersecurity concerns,2 destabilization
and conflict arising from HIV/AIDS,3 the increasing reliance on drones and robotic technologies
in the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan,4 intensifying conflict over oil, water, and other natural
resources,5 potential Iranian and North Korean nuclear proliferation,6 and cyber-mobilization that
by-passes the state.7 At the same time, the changing economic, institutional, and technological
environment at the international level presents new tools and opportunities for improving human
security and cooperation. The rise of the social media and Internet-fueled collaboration, for
example, both among citizens and between private and public sectors, offer new capabilities for
policy makers.
Given the rapidly changing nature of the global system, the need for graduate education in
international security is higher than ever since the end of the Cold War. Recognizing this,
President Bush issued Executive Order 13434 (“National Security Professional Development”)
in May 2007 with the goal of promoting the development of security professionals to meet
“current, emerging, and future threats.”8
At the same time, none of these issues can be understood except in reference to new scientific
and technological capabilities. Many traditional tools for analyzing security threats and making
national security policy are losing value. The United States, indeed the entire world, needs a new
generation of scholars and professionals trained to explore and understand these new challenges.
With respect to proliferation, for example, a United Nations report concluded,
“There has never been a greater need for education in the areas disarmament and
non-proliferation, especially with regard to weapons of mass destruction… Since
the end of the cold war, changing concepts of security and threat have demanded
new thinking. Such new thinking will arise from those who are educated and
trained today.”9
2
David E. Hoffman, “The New Virology: From Stuxnet to Biobombs: the Future of War by Other Means,” Foreign
Policy, February 2011.
3
In 2000 the United States National Security Council designated HIV/AIDS a national security threat, the first
disease to have been so classified. See Greg Koblentz, “Biosecurity Reconsidered,” International Security, Spring
2010.
4
Audrey Kurth Cronin, “Why Drones Fail: When Tactics Drive Strategy,” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 92, No. 4
(July/August 2013), pp. 44-54.
5
Thomas Homer-Dixon, Environment, Scarcity, and Violence (Princeton: Princeton University Press 1999); Thomas
Homer-Dixon, “Climate Change As a Threat to Global Security: Plausible Connections,” paper presented at the
2009 International Studies Association annual meeting, New York, New York.
6
Michael E. Brown, Owen R. Cote, Sean M. Lynn-Jones, Steven E. Miller, eds., Going Nuclear: Nuclear
Proliferation and International Security in the 21 st Century (Cambridge: MIT Press 2010).
7
Audrey Kurth Cronin, “How Global Communications Are Changing the Character of War,” The Whitehead
Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations, vol. 14, No. 1 (Winter/Spring 2013), pp. 25-40; and Cronin,
“Cybermobilization: The New Levee en Masse,” Parameters, Vol. 36, No. 2 (Summer 2006), pp. 77-87.,
8
Peter J. Roman, “Security Professionals for the 21 st Century,” Henry L. Stimson Center, July 19, 2007. Also
George W. Bush, Executive Order 13434, “National Security Professional Development,” May 17, 2007. For a
review of U.S. Government education initiatives related to national security see Sean Kay, “From Sputnik to
Minerva: Education and American National Security,” Defense Horizons January 2009.
9
Report of the Secretary General, United Nations Study on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education, August
2002.
9
In a recent special issue of Strategic Studies Quarterly dedicated to cyber security, General
Michael C. Hayden, former NSA and CIA director (currently on the faculty of the School of
Public Policy) wrote that,
“US Cyber Command has been in existence for more than a year, and no one
familiar with the command or its mission believes our current policy, law, or
doctrine is adequate to our needs or our capabilities…. few of us (myself
included) have created the broad structural framework within which to
comfortably and confidently place these varied phenomena.”10
In short, the field of international security has always been organized around a core set of
concepts and themes, but it has always evolved to engage the changing nature of security threats.
The I-SEC program is thus designed to build on the longstanding themes of international security
and international relations while providing students the opportunity to grapple effectively with a
new generation of economic, political, environmental, and science and technology-driven issues.
The I-SEC program will thus expand beyond currently-existing programs in both the School of
Public Policy and the Department of Public and International Affairs to offer coursework across
the full spectrum of traditional and emerging threats including cyber security, global health and
security, environmental and resource conflict, as well as nuclear proliferation, arms control, and
terrorism.
The Need in Virginia
At a local level, the I-SEC program is a response to the needs of the tens of thousands of people
who live in Northern Virginia and work in the defense, international policy and intelligence
communities. The challenges noted above are fairly abstract national security concerns to the
nation at large, but to Northern Virginia they are concrete challenges with respect to career
development and organizational performance. Without access to graduate education in these
areas individuals seeking employment and promotion will face greater difficulty. In turn, without
a workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage emerging threats the local defense
and intelligence community will suffer.
Northern Virginia is home to many of the organizations tasked with confronting emerging
security threats, including the Defense Department, Central Intelligence Agency, Office of the
Director of National Intelligence, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Institute for Defense
Analyses, Office of Naval Research, Defense Intelligence Agency, Transportation Security
Administration, National Reconnaissance Office, National Counterterrorism Center, National
Geospatial Intelligence Agency, DARPA and scores of defense contractors including Booz Allen
Hamilton, SAIC, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrup Grumman, to name just a few.11
10
Michael C. Hayden, “The Future of Things Cyber,” Strategic Studies Quarterly, Spring 2011, p. 3. For more on
the drastic shortage of trained professionals in this area see Karen Evans and Franklin Reeder, A Human Capital
Crisis in Cyber Security, CSIS November 15, 2010, p. V. and “US military lacks the trained people and authorities it
needs to respond to cyber attack,” Associated Press, March 17, 2011.
11
For a complete list of government agencies in Northern Virginia see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_agencies_in_Northern_Virginia
10
At present, no other Virginia university provides a graduate program in international security.
Given the clear need for updating and upgrading the tools and paradigms of professionals
working in the defense and intelligence community, George Mason occupies a strategic location
to launch such a program. Moreover, due to the absence of such a program in Northern Virginia,
those interested in getting a graduate degree in international security must travel into
Washington, D.C. (Georgetown, George Washington, American) or Maryland (University of
Maryland) to do so, paying much higher tuition for the privilege.
Evidence of Local Demand
One group that represents local demand is military veterans who were part of the ramp-up that
occurred for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and who are now retiring or leaving the SErvice.
Of course, there is no guarantee that military veterans will necessarily be interested in studying
security-related issues, particularly at the undergraduate level. Many may wish to develop
careers in completely different areas. However, those who retire or separate with an
undergraduate degree already in hand often want to leverage their existing knowledge and skills
to gain employment as government civilians or in the defense industry. Without a Masters
degree, these professionals find themselves at a disadvantage. For this reason, many are likely to
enroll in graduate degree programs related to their existing areas of expertise.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2011 American Community Survey, the number of
military veterans in Virginia is about 163,000, giving it one of the highest concentrations of
former military members in the country. Of this number, approximately 75,000 are veterans
from 2001 and later. This makes them eligible for benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, whose
duration is fifteen years from the last day of active duty. Benefits can also be transferred to
spouses and combat widows, or children (up to age 26).
For public institutions of higher learning, the post-9/11 bill covers tuition, housing, books,
supplies, and fees. If tuition benefits are applied to private institutions, they are capped at the
national maximum rate, which in AY 2013-4 was $19,198.31. This benefit was inadequate to
cover the tuition of the major security programs in the Washington metropolitan area with whom
George Mason University will compete. As a result, those who choose to use their benefits to
attend private universities will be saddled with intolerable amounts of student debt.
For cost comparison, here are the approximate figures from the 2013-14 Academic Year:12
Georgetown: $1680/credit = $30,240 per year
($11,041.29 X 2=$22,083.38 debt, not including fees)
George Washington University: $1440/credit hour = $25,920 per year
($6,721.69 X 2=$13,443.38 debt, not including fees)
American University: $1399/credit hour = $25,182 per year
12
All of this information was compiled simply by finding the per credit cost listed on each university’s website, and
then multiplying by the number of credits likely to be required each year. These are unofficial figures, not provided
by each of these universities.
11
($5,983.69 X 2=$11,967.38 debt, not including fees)
At George Mason, all tuition costs are covered for qualified individuals under the post-9/11 bill.
This degree will be a cost-effective investment that should not leave military veterans with the
burden of student debt. Even for those without GI bill funding, the expense will be considerably
less than that of Mason’s competitors, for a degree that brings tangible benefits in promotion and
employability in security-related sectors.
Employment Demand
We discuss two primary sources of evidence for employment demand: 1) a discussion of
employment projections; 2) a sampling of position announcements for which a Masters in
International Security is required or preferred.
Employment Projections. Students from our Masters program will find employment in a wide
range of positions and organizations, making it difficult to make direct use of employment
projections to establish employment demand. Nonetheless, for several highly relevant sectors the
employment prospects are strong. The most relevant entry in the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook for many of our prospective students is the “Sociologist and
Political Scientist” entry. As the 2010-11 Handbook notes, “Employment growth of sociologists
and political scientists is projected to grow faster than the average (by 14-19%) between 2008
and 2018. Job opportunities should be best for jobseekers with a master’s or PhD degree in a
social science and with strong quantitative skills.” 13
The most common positions open to graduates with this type of Masters degree are analyst
positions, such as Program Analyst, Intelligence Analyst, or Military Analyst (see the sample job
postings for examples). At the same time, the position a graduate takes will also depend on his or
her previous background and experience. Many of our students already have successful careers
and need the degree to get a raise, a promotion, or to seek a management position within their
existing organization. Anecdotal evidence from PIA’s experience with the Biodefense program,
for example, suggests that our graduates have benefitted a great deal from their Mason degrees.
With respect to employment trends in the public sector, major agencies such as the Department
of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, and Department of Homeland Security continue to hire
at a rapid pace. Given U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, and continued
counterterrorism efforts, the prospects for professionals with security expertise are very strong.
The same is true, in turn, for analogous positions in the private sector at defense contracting
firms. Appendix E contains sample job postings for a wide range of positions for which
graduates from the M.S. program will be very competitive.
13
As the BLS handbook notes, “The vast majority of bachelor’s degree holders in sociology and political science
find employment in niche areas with specialized titles, such as market analyst, research assistant, writer, or policy
analyst.” STIS graduates are simply a specific type of political science graduate with expertise in security, making
this a very relevant data point, though not perfect.
12
In addition, the military will continue to need qualified individuals at all levels. According to the
2010-11 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, job prospects through 2018
within all branches of the Armed Forces are “excellent,” meaning that there will be more new
job openings than new job seekers. This is important because many of our students will be active
military officers and because the military strongly encourages officers to seek graduate education
as they rise through the ranks.
Employment Demand Appendix. See Appendix D for copies of a number of recent job postings
with public and private sector employers.
Student Demand
We provide three pieces of evidence of student demand for the Masters in International Security:
1) a survey given to undergraduate students; 2) a short-term testing of the market by the School
of Public Policy, 3) emails from several prospective students who would want to enroll in the
proposed program if approved;
First, in Fall 2013 we surveyed 1100 GMU undergraduate concentrators in Public and
International Affairs. Of 185 responses, 125 (68%) indicated that they were either “somewhat”
or “very likely” to apply to the I-SEC program in the next two or three years. 70% felt that the
program would attract considerable interest in the political science, history, defense, and
intelligence communities. 95% felt that it was either very important (77%) or somewhat
important (17%) that Northern Virginia offer such a program.
We believe that the survey findings reveal strong interest in the Masters in International Security
joint degree, particularly given the fact that Mason’s own undergraduates are in fact a very key
source of Mason graduate students.
Second, the School of Public Policy performed a short-term, informal probing of the market in
Spring 2013, when it advertised an International Security concentration for its already existing
Masters of Public Policy degree. While by no means a scientific test, the response from
prospective students visiting the School of Public Policy website was strong. Between 30
January and 15 April (the period of time the concentration appeared on the SPP website), there
were 36 inquiries, resulting in 9 applications for admission. This rate compares favorably with
existing programs, especially considering the virtual absence of marketing. For internal reasons,
the concentration was never launched; however, the short-term evidence of apparent market
demand was impressive.
In addition, although this demand relates to the School of Public Policy’s doctoral program, it is
an indirect indicator of the growing interest in the area of international security within the
northern Virginia recruitment area. In the past six years, the number of students expressing an
interest in national security, terrorism or the military as the subjects of their doctoral research has
grown from 25% to 42% overall. (See Appendix XX) Because of fluctuations in our security-
13
related faculty, this has not been a uni-directional trend during every year ; however, the overall
increase in interest is undeniable.
Finally, please see Appendix E for sample emails of student support for and interest in the
program and the complete survey results.
_____________________________________________________________________________
STATE COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR VIRGINIA
SUMMARY OF PROJECTED ENROLLMENTS IN PROPOSED PROGRAM
Projected enrollment:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Target Year
(2-year institutions)
Year 5
Target Year
(4-year institutions)
20xx – 20xx
20xx – 20xx
20xx – 20xx
20xx- 20xx
20xx – 20xx
HDCT FTES HDCT FTES HDCT FTES HDCT FTES
GRAD
--
HDCT
FTES
Duplication
Within the Commonwealth of Virginia no other university provides a graduate program in
international security.
Several Virginia universities offer programs related to some parts of our proposed degree:
Old Dominion University offers the M.A. and the Ph.D. in International Studies, an
interdisciplinary degree including courses in international relations, history, geography, and
language study.
Virginia Tech offers a Master’s of Public and International Affairs in their northern Virginia
center and online.
14
GRAD
Projected Resource Needs
The program will not require any major additional resources upon launch.
Full-time Faculty
Part-time Faculty from Other Academic Units
Adjunct Faculty
Graduate Assistants
Classified Positions
Targeted Financial Aid
Equipment
Library
Telecommunications
Space
Other Resources
PROJECTED RESOURCE NEEDS FOR PROPOSED PROGRAM
Part A: Answer the following questions about general budget information.



Has or will the institution submit an addendum budget request
to cover one-time costs?
Has or will the institution submit an addendum budget request
to cover operating costs?
Will there be any operating budget requests for this program
Yes
No
X
Yes
No
X
15


that would exceed normal operating budget guidelines (for
example, unusual faculty mix, faculty salaries, or resources)?
Will each type of space for the proposed program be within
projected guidelines?
Will a capital outlay request in support of this program be
forthcoming?
Yes
Yes
No
X
Yes
X
No
No
X
Part B: Fill in the number of FTE positions needed for the program
Full-time FTE*
Part-time FTE **
Adjunct faculty
Graduate assistants
Classified positions
TOTAL
Program Initiation Year
200XX – 20XX
On-going and
Added
reallocated
(New)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Expected by
Target Enrollment Year
20XX – 20XX
Added
Total FTE
(New)***
positions
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
* Faculty dedicated to the program. **Faculty effort can be in the department or split with another unit.
*** Added after initiation year.
16
Part C: Estimated resources to initiate and operate the program
Full-time faculty
salaries
fringe benefits
Part-time faculty (faculty
FTE split with unit(s))
salaries
fringe benefits
Program Initiation Year
20XX – 20XX
0.00
0.00
$0
$0
$0
$0
Expected by
Target Enrollment Year
20XX- 20XX
0.00
0.00
$0
$0
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
Adjunct faculty
salaries
fringe benefits
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
Graduate assistants
salaries
fringe benefits
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
Classified Positions
salaries
fringe benefits
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
0.00
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
Total Personnel cost
salaries
fringe benefits
Total personnel cost
Equipment
Library
Telecommunication costs
Other costs (specify)
TOTAL
17
Part D: Certification Statement(s)
The institution will require additional state funding to initiate and sustain this program.
Yes
Signature of Chief Academic Officer
X
No
Signature of Chief Academic Officer
If “no,” please complete items 1, 2, and 3 below.
1. Estimated $$ and funding source to initiate and operate the program.
Funding Source
Reallocation within the
department (Note below the
Program initiation year
20XX-20XX
Target enrollment year
20XX-20XX
impact this will have within the
department.)
Reallocation within the school
or college (Note below the impact
this will have within the school or
college.)
Reallocation within the
institution (Note below the impact
this will have within the institution.)
Other funding sources (Please
specify, to include extramural
funding and philanthropy, and note
if these are currently available or
anticipated.)
2. Statement of Impact/Other Funding Sources.
For each reallocation noted above, please indicate the impact such a reallocation will have
on the department, school, college, and/or institution.
Reallocation within the department
Reallocation within the school or college
18
Reallocation within the institution
Other funding sources
3. Secondary Certification.
If resources are reallocated from another unit to support this proposal, the institution will not
subsequently request additional state funding to restore those resources for their original purpose.
Agree
Signature of Chief Academic Officer
Disagree
Signature of Chief Academic Officer
19
Appendices
Appendix A –Sample Plan of Study
M.A. in International Security
Education Plan Form – Fall 2014
This form must be completed and signed by your advisor during your first semester.
Student Name: ___________________________
G #:______________
Specialization: _________ Catalog Year:______ Anticipated Graduation Date:_______
Core Courses (21 credits)
Course #
Course Name
GOVT 540
International Relations
PUBP XXX
Theory and Practice of Public Policy for Security
GOVT 745
International Security
PUBP XXX
Ethics and the Use of Force
GOVT 744
Foundations of Security Studies
PUBP 771
Grand Strategy
GOVT 511 or
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
PUBP 704
Statistical Methods in Policy Analysis
Cr. Hours
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Sem/Year
Electives: At least one course (3 credits) from each area for a total of six courses (Total 18 credits):
Below is a representative example of electives that a student might choose:
Area I: Managing Global Risks (at least 3 credits from each area)
Course #
Course Name
Cr. Hours
PUBP 710
The Geopolitics of Energy Security
3
BIOD 620
Health and Security
3
PUBP 736
International Migration and Public Policy
3
GOVT 734
Democratization
3
Area II: Security Policy and Processes (at least 3 credits from each area)
Course #
Course Name
Cr. Hours
PUBP 743
National Security Management and Policy
3
BIOD 706
Science, Technology and National Security
3
PUBP XXX
Foreign Intelligence in a Free Society
3
PUAD 630
Managing Homeland Security
3
Area III: Regional and Transnational Security Challenges (at least 3 credits from each area)
Course #
Course Name
Cr. Hours
PUBP 710
Corruption and Public Policy
3
BIOD 722
Examining Terrorist Groups
3
Sem/Year
Sem/Year
Sem/Year
20
PUBP 710
Transnational Crime
3
BIOD 725
Terrorism and WMD
3
The Full list of electives will include courses on Crime, Cybersecurity, Trafficking, Intelligence, Regional issues,
Leadership and other areas TBD.
Total Number of Credit Hours (should total 39):______________
Sample Plan of Study for Full Time Student
Year
Fall Semester
GOVT 540 International Relations
One
PUBP XXX Theory and Practice of Public
Policy for Security
GOVT 745 International Security
Two
GOVT 511/PUBP 704 Problem Solving and
Data Analysis/
Statistical Methods in Policy Analysis
PUBP 710 The Geopolitics of Energy
Security
BIOD 620 Health and Security
Sample Plan of Study for Part-Time Student
Year
Fall Semester
GOVT 540 International Relations
One
PUBP XXX Theory and Practice of Public
Policy for Security
Spring Semester
PUBP XXX Ethics and the Use of Force
GOVT 744 Foundations of Security Studies
PUBP 771 Grand Strategy
PUBP 710 Corruption and Public Policy
GOVT 733 Islam and Politics
PUBP 740 U.S. Foreign Policy
PUAD 634 Management of International
Security
Spring Semester
PUBP XXX Ethics and the Use of Force
GOVT 744 Foundations of Security Studies
GOVT 511/PUBP 704 Problem Solving and
Data Analysis/
Statistical Methods in Policy Analysis
PUBP 710 The Geopolitics of Energy
Security
PUBP 710 Corruption and Public Policy
Three
BIOD 620 Health and Security
GOVT 745 International Security
PUBP 740 U.S. Foreign Policy
PUAD 634 Management of International
Security
Four
PUBP 771 Grand Strategy
Two
GOVT 733 Islam and Politics
21
Appendix B1: Selected Electives by Area
Area I. Managing Global Risks
PUBP 710 Democratic Transitions and Democracy Promotion
PUBP 710 The Geopolitics of Energy Security
PUBP 710 Climate Change Policy and Governance
PUBP 710 Development and Peace Operations
PUBP 777 Critical Infrastructure Protection
PUBP 654 Analysis for Peace Operations
PUBP 751 International Police Operations
PUBP 710 International Migration, Global Governance and the Knowledge Economy
BIOD 620 Health and Security
GOVT 641 Global Governance
GOVT 734 Democratization
GOVT 730 Issues in Comparative and International Politics
GOVT 741 Advanced Seminar in International Politics
GOVT 831 Research Seminar in Regional Political Culture and Development
Possible new courses: Political Risk Analysis in the Public and Private Sectors
Urbanization and Conflict
Public Health
CyberSecurity
Area II. Security Policy and Processes
PUBP 743 National Security Management and Policy
PUBP 710 Foreign Intelligence in a Free Society
PUBP 710 Intelligence and Public Policy
PUBP 710 Intelligence and the Constitution
PUBP 710 Security and Intelligence Issues
PUBP 710 Net Assessment and Planning for National Security
PUBP 766 Modern Counterinsurgency: Theory and Practice
PUBP 710 Civil-Military Relations
PUBP 740 U.S. Foreign Policy: Politics and Process
PUBP 759 National Security Law and Public Policy
PUBP 653 The Interagency Process
PUBP 741 U.S. Financial Policy, Processes and Procedures
BIOD 609 Biodefense Strategy & Policy
BIOD 610 Cyber Security Strategy & Policy
BIOD 705 Intelligence Theory and Practice
BIOD 706 Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons and Policy
BIOD 709 Arms Control and Proliferation
BIOD 751 Biosurveillance
PUAD 504 Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice
PUAD 520 Organization Theory and Management Behavior
22
PUAD 630 Managing Homeland Security
PUAD 634 Management of International Security
PUAD 636 The NGO: Policy and Management
GOVT 713 Constitution, Criminal Procedure, and Security
PUAD 727 Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making
GOVT 742 International Negotiation
GOVT 746 Media and International Affairs
GOVT 755 Seminar in Politics and Bureaucracy
GOVT 758 Homeland/Transportation Security Administration
GOVT 795 Leadership in Justice & Security Organizations
GOVT 841 Ethics and Human Rights in International Affairs
GOVT 843 Diplomacy
Area III. Regional and Transnational Security Challenges
PUBP 769: Political Violence and Terrorism
PUBP 710: Transnational Crime
PUBP 710: Corruption and Public Policy
PUBP 764: Human Trafficking and Smuggling
PUBP 710: Transnational Security Issues
BIOD 722: Examining Terrorist Groups
BIOD 725: Terrorism and WMD
BIOD 726: Agroterrorism and Food Security
GOVT 530 Comparative Politics
GOVT 631 Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions
GOVT 641 Global Governance
GOVT 731 Advanced Seminar in Comparative Politics
GOVT 733 Islam and Politics
GOVT 734 Democratization
GOVT 741 Advanced Seminar in International Politics
GOVT 743 International Political Economy
GOVT 746 Media and International Affairs
23
Appendix B2 – Course Descriptions
Description of Required Common Core Courses
GOVT 540 - International Relations (3:3:0) Focuses on changing structure of international
politics, post-Cold War security issues, effect of globalized economy and information technology
revolution, enhanced role of global corporations and nongovernmental organizations, and rise of
nonsecurity issues in emerging international agenda.
PUBP XXX – Theory and Practice of Public Policy for Security (3:3:0)
Theories of public policy emphasizing historical intellectual development, and role theory and
ethics may play in public policy making. Assumptions made by policy professionals examined
against broad range of philosophical, social, political, and economic imperatives affecting public
policy environment.
GOVT 745—International Security (3:3:0) Examines interplay of international politics and
international security. Discusses theoretical perspectives and analytical tools in academic field of
international security, and applies theories and tools to nuclear, biological, and chemical
weapons, strategy and defense, and arms control. How domestic issues affect defense policies,
terrorism, changing nature of international conflict, and human security will be examined.
PUBP XXX – Ethics and the Use of Force (3:3:0)
This course examines normative arguments about the moral legitimacy or illegitimacy of the use
of force in the modern age. It includes in-depth discussion of the Just War tradition and its
historical evolution, as well as cultural and religious attitudes toward the use of force, including
Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions. Among other things it will discuss challenges to the
ethical use of force posed by weapons of mass destruction, new precision weaponry, remote
targeting, and blurred boundaries between combatants and noncombatants.
GOVT 744 – Foundations of Security Studies (3:3:0) Introduces students to a selection of the
original sources of the most important ideas that form the basis of security studies as a field.
PUBP 771 – Grand Strategy (3:3:0)
Uses the traditional tools of history and theory to analyze grand strategy. The goal is to gain an
in-depth understanding of effective and ineffective grand strategies so as to inform U.S. policy,
or that of other countries. Analyzing the strategic implications of policy-making, it takes a long
view of effective statecraft, using current means to achieve large ends.
GOVT 511 or PUBP 704 – Problem Solving and Data Analysis; Statistical Methods in
Policy Analysis (3:3:0) Graduate-level introduction to statistical methods and techniques used in
24
policy sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, sampling and probability theory, graphical
data display, estimation and significance testing, contingency tables, bivariate regression and
correlation, and multiple regression, with introduction to computer based statistical analysis.
25
Appendix C – Abbreviated CV’s for Faculty
School of Public Policy
Enrique Desmond Arias, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Political Science, University of
Wisconsin, Madison, 2001. Armed actors and governance; comparative politics; criminal
organizations and conflict; drug trafficking; extortion, corruption, and racketeering; policing;
democratization; research in violent settings.
Kevin Avruch, Professor of Conflict Resolution and Anthropology; Ph.D., University of
California at San Diego. Culture and conflict resolution, cross-cultural negotiation, nationalist
and ethno-religious social movements, sources of political violence in protracted conflicts.
Audrey Kurth Cronin, Distinguished Service Professor; D.Phil., International Relations,
University of Oxford (UK), 1985. International security; war and peace; strategy; terrorism,
insurgency and political violence; how conflicts end.
David F. Davis, Research Assistant Professor; M.S., Naval Postgraduate School, 1981.
International peacekeeping, post-conflict stabilization and reconstruction, role of military forces,
metrics and measurement, and simulation.
Desmond Dinan, Professor of Public Policy and Jean Monnet Chair; Ph.D., National University
of Ireland, 1985. Global governance; European Union institutions, history, and historiography.
Allison M. Frendak-Blume, Assistant Professor of Public Policy; Ph.D., George Mason
University, 2004. Conflict analysis and resolution, international peacekeeping, post-conflict
stabilization and reconstruction, sub-national governance, and U.S. foreign policy.
Jack Goldstone, Virginia E. and John T. Hazel Jr. Professor of Public Policy. Ph.D., Harvard
University, 1981. Political conflict, revolutions and social movements, democratization, state
building, comparative economic development.
John Gordon IV, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., George Mason University, 2005.
Counterinsurgency, military operations, irregular warfare.
Michael V. Hayden, distinguished visiting professor; M.A., Duquesne University. U.S. security
and foreign policy.
Todd M. LaPorte, Associate Professor of Public Policy; Ph.D., Yale University, 1989.
Governance, international political economy, organizational responses to extreme events, critical
infrastructure protection.
Stuart Malawer, Distinguished Professor of Law and International Trade; Ph.D., University of
Pennsylvania. National security law and policy, U.S. and global trade politics.
C-1
Jeremy D. Mayer, Associate Professor of Public Policy; Ph.D., Georgetown University, 1996.
Public opinion, racial politics, foreign policy, presidential elections, statistical methods, survey
methods, and media politics.
Connie L. McNeely, Associate Professor of Public Policy; Ph.D., Stanford University. Race,
ethnicity and nation; states and society.
John N. Paden, Clarence J. Robinson Professor of International Studies. Comparative
government, international development, conflict resolution, African studies.
James Pfiffner, University Professor of Public Policy; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1975.
American government and politics, U.S. federal government, strategic and international studies.
Louise Shelley, Professor of Public Policy; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1977.
Transnational crime, terrorism, corruption, human trafficking, illicit trade; and Soviet successor
state.
Janine R. Wedel, Professor of Public Policy; Ph.D., University of California, Berkley, 1985.
Governing, corruption and the state, foreign aid, social networks, Eastern Europe, and
anthropology of public policy.
Department of Public and International Affairs Faculty
Peter J. Balint, Ph.D, 2000, University of Maryland.
Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, community-based natural resource
management.
James N. Burroughs, J.D, 1981, College of William and Mary.
Assistant Professor, Public and International Affairs, Public Management, Administrative &
Regulatory Law, Nonprofit Leadership and Management
Jo-Marie Burt, Ph.D, 1999, Columbia University.
Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, Comparative politics, Latin America
Ahsan Butt, Ph.D., 2012, University of Chicago. Ethnicity and nationalism, international
security, international relations theory, and South Asia
James Conant, Ph.D, 1983, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, public budgeting, executive branch organization and
management, transportation security, and environmental protection
Timothy J. Conlan, Ph.D, 1982, Harvard University.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, U.S. and comparative federalism, intergovernmental
relations, federal policy making
Daniel Druckman, Ph.D, 1966, Northwestern University.
C-2
Professor, Public and International Affairs, Social psychology in international relations
Robert L. Dudley, Ph.D, Northern Illinois University.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, American Government, Judicial
Process/Constitutional Law, Executive Politics, Electoral Behavior, Public Policy
Colin Dueck, Ph.D, 2001, Princeton University.
Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, International Relations, American Politics,
Political Theory
Bassam S. Haddad, Ph.D. 2002. Georgetown University.
Political economy of development, violence and terrorism and US foreign policy, the triangular
crisis area in the Middle East.
Fran Harbour, Ph.D, 1986, Columbia University.
Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, international security issues, ethics and
public policy, chemical and biological weaponry
Mark Katz, Ph.D, 1982, Massachusetts Institution of Technology.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, Government, Post-cold war international
relationship, international relations and domestic politics of the former Soviet Union
Gregory D. Koblentz, Ph.D, 2004, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, international security, weapons of mass
destruction, biodefense, terrorism
Mariely Lopez-Santana, Ph.D, 2006, University of Michigan.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, Europeanization, comparative welfare states,
comparative federalism compliance
Peter P. Mandaville, Ph.D, 1998, University of Kent at Canterbury (UK).
Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, International relations, Islamic world
Hazel M. McFerson, Ph.D, 1976, Brandeis University.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, comparative government, ethnicity and politics,
conflict analysis and resolution, Women in development
Eric McGlinchey, Ph.D, 2003, Princeton University.
Assistant Professor, Public and International Affairs, comparative politics, central Asian regime
change, political Islam, effects of information communication technology (ICT) on state and
society
Sonia Ben Ouagrham-Gormley, Ph.D, 1999, School of Advanced Social Sciences (Paris,
France). Assistant Professor, Public and International Affairs, Tacit knowledge and biological
weapons, WMD export controls, WMD-related trafficking, proliferation financing, proliferation
threats from former Soviet states
C-3
Paul Posner, Ph.D, 1995, Columbia University.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, political science, public policy process,
intergovernmental management, tax policy
Pris Regan, Ph.D., 1979. Cornell University.
Information and communication privacy policy, digital government, public policy process.
A. Trevor Thrall, Ph.D, 1996, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, International Security, political
communication, public attitudes toward foreign policy and war
Ming Wan, Ph.D, 1993, Harvard University.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, International political economy, Sino-Japanese
relations, Asian Pacific region
David Wilsford, Ph.D, 1987, University of California.
Professor, Public and International Affairs, international and comparative political economy
C-4
Appendix D –Employment Demand
Job announcements should be printed from the Internet or captured by PDF. Do not cut and
paste text from the announcement into the proposal. Do not include the announcements as
an image or screen capture.
E-1
Appendix E1 – Student Demand – School of Public Policy
SPP Doctoral Students’ Growing Interest in “National Security Policy, Terrorism or the
Military”
The following summarizes the surveys of interest areas expressed by incoming doctoral students
in the School of Public Policy:
2006: 7 of 28 students = 25%
2007: 6 of 19 students = 32%
2008: 6 of 21 students = 28%
2009: 7 of 23 students = 30 %
2010: 2 of 20 students = 10%
2011: 2 of 20 students = 10%
2012: 11 of 26 students = 42%
Evidence of Demand?
Veterans in Virginia
Number of Veterans Eligible for post-9/11
GI Bill*
Gulf War (9/2001 or later)
Gulf War (9/2001) and Desert Storm
(8/1990 to 8/2001)
Gulf War (9/2001 or later), and Desert
Storm (8/1990 to 8/2001), and
Vietnam Era
Total
75,217
82,738
5,378
163,333
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2011 American Community Survey (and thanks to Lisa Sturtevant)
Post 911 GI Bill covers tui on, housing, books, supplies,
and fees for public schools;
Can be used for children or selves
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Appendix E2 – Student Demand – PIA Undergraduate Survey
This survey is intended to help George Mason University plan for a new Master's Program in International Security.
Your answers will be completely confidential; no personally identifiable information will be released. In
appreciation, we are offering a chance drawing for one of three $50 gift cards to Amazon. If you would like to be
included in the drawing, please enter your preferred email address in the text box on the last page.
The new Master's program would provide broad training in international security and also allow students to take
elective courses in three areas: Managing Global Risks, Security Policies and Processes, and Regional and
Transnational Security Challenges.
The degree is designed to prepare students to work in a range of fields and organizations. Typical early career paths
for graduates would include defense and intelligence analysts, program and policy analysts, program managers, and
researchers. Though there are several international security programs in the Metro D.C. area, the George Mason
program would be the only such program in Northern Virginia.
For further information about the program and its planned Fall 2014 launch, please email Dr. Trevor Thrall at
[email protected].
What is your current enrollment status?

Currently an undergraduate (97%)

Currently a graduate student (1%)

Not currently enrolled in school (2%)
If you are in school, at which college or university are you enrolled now?
What is your current employment status?

Employed full-time (11%)

Employed part-time (46%)

Not employed right now (41%)
At the current time, which of the following choices best describes your career goal?

Academic teaching or research (9%)

Research in a professional organization (5%)

Issue-oriented or advocacy position (14%)

Professional position in government and policy-making (68%)

Military service (3%)
How interested are you in international security?

Very interested (50%)

Somewhat interested (37%)

Not very interested (8%)

Not at all interested (2%)
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
Not sure (1%)
If a Master's program in International Security were offered at George Mason University, how likely would
you be to apply for it within the next two or three years?

Very likely (30%)

Somewhat likely (38%)

Not very likely (19%)

Very unlikely (9%)

Not sure (2%)
How much interest do you think this program would attract among students and professionals in political
science, history, and the defense community?

Considerable interest (70%)

Some interest (25%)

Not very much interest (1%)

No interest at all (1%)

Not sure (0%)
How important is it for a Master's program in International Security to be offered in Northern Virginia?

Very important (77%)

Somewhat important (18%)

Not very important (2%)

Not at all important (1%)

Not sure (0%)
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Appendix E3 – Student Demand – Student Emails
Note: Emails included here with explicit student permission.
Email #1
Dr. Thrall,
Thank you for your response. I will keep an eye out for news about the program and hope it
clears the necessary hurdles. Please use my email in support of whatever process the program
needs to go through. The following is a more specific statement of interest:
I think a program tailored to international security would have great appeal nationally given our
proximity to the national security infrastructure surrounding the DC area. I’ve had the
opportunity to intern for the government on two occasions and have noticed how highly regarded
GMU is among government managers. Having an International Security MA at Mason would
provide an opportunity for students like myself to become better analysts and more competitive
candidates for careers in international security, homeland security, diplomacy, and even the
private sector.
Best,
W. R.
Email #2
Professor,
I took your American Security Policy class last Fall 2012 and learned a great deal from your
course. I read the email about the new Masters in International Security program that is going to
be starting up next Fall 2014. I am graduating this Spring 2014 and was wondering if I could find
any additional information regarding the program, or if there were any future information
sessions regarding the program coming up? This is a program I would be very interested in
applying for.
Best,
E. R.
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