National Security Certificate Studies Certificate

Program Overview

The National Security Studies Certificate Program (NSSCP) at Rutgers–Camden offers students a comprehensive understanding of 21st-century national security threats. These include traditional great power competition, nuclear proliferation, global warming, pandemic disease, cyber security, humanitarian crises, and the challenges posed by failed and failing states. The program also explores the critical balance between national security and civil liberties during times of emergency.

To earn the certificate, students must complete five courses (15 credits):

• Required Courses:
  • US National Security Policy (790:388)
  • Civil Liberties in Times of Emergency (790:426)
• Electives:
  • One to two courses on Regional Politics
  • One to two Core Certificate Courses

Regional Politics Options include:

• Western European Politics (790:305)
• Latin American Politics (790:311)
• East Asian Politics (790:316)
• Comparative Politics of Eastern Europe (790:330)
• African Politics (790:335)
• Middle Eastern Politics (790:336)
• South & Southeast Asian Politics (790:337)
• Chinese Politics (790:339)

Core Certificate Options include:

• Contemporary American Foreign Policy (790:320)
• The US Intelligence Community (790:333)
• Violence, Revolution & Terrorism (790:350)
• Energy Security Policy (790:427)
• Global Views of American Power (790:429)
• Counter Terrorism Strategies (790:435)
• Narcoterrorism (202:319)
• National Security Risk Assessment and Analysis (202:320)

Why Choose This Program?

• Timely Relevance: Addresses a wide range of modern security challenges.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: Combines political science and criminal justice perspectives.
• Flexible Enrollment: Open to students of any major within the Rutgers system.
• Policy Insight: Explores the intersection of security and civil liberties.

Career Opportunities

This certificate is ideal for students pursuing careers in:

• U.S. State, Defense, and Homeland Security Departments
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Counter-terrorism units and law enforcement agencies

The NSSCP provides a strong foundation for roles in national and homeland security, intelligence analysis, and public policy.