Institute for World Politics

What you'll study

The program requires 52 credit hours; most courses are four credits unless noted otherwise. Core coursework (20 credits) covers ideas and values in international politics, sources of American political thought, Western moral and political thought, contemporary politics and diplomacy, international relations and integrated strategy, geography and strategy, economics for foreign policy makers, and a capstone course.

• Core highlights (examples and credit amounts as listed): IWPO 606 Ideas and Values in International Politics (2 credits); IWPO 608 Sources of American Political Thought (2 credits); IWPO 615 Western Moral and Political Thought (2 credits); IWPO 620 Contemporary Politics and Diplomacy; IWPO 627 International Relations, Statecraft and Integrated Strategy; IWPO 634 Geography and Strategy (2 credits); IWPO 642 Economics for Foreign Policy Makers (2 credits); IWPO 799 Capstone Course (2 credits).
• Concentrations (16 credits required): choose from Defense and National Security (e.g., National Security Policy Process; U.S. National Security Strategy and Emerging Threats; Military Strategy; Defense Strategy, Planning, and Budgeting), Intelligence (e.g., Intelligence and Policy; Counterintelligence; Estimative Intelligence Analysis; Intelligence Collection; Covert Action), or Public Diplomacy and Strategic Influence (e.g., Foreign Propaganda; The Art of Diplomacy; Public Diplomacy; Political Warfare).
• Electives (16 credits): students may select any 16 credits of courses or opt for a second concentration.

Entry requirements

The published description does not list numeric admissions thresholds; applicants apply online and can contact an admissions officer for details. Online students are not required to take a language proficiency examination, though they may elect to do so elsewhere to enhance credentials. IWP is approved to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) for distance education.

Career prospects

Graduates should be prepared for roles in the national security community and related fields—policy, defense planning, intelligence analysis, diplomacy, and strategic influence—where knowledge of national security process, geopolitical factors, and instruments of statecraft is required. The program aims to develop a specialization in a U.S. national security or foreign affairs subject that supports professional practice or advancement in these areas.

Scholarships & funding angle

The course text does not specify scholarships or tuition particulars; prospective students should consult admissions about financial aid, employer sponsorship, or other funding options available for online graduate study.