M.A. in National Security Studies – International Security
Be a World Changer
Do you want to help create a more secure world? Regent’s online and on-campus Master of Arts in National Security Studies – International Security degree can equip you to identify, assess and deter international security threats. You’ll explore the roles of U.S. intelligence agencies and broaden your knowledge of grand strategy, national security, and cybersecurity to analyze risk, identify future threats, and develop strategic action plans.
Learn to Identify, Assess and Defend
Gain insight into national security, foreign policy, and international relations, and develop sophisticated analysis skills to assess terror threats and develop effective counterterrorism strategies.
Access Faculty Experts
Be mentored by renowned scholars and practitioners committed to national service – and to your success.
Expand Your Reach
Join our global alumni network of government officials, consultants, policymakers, and security professionals in making a difference around the world.
ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE
Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). We have also been recognized as a Military Friendly Top 5 School by Military Friendly®, 2024-25, and among the Top 10 Best for Vets Colleges: Online & Nontraditional by Military Times, 2020.
Presented from a Christian perspective, this degree is supported by our respected faculty in Virginia Beach.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the M.A. in National Security Studies – International Security degree, you can:
- Analyze national security, foreign policy, and international relations issues.
- Develop effective counterterrorism strategies to address potential threats.
- Address international policies and security issues brought forth by U.S. and international intelligence agencies, as well as international organizations such as the U.N.
Career Opportunities
- International Security Analyst
- Homeland Security Specialist
- Risk Manager/Counterintelligence Threat Advisor
- DoD, CIA, DIA, FBI, NSA
- Military
| GOV 601 | International Relations & Cyber Politics | 3 | Considers applicability of traditional IR theory paradigms to description and analysis of cyber conflict and cyber international relations. Considers issues of political economy associated with globalization and cryptocurrencies. Introduces cyberspace actors and institutions and prospects for global conflict and conflict resolution. Cross-listed with GOV 701. |
| GOV 608 | Public Information Systems Management | 3 | The application of information systems concepts and tools to challenges and opportunities in the public sector focusing on information system trends; managerial use of information systems; hardware, software, and telecommunications; systems development processes and practices; strategic and policy issues in IS, and ethical and moral issues surrounding information system management. |
| GOV 609 | Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience | 3 | Addresses the all hazard approach to critical infrastructure protection with a specific focus on cybersecurity and the use of cyber/IT tools in progressing concepts of risk management, mitigation, preparation, and response and recovery efforts. Includes current National Infrastructure Protection Plan Critical Infrastructure/ Key Resource Sector Specific Plans and the use of the Incident Command System in all hazard emergency management disaster response as per the current National Response Framework. Cross-listed with GOV 709. |
| GOV 627 | Conflict & Conflict Resolution | 3 | Evaluates theories about the causes of armed conflict and sustainable peace, both intra- and inter-state, with a focus on specific cases over the past one hundred years. Applies the literature on diplomacy, conflict resolution, track 2 diplomacy and peacebuilding, and transitional justice to real-world cases. Cross-listed with GOV 727. |
| GOV 638 | International Organizations | 3 | Evaluates rationale for and contributions of major government and non-government international organizations, with a focus on international legal covenants, transnational and regional governance, international economic and development organizations, multinational corporations and the international faith-based-non-profit sector. Cross-listed with GOV 738. |
| GOV 642 | Maritime Security | 3 | Develops an understanding of how national security experts consider key maritime security issues and their trade-offs with other national security priorities as well as how the elements of national power (diplomatic, information, military, economics) are related to U.S. objectives in dealing with threats and vulnerabilities in the maritime sector. Cross-listed with GOV 742. |
| GOV 652 | U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East | 3 | Analyzes the past and present foreign policy of U.S. in relation to the greater Middle East, with a focus on the post-war era. Cold War politics, the evolving relationship with Israel and various other governments, religionized politics, and related global trends such as terrorism and oil economics. Cross-listed with GOV 752. |
| GOV 653 | Middle East Politics | 3 | Political change and ideological trends in the Middle East after WWII. Explores the politics of state and nation building, the legacies of colonialism, the impact of nationalism, the development of civil society, the complications of oil wealth, the challenges of democracy, and the place of political Islam. Cross-listed with GOV 753. |
| GOV 654 | International Trafficking in Persons | 3 | Overview of the global problem of trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The course examines the issue of trafficking from several perspectives: (i) the various international conventions that prohibit trafficking in persons; (ii) regional examples of trafficking and factors that contribute to it such as civil unrest and governmental corruption; and (iii) the United States legislative and foreign policy response to trafficking in persons. This course will focus on trafficking in persons as a human rights violation and the treatment of trafficked persons as a victim of a crime. Cross-listed with LAW 735. Law Student Prerequisites: Completion of first year. Recommended: LAW 683, 684, and 784. |
| GOV 657 | International Religious Freedom | 3 | International and regional laws regarding the right to expression and protection of religious belief. Defenses to protect religious freedom, mechanisms for advocacy and intervention, and the impact that non-governmental organizations can have in protecting religious freedom. Cross-listed with MLAW 638. |
| GOV 660 | Intelligence & National Security | 3 | Explores the role of the various U.S. intelligence agencies in assessing foreign and domestic terror threats, developing effective counterterrorism strategies, and thwarting terrorist aggression. Topics include intelligence collection and analysis, domestic vs. foreign intelligence, uses and limits of intelligence for counterterrorism, ethical issues in intelligence, and intelligence oversight and reform. |
| GOV 662 | Cybersecurity Policy & Affairs | 3 | Introduces basic concepts and vocabulary for pursuing additional training in cybersecurity policy and affairs. Examines issues such as: how does encryption work? What is code? What is a blockchain and what is critical infrastructure? Also, suitable for students not wishing to pursue a concentration or certificate but wishing to acquire familiarity with these issues. Cross-listed with GOV 762. |
| GOV 673 | Democracy & Development | 3 | Analyzes the nature and character of democracy and democratic institutions, compares theoretical approaches to democratization and political development, and analyzes practical case studies. Cross-listed with GOV 773. |
| GOV 674 | International Political Economy | 3 | A multi-disciplinary study of international and multinational social, political, and economic problems from a Comparative and international perspective. Cross-listed with GOV 774. |
| GOV 676 | Politics of East Asia | 3 | Deals with Asia’s wars and peace in the 20th century, and the dynamic political, economic, and religious developments in the 21st century. It will also discuss the division and desire for unification of Korea, and China’s rise as a regional and global power. Includes an analysis of ASEAN’s goal to move from economic cooperation to political integration and regional security, and the consideration of the role of APEC and Asia’s future relations with The United States and European Union. Cross-listed with GOV 776. |
| MLAW 640 | National Security Law | 3 | This seminar provides students an analysis of national security topics. Among the topics which may be covered are national security and the role of law, theoretical approaches to national security and world order, development of the international law of conflict management, the use of force in international relations, the laws of wars and neutrality, war crimes, the international law of intelligence collection, the control of international terrorism, American security doctrine and nuclear weapons. Cross-listed with GOV 640. |
2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $900 | 6 | $5,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per t2-atpsSemester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $900 | 9 | $8,100 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA) | $695 | 6 | $4,170 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $900 | 6 | $5,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA) | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | $900 | 9 | $8,100 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.