M.A. in National Security Studies

Defend & Secure Our Nation. Pursue Your Master’s in National Security Studies.

Are you wired to foresee and tackle challenges related to homeland security, counter-terrorism, and national and international intelligence? Sharpen your skills through our online and on-campus Master of Arts in National Security Studies. Choose from in-demand concentrations that allow you to focus your master’s in national security studies program.

Locations: On Campus, Online

Total Credit Hours: 36-38

Next Session Start: January 13, 2025

Careers | Concentrations | Courses | Admissions | Tuition

Increase Your Career Potential

Prepare for opportunities in the defense industry, military, government, private sector, and beyond.

Position Yourself for Impact

Affect change in cybersecurity, military operations, crisis management, diplomacy, strategic intelligence, and other areas critical to national security.

Develop Your Expertise & Leadership

Identify, analyze, forecast, and manage emerging security threats and identify strategic, policy-based security solutions.

ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE

Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). 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.

M.A. in National Security Studies Career Opportunities

The master’s in national security studies offers the following concentrations:

Cybersecurity Policy
Homeland Security
Indo-Pacific Politics
International Security
Mid-East Politics

Career Opportunities:

Corporate or National Security Administration
DoD, CIA, DIA, FBI, NSA, Homeland Security
Foreign Conflict Manager
Risk Manager/Security Analyst/Threat Advisor
Military

28%

Projected Employment Growth for Information Security Analysts U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Top 25 Best Master's Programs in Virginia, 2024, UniversityHQ.

Concentrations

Cybersecurity Policy

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in National Security Studies – Cybersecurity Policy will equip you with the legal insight, strategies and foresight to help corporations and the nation defend against cyber threats.

Homeland Security

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in National Security Studies – Homeland Security will teach you how to identify and analyze potential security threats to the U.S. while you broaden your knowledge in the areas of domestic terrorism, natural disasters and cybersecurity.

Indo-Pacific Politics

The M.A. in National Security Studies – Indo-Pacific Politics equips you to understand the various political, cultural, economic, and religious issues framing the world’s most populous region. With an expansive territory stretching from Australia to India, you will study the Indo-Pacific framework, from nation-building to sustainable development.

International Security

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in National Security Studies – International Security will teach you how to identify, assess and deter international security threats as you broaden your knowledge in the areas of national security and cybersecurity.

Middle East Politics

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in National Security Studies – Middle East Politics will help you understand the various political, cultural and religious issues in the Middle East, so you can grow your network as a trusted security advisor.

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
GOV 501	Graduate Foundations for Government	2	Provides the knowledge, resources, and essential skills needed for success at the graduate level. Topics include academic writing, online learning, information literacy, and advising and support services for Government.
GOV 603	Research Methods	3	Qualitative and quantitative reasoning, the basic principles of the philosophy of science, and positivist and reflexivist approaches to knowledge creation. Cross listed with GOV 703.
GOV 604	Christian Foundations of Government	3	Offers a biblical perspective of the religious, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Western civilization. Cross-listed with GOV 704.
GOV 605	Christian Ethics & the Law of Armed Conflict	3	Considers the nature of war and peace, including thought and practice from philosophical and religious viewpoints, with particular reference to the Christian tradition (e.g. just war theory) and the formal law of armed conflict. Cross-listed with LAW 560 and GOV 705.
GOV 625	International Relations Theory	3	Foundational seminar for graduate work in International Relations and International Security. Identifies and explains key methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of international relations theory, applies these methods and theories to specific practical aspects of international relations, and analyzes various IR theories and perspectives in light of a Christian world view. Cross-listed with GOV 725.
GOV 641	Grand Strategy & Military Operations	3	Provides the theoretical and conceptual tools required to understand the grand strategy assumptions underlying Western national security policies since the advent of Clausewitz and Jomini with a focus on the application of grand strategy to military operations across the elements of national power (diplomatic, information, military, economics) and among U.S. and allied forces since World War I. Cross-listed with GOV 741.
GOV 632	International Security	3	This course offers a comprehensive overview of the study of international conflict and security. The goal is to provide students with a solid theoretical and conceptual foundation for understanding the causes, nature, and consequences of key developments in international conflict and cooperation. Cross-listed with GOV 732.
GOV 689	US Foreign Policy	3	Historical development of US foreign policy principles; actors involved in creation of foreign policy, role of interest groups and special interests; economic aspects of US foreign policy and the role of ideology and religion; considers America’s role in the world today. Cross-listed with GOV 789.

Admissions Requirements

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.

Tuition & Fees

2024-25 Tuition Rates

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

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2023-24 Tuition Rates

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

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

FAQ

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“A Master of Public Administration with honors — I did that! A single mom, worked full time and a full-time grad student too.”

Keeley Daye, MPA, 2020 Workforce Service Representative, Virginia Employment Commission; Owner, Capture the Daye Photography

“All the time, when people hear I am studying public administration, they say, ‘Oh, we need more Christian leaders in government!’ It’s a perfect fit for Regent’s mission. And if you’re a Christian, you have something anchoring you to the decisions you make that affect an entire country.”

Sonya Mills, MPA, 2018 Human Resources Administrative Specialist, U.S. Department of Justice, Hawaii

“Your time in school, and certainly at Regent, molds how you think, molds how you approach things … Regent offers a serious academic environment that provides for growth in those areas.”

Chris Connelly, M.A. in Public Policy, 1998; Ph.D. in Communication, 2020 Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler

“My time at RSG was a rewarding experience! I was enlightened about the various ideas that influence the political, economic, and social agendas of the world. In addition, I built relationships with faculty, staff, and students and benefited from several RSG-sponsored opportunities.”

Takeshia Stokes, M.A., 2010