Master of Arts in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies Middlebury Institute of International Studies

Prepare for a career in global security through our unique master’s program, which focuses on the challenges posed by terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and financial crime.

Advance Your Career

Our Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies (NPTS) degree is a career-focused security studies master’s, taught on our Monterey, California, campus. By learning how to counter threats posed by terrorism, financial crimes such as money laundering, and nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, you’ll acquire specialized knowledge and skills that will distinguish you from graduates with less-focused international affairs degrees. You’ll be prepared to work at international organizations; government agencies, including the intelligence community (IC), think tanks, and NGOs; and a range of private-sector employers, including the nearby Silicon Valley tech industry.

What You’ll Learn

Our rigorous, professionally focused curriculum will prepare you for a career addressing national and global security concerns associated with WMD proliferation, violent extremism, and illicit financial activities. Our unique program involves a blend of classes, workshops, and hands-on experiences that provide students with both subject-matter expertise and training in practical skills that are in high demand by employers.

Our interdisciplinary curriculum covers international security, science and technology, history, and regional studies, along with language studies and significant real-world opportunities to apply your learning to. Flexible degree requirements mean you can tailor the program around your interests, including opportunities to explore new research tools such as satellite imagery analysis or emerging threats such as those associated with the cyber domain.

You’ll benefit from our purposefully small class sizes, which allow for maximum collaboration with faculty, including opportunities to coauthor papers and work on research projects sponsored by government agencies, think tanks, and foundations.

Earn this 60-credit degree over four semesters. If you have relevant course work and/or experience, you may be able to complete the degree in two or three semesters.