Nonproliferation Studies Certificate/Specialization

Study with experts to gain professional training in the control, reduction, and elimination of weapons of mass destruction—including nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons. This program is only available in person.

Overview

This program includes courses, seminars, and workshops taught by faculty from the Institute’s Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program and experts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies.

Certificate or Specialization

If you are currently enrolled in a Middlebury Institute degree program, you can add the specialization.

If you are not enrolled in one of our degree programs, you can apply to the standalone certificate.

Curriculum

The certificate/specialization consists of 16 credits. An average grade of B or higher is required.

Required courses (8 credits)

All students in the program must complete the following:

  • Introduction to WMD Nonproliferation
  • Science and Technology for Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies

Electives (8 credits)

Students must complete at least 8 credits of advanced courses and/or workshops from the following list. Some courses are not available every semester or year, and this list may be updated periodically. Review the projected course availability for the MA in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies to see when the courses below are expected to be offered.

  • International Security Research and Analysis
  • Global Politics
  • US National Security Policymaking
  • AI and International Security
  • Open Source Tools for Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies
  • Security and Arms Control in Northeast Asia
  • Evolution of Chinese Nuclear Policy
  • Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Simulation
  • Nuclear Research Reactor Practicum
  • The Nuclear Age: Historical Introduction
  • Israel and the Bomb
  • Strategic Export Controls
  • Deterring and Influencing Terrorism and WMD
  • Morality and Contemporary Security
  • Nuclear Power and Nonproliferation
  • Security and WMD in the Middle East
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Terrorism
  • Proliferation and Intelligence
  • Proliferation Financing
  • Nuclear Weapons in South Asia

Tuition

If you take 12–16 credits in a semester, you will be charged the full-time rate.

If you take 11 or fewer credits in a semester, you will be charged at the per-credit rate:

Visit our tuition page for details of each rate.

How to Apply

If you are applying to the standalone certificate, you should have a recent undergraduate or advanced degree in international relations, political science, engineering, a STEM subject, law, or related fields. Those with prior professional work experience and/or select coursework in nonproliferation, terrorism studies, international security, or related fields may also apply. Visit the How to Apply page for the MA in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies for additional requirements, but please note that the following are not required for applicants to the certificate program:

  • Admissions interview
  • Second language proficiency

Current degree-seeking students interested in the specialization do not need to apply. You should speak to your academic advisor about declaring the specialization and using electives to take the appropriate courses.

Questions