Nonproliferation Studies Certificate

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.

The Nonproliferation Studies Certificate 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.

Overview

The Institute’s Nonproliferation Studies Certificate requires a total of 20 credits and may be completed in one year or less in residence at the Institute. Students currently enrolled in an Institute degree program can apply to the certificate program and must complete the credits in addition to their degree requirements.

Nondegree students can apply to the stand-alone certificate program. Individuals interested in the stand-alone certificate should have a recent undergraduate or advanced degree in international relations, science, engineering, law, or related fields. Those with prior professional work experience and/or select course work in nonproliferation, terrorism studies, international security, or related fields may also apply.

James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies

The Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) strives to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by training the next generation of nonproliferation specialists and disseminating timely information and analysis. CNS is recognized internationally as the leading nongovernmental organization dedicated exclusively to graduate education and research in nonproliferation. In addition to teaching and research, CNS staff participate actively in international negotiations and prepare students for nonproliferation careers through on-the-job training and interaction with visiting scholars and specialists from other countries. Certificate students are eligible to work as research assistants on a wide variety of CNS projects, including nonproliferation databases, in-depth studies of WMD programs and the international nonproliferation regime, and timely analyses of events and issues in WMD proliferation and control.

Curriculum

The certificate consists of 20 credits. An average grade of B or higher is required.

Required courses (8 credits)

All students earning the Nonproliferation Studies Certificate must complete the following:

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

Electives (12 credits)

Students must complete at least 12 credits of advanced courses and/or workshops. Sample options:

  • International Security Research and Analysis
  • US National Security Policymaking
  • Open Source Tools for Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies
  • Workshop: Nuclear/Radioactive Materials and Weapons
  • Security and Arms Control in Northeast Asia
  • Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Simulation
  • Nuclear Research Reactor Practicum
  • The Nuclear Age: Historical Introduction
  • Workshop: Missiles and Missile Defense
  • Israel and the Bomb
  • Strategic Export Controls
  • Deterring and Influencing Terrorism and WMD
  • Morality and Contemporary Security
  • Nuclear Trafficking
  • Nuclear Power and Nonproliferation
  • Nuclear Trafficking (Seminar)
  • Security and WMD in the Middle East (Seminar)
  • Nuclear Forensics (Workshop)
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Terrorism (Seminar)
  • Chemical and Biological Threats and Responses
  • Chemical and Biological Warfare and Terrorism
  • Proliferation and Intelligence (Seminar)
  • Nuclear Weapons in South Asia (Seminar)
  • Biological and Chemical Weapons and Arms Control (Seminar)

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 interested in the certificate, visit the how to apply page for the MA in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies but please note that the following are not required for applicants to the certificate program:

  • Admissions interview
  • Second language proficiency

Questions