Terrorism Studies Certificate

Study with experts to gain professional training in the study of extremist groups and states that employ the tactics of terrorism, and in the policy tools available to counter terrorism. This program is only available in person.

Students in the Terrorism Studies Certificate program take terrorism-related courses, seminars, and workshops taught by Middlebury Institute faculty who are recognized internationally for their expertise on terrorism and ideological extremism.

Overview

The Institute’s Terrorism Studies Certificate requires a total of 20 credits and focuses on the study of violence-prone extremist groups and their historical evolution, ideological motivations, organizational structure, demographic profile, operational methods, and potential interest in carrying out mass casualty attacks, including through the acquisition and use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

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 for a stand-alone certificate. 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.

Terrorism Research Resources

The Institute has a rich variety of speakers, conferences, research activities, publications, and professional networking opportunities for students interested in terrorism studies.

Curriculum

The certificate consists of 20 credits.

Required courses (4 credits)

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

  • Introduction to Terrorism

Electives (16 credits)

Students must complete at least 16 credits of advanced courses and/or workshops. Sample options:

  • International Security Research and Analysis
  • Introduction to Intelligence
  • US National Security Policymaking
  • From Islam to Islamism
  • Introduction to Cyber Security
  • Fundamentals of Cyber Security
  • Tabletop Exercise Design and Operations (Workshop)
  • Transnational Crime and Terrorism
  • Human Trafficking (Workshop)
  • Nuclear Trafficking
  • Political Violence in Latin America
  • Emergency Response to Terrorism
  • Digital Extremism
  • Drones and Surveillance (Workshop)
  • Counterterrorism (Seminar)
  • Countering Violent Extremism (Seminar)
  • Corruption (Seminar)
  • Global Jihadism (Seminar)
  • Deterring and Influencing Terrorism and WMD (Seminar)
  • Terror and Counterterrorism in Africa
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Terrorism (Seminar)
  • Current Trends in Terrorism Research (Seminar)
  • Terrorism in South Asia (Seminar)
  • Terrorism in Southeast Asia (Seminar)
  • Terrorism Financing (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