Students who pursue a Master of National Security Policy degree may choose to complete their degree in either 12 or 20 months. 

Option 1: 12-Month Plan

In addition to the on-campus experience, the 14 weeks of the semester will include approximately five hours per week of synchronous or asynchronous interaction, totaling 33 hours of instruction/class.

Summer

Courses are virtual and include synchronous and asynchronous elements. Courses will be offered online for the summer session and include two weeks on Duke’s campus: 

  • Week 1 (beginning of the summer): Orientation, meet and work with faculty.
  • Week 2 (end of summer): Experience residential life for one week.

Fall

Courses are virtual and include synchronous and asynchronous elements.

There are two required on-campus immersion weekends and that schedule will be provided as early as possible.

Note: Immersion weekends include full days on Friday and Saturday.

Spring

Courses are virtual and include synchronous and asynchronous elements.

The schedule is similar to the fall semester and will include two immersion weekends.

In addition to the on-campus experience, the 14 weeks of the semester will include approximately 5 hours/week of synchronous or asynchronous interaction, totaling 33 hours of instruction/class.

Course Content Overview for 12-MONTH PLAN OF STUDY

Summer: "Concepts"

  1. Methods of Policy Analysis
  2. Leadership in the National Security Policy Environment
  3. National Security Ethics

Fall: "Process"

  1. National Security Budgeting
  2. National Security Strategy
  3. Institutions of National Security
  4. Team-Based Learning for National Security Professionals

Spring: "Outcomes"

  1. Threats and Opportunities
  2. Elective
  3. Professional Practice in National Security - Students explore common barriers in national security work and work one-on-one with faculty members to solve a professional practice issue either through research or a large-scale project.

Option 2: 20-Month Plan

The immersion experience will be similar to the fall and will include two immersion weekends. In addition to the on-campus experience, the 14 weeks of the semester will include approximately five hours per week of synchronous or asynchronous interaction, totaling 33 hours of instruction/class.

Summer

Courses are virtual and include synchronous and asynchronous elements. Courses will be offered online for the summer session and include two weeks on Duke’s campus.

Week 1 (beginning of the summer): Orientation, meet and work with faculty.

Week 2 (end of summer): Experience residential life for one week.

Please note: 20-month students will have their second summer off. The first summer must include on-campus immersions.

Fall

Courses are virtual and include synchronous and asynchronous elements.

There are two required on-campus immersion weekends and that schedule will be provided as early as possible.

Note: Immersion weekends include full days on Friday and Saturday.

Spring

Courses are virtual and include synchronous and asynchronous elements.

The schedule is similar to the fall semester and will include two immersion weekends.

summer

No classes.

Fall

Both in-person and virtual experiences.

Spring

Both in-person and virtual experiences.

COURSE CONTENT OVERVIEW FOR 20-Month Plan of Study

Summer: "Concepts"

  1. Methods of Policy Analysis
  2. Leadership in the National Security Policy Environment
  3. National Security Ethics

Fall:  "Process"

  1. National Security Strategy
  2. Institutions of National Security

Spring: "Outcomes"

  1. Threats and Opportunities
  2. Elective

Summer: Off

Fall 2: 

  1. National Security Budgeting
  2. Team-Based Learning for National Security Professionals

Spring 2:

  1. Professional Practice in National Security (Students explore common barriers in national security work and work one-on-one with faculty members to solve a professional practice issue either through research or a large-scale project.)