National Security Studies, B.S.
Visit the National Security Studies page for more information on the program and access to advising.
Program Description
The BA/BS in National Security Studies (NSS) will provide an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for public and private sector national security careers through acquisition of subject matter expertise and analytical skills. This baccalaureate degree program will expose students to the wide variety of critically important security challenges and issues faced in the twenty-first century such as: terrorism and cyber security, nuclear proliferation and weapons of mass destruction, piracy and global pandemics, sovereignty and the use of force, and civil liberties and the rule of law. Students will also acquire skills such as critical thinking, writing, briefing, and analysis techniques specifically tailored for the national security field, but applicable in many others. Whether students are interested in counterterrorism, homeland security, intelligence gathering and analysis, foreign relations, law and politics, diplomacy, or international development, the NSS BA/BS will provide insight and skills needed to succeed in these professions.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
| General Education Requirements | 30 Credits | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 1005 | Foundations of Academic Writing | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (3) | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra (6) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics (3) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics with Algebra (5) | ||
| College Algebra for Business (3) | ||
| College Algebra (4) (recommended for business, Education, Science, and Health Professions majors) | ||
| College Algebra with Preliminaries (5) | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| American History (3) | ||
| US History to 1877 and US History since 1877 (6) | ||
| Distribution Courses: | ||
| Biology | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Discipline Core Requirements: | 42 Credits | |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 |
| NSS 2010 | Introduction to National Security | 3 |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| NSS 3050 | US Intelligence Community | 3 |
| NSS 3010R | National Security Area Studies | 3 |
| NSS 4210 | Law of War | 3 |
| NSS 4250 | National Security Career Strategies | 3 |
| NSS 4300 | Intelligence Cycle and Collections | 3 |
| NSS 4400 | Statecraft and Strategy | 3 |
| NSS 4600 | National Security Law | 3 |
| NSS 4750R | Current Topics in National Security | 3 |
| POLS 3680 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| POLS 4500 | International Conflict and Security | 3 |
| NSS 4990 | National Security Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Elective Requirements: | 48 Credits | |
| Complete 28 credits from the following: | 28 | |
| The Cold War--Culture and Politics (undefined) | ||
| Intelligence Analysis and Tradecraft (3) | ||
| National Security Internship (1-9) | ||
| Directed Readings and Special Projects in National Security (1-3) | ||
| Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3) | ||
| Terrorism and the Criminal Justice System (3) | ||
| Constitutional Criminal Rights (3) | ||
| The History of World War I (3) | ||
| The History of World War II (3) | ||
| Genocide in the Twentieth Century (3) | ||
| Violence and Social Conflict in Latin America (3) | ||
| Introduction to Homeland Security (3) | ||
| Information Security Fundamentals (3) | ||
| Current Topics in Military Science (3) | ||
| The Profession of Arms I (3) | ||
| The Profession of Arms II (3) | ||
| The Ethics of War and Peace (3) | ||
| Introduction to Human Security (3) | ||
| Conflict Transformation Resolution and Sustainable Peace (3) | ||
| Survey of International Terrorism (3) | ||
| US Presidency (3) | ||
| World Diplomacy (3) | ||
| American Foreign Policy (3) | ||
| International Relations of the Middle East (3) | ||
| International Relations of East Asia (3) | ||
| International Organization (3) | ||
| International Law (3) | ||
Any other course approved by the NSS Director or Academic Advisor | ||
| All other non-discipline electives | 20 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits, 40 credits must be upper-division.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above.
- All discipline and core requirements must be passed with a C- or higher.
- Residency hours: minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
- Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
- Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
- Successful completion of at least two Writing Enriched courses.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing or Foundations of Academic Writing | 3 |
| HIST 1700 | American History | 3 |
| Biology Requirement | 3 | |
| General Elective | 5 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics with Algebra | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| College Algebra with Preliminaries | ||
| Social/ Behavioral Science Requirement | 3 | |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| Physical Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Fine Arts Requirement | 3 | |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| NSS 2010 | Introduction to National Security | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
| NSS Elective | 2 | |
| General Elective | 4 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| NSS 3050 | US Intelligence Community | 3 |
| NSS 3010R | National Security Area Studies | 3 |
| NSS 4210 | Law of War | 3 |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| NSS 4250 | National Security Career Strategies | 3 |
| NSS 4300 | Intelligence Cycle and Collections | 3 |
| NSS 4400 | Statecraft and Strategy | 3 |
| POLS 3680 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| POLS 4500 | International Conflict and Security | 3 |
| NSS 4600 | National Security Law | 3 |
| NSS 4750R | Current Topics in National Security | 3 |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| NSS 4990 | National Security Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| NSS Elective | 3 | |
| NSS Elective | 1 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
An online graduation plan offers students a flexible yet structured approach to their academic journey. While this sample serves as a general guideline, individual plans may differ based on Math and English placement scores. Meeting with an academic advisor is strongly recommended to customize plans and ensure all graduation requirements are met.
Online course options are available at https://www.uvu.edu/online/courses/index.html, and advising support is available through your assigned advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1005 |
Introduction to Academic Writing or Foundations of Academic Writing |
3 |
| HIST 1700 | American History | 3 |
| Biology | 3 | |
| GE Electives | 5 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
| Quant. Literacy | 3 | |
| Soc/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 |
| GE Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| NSS 2010 | Introduction to National Security | 3 |
| GE Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| Personal, Pro, & Civic Growth | 3 | |
| NSS 4800 | Intelligence Analysis and Tradecraft | 3 |
| GE Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| NSS 3050 | US Intelligence Community | 3 |
| NSS 3010R | National Security Area Studies | 3 |
| NSS 4210 | Law of War | 3 |
| NSS 4810R | National Security Internship | 1-9 |
| CJ 4160 | Constitutional Criminal Rights | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 13-21 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| NSS 4250 | National Security Career Strategies | 3 |
| NSS 4300 | Intelligence Cycle and Collections | 3 |
| NSS 4400 | Statecraft and Strategy | 3 |
| POLS 3680 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| ESMG 3100G | Introduction to Homeland Security | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| POLS 4500 | International Conflict and Security | 3 |
| NSS 4600 | National Security Law | 3 |
| NSS 4750R | Current Topics in National Security | 3 |
| CYBR 2700 | Information Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| POLS 3400 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| NSS 4990 | National Security Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| NSS Electives | 12 | |
| GE Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-128 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Acquire general knowledge about the U.S. national security system and process, including familiarity with the National Security Council, executive departments and agencies, presidential powers, congressional roles and powers, applicable international and domestic law, and current geographical and functional issues in the national security field.
- Gain skills through class simulations and instruction in analytical thinking and reasoning, professional writing, and public speaking and presenting.
- Apply both theoretical and practical approaches to complex national security problems, employing appropriate context to a decision-making framework.