Confronting the Global Challenge

In an era when violence-prone extremists can strike across national boundaries and may have access to weapons of mass destruction, the threat of terrorism imperils every policy objective and impacts every human life. The MAIPS Specialization in Terrorism Studies prepares students for professional careers focused on analyzing and combating the greatest threat to global security in the 21st century.

Knowledge and Skills for a Global Response

Meeting this global challenge requires thorough, in-depth analysis of the ideologies, organization, objectives, and operations of extremist groups and their support networks. The Specialization in Terrorism Studies is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for formulating and implementing effective policy responses to the threat of terrorism. Through individual study, group learning activities, and practical training, students earning a Specialization in Terrorism Studies will develop five core competencies:

• Collection, evaluation, and utilization of open-source data relevant to terrorism
• Analysis of the goals, motivations, capabilities, and structures of terrorist groups
• Assessment of terrorist threats arising from various ideological, geographical, and technological contexts
• Formulation, implementation, and evaluation of effective anti-terrorism and counterterrorism policies
• Building the capacity of governments, NGOs, corporations, and other organizations to respond to terrorist threats and incidents

 Specialized Courses

In addition to the core courses of the M.A. in International Policy Studies, the Specialization in Terrorism Studies requires twenty credits of required and elective courses.

Required Course

• IP 584 Introduction to Terrorism

 Elective Courses

• HS 476 Terrorism in the Hispanic World (in Spanish)
• FS 494 Counterterrorism Policy in the EU (in French)
• IP 555 Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
• IP 632 Seminar: Advanced Studies in Terrorism
• IP 653 Seminar: Security and Development
• IP 654 Seminar: Security and Nonproliferation Issues in the Middle East
• IP 658 Seminar: WMD and Terrorism
• IP 668 Seminar: Terrorism in South Asia
• IP 689 Seminar: Islam and Politics in the Caucasus and Central Asia
• WKS 525 Biological Weapons Technology 
• WKS 529 Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons
• WKS 530 History of U.S. Counterterrorism Policy
• WKS 532 Nuclear Weapons Technology
• WKS 537 NGOs and Terrorism: Analytical Links
• WKS 542 Tactical Counterterrorism
• WKS 595 Emerging WMD Supply Networks
• WKS 597 Militant Islamic Organizations in the Middle East

Learning Beyond the Classroom

In addition to developing knowledge through graduate courses, Terrorism Studies students have opportunities to gain practical experience and apply their professional skills as Research Assistants on the Monterey WMD Terrorism Database and other research projects of the Monterey Terrorism Research and Education Program (MonTREP) or through internships in international organizations with the International Professional Service Semester (IPSS) program.

Career Paths for Terrorism Studies Specialists

Students specializing in Terrorism Studies pursue careers in government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector companies dedicated to understanding, preventing, and responding to terrorism. In their professional careers, Terrorism Studies graduates monitor and assess the leadership, motivations, plans and intentions of terrorist groups and their state and non-state sponsors. Terrorism Studies specialists also produce a range of analytical products, brief policymakers, and provide analytical support for law enforcement, military operations, anti-money laundering and counterterrorist finance. Organizations employing recent graduates of the Terrorism Studies program report that our alumni come prepared with a deep understanding of the complex phenomenon of terrorism and a strong set of skills for counterterrorism analysis. These advantages enable them to take on challenges and assume responsibilities faster than graduates of comparable programs.

Contact Information

For information on the Specialization in Terrorism Studies and 
careers in counterterrorism, please contact:
Jeffrey Bale, Ph.D.
Director, Monterey Terrorism Research and Education Program (MonTREP)
jeffrey.bale@miis.edu
831-647-3535