National Security & Public Policy Cohort Program
Develop your analytical and strategic decision-making abilities as part of the Schar School’s National Security & Public Policy (NSPP) cohort program! Whether you’re building on your recent undergraduate degree, or shifting career direction, this program provides you with transferable skills to take with you as your career progresses. Students in the program will earn a Master of Public Policy degree with an emphasis in National Security, in one year!
The cohort program is currently accepting applications and will begin fall 2025.
✔ Fast-Track Your Career – Earn your Master of Public Policy (MPP) in just one year, gaining the skills and credentials needed to enter and advance in national security policy roles.
✔ Cohort-Based Learning & Professional Development- Join a select group of peers with shared interests in national security, benefiting from inside and outside of the classroom networking and career development opportunities.
✔ Specialized national security policy curriculum
Develop expertise in:
• Economic Analysis • Budgeting • Effective Communication • Policy Evaluation
While exploring security issues from a variety of lenses including:
• Energy Policy • Transnational Crime and Corruption • Intelligence • International Relations.
✔ International Study Experience – Gain a global perspective on governance and diplomacy through the Switzerland/France study abroad course, which explores the evolving roles of the United Nations and European Union in global security and policy.
U.S. News & World Report, 2025 Best Graduate Schools
- No. 4 in Homeland Security (Best in Virginia)
- No. 13 in Nonprofit Management (Best in Virginia)
- No. 24 in Public Finance (Best in Virginia)
- No. 34 in Public Policy Analysis
- No. 39 Overall Among Public Affairs Institutions
Program Format
NSPP Cohort participants enroll on a full-time basis, completing 4 courses each semester. Classes meet weekly at Mason Square (Arlington) and are primarily during the day. Cohort members also participate in a robust schedule of workshops, field trips, and networking events throughout the program.
Curriculum
Application Deadline: May 1
Scholarship funding is available.
Application Requirements
The NSPP Cohort program has a selective application process.
Step 1: Express interest in applying to the cohort All applicants must submit the intent to apply form to register interest in applying to the Fall 2025 Cohort.
Step 2: You will receive detailed application instructions specific to the cohort. Materials required include: transcripts, a goal statement, up-to-date resume, and two letters of recommendation. No GRE required!
Step 3: Applicants will be required to have an interview with the Senior Director of Enrollment during the application review process. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted via email after initial application review.
If you have already been admitted to a Schar School master’s program beginning Fall 2025 or have recently submitted your application, but are now interested in the cohort, please submit the form and we will be in touch with next steps.