Frequently Asked Questions

While Missouri State University administers the DSS department and program, DSS students attend seated classes in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Specifically, the DSS department is located in Fairfax, Virginia and is easily accessible via the D.C. public transit system.

The Washington, D.C. metro area is where the jobs are, where great opportunities exist and where top-quality practitioners are available to teach.

Yes. The program is uniquely designed to prepare you for careers in the defense industry. You can select courses based on your specific interests.

The overall structure of the program provides the academic rigor and practical policy experience needed for a career in national security.

Most go on to work in national security as policy analysts, intelligence analysts or other careers in the defense industry.

Some continue their education and get a PhD.

The set-up of this program prepares you for either path.

Learn more about our faculty, who are experts in their fields.

The defense and strategic studies program started in 1971 in the School of International Relations at the University of Southern California, under the leadership of Dr. William R. Van Cleave.

The primary objective of the DSS program was, and remains, to provide graduate-level education and training for students planning careers in national and international security affairs and policymaking, and for teaching these topics at the university level. The program flourished at the University of Southern California.

In 1987, it moved to Missouri State University (then Southwest Missouri State University) and became a department offering the specialized Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies degree.

In 2005, the DSS program entered a new era when the university moved the department to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, to take advantage of the many educational, financial and employment opportunities found here.

In 2008 and 2009, DSS provided classes at the Army Management Staff College (2010).

In 2010, DSS began an exchange program with Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.

In 2012, DSS added the master’s degree option in weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to its curriculum.

DSS was selected by the National Defense University and the Department of Defense via a competitive process to provide the WMD degree option for up to 48 students from the National Defense University per year.

When DSS moved to Washington D.C. in 2005, it had 32 graduate students. The program had 115 graduate students enrolled in the fall 2019 semester.

DSS has become one of the largest and most recognized programs of its kind offering an unparalleled graduate curriculum of study at a public university price.

No, we are unable to offer on-campus housing nor assist in facilitating off-campus housing. You need to make housing arrangements on your own.

The DSS department is located near many apartments and townhomes.

The school is accessible via the Washington, D.C. Metro system. However, some students prefer to have a car. Free, on-site parking is available for students.

You’re expected to dress with a degree of professionalism. Please do not wear casual items like sweatpants, shorts or sandals to class.

The DSS student body is diverse with a mix of traditional students, mid-career students and active-duty military. In addition, DSS often hosts exchange students from around the world.

DSS determines transfer credit on a case-by-case basis.

For this evaluation, you must provide:

• An official transcript
• The course syllabus
• A paper or report you wrote for the course(s)

Other graduate institutions will use their own methods to determine how DSS courses will transfer to their institutions.

Yes, and an internship can give you credits toward your degree.

Explore more information about internships

Yes, summer classes are available. Many students choose to take an internship during the summer months.

In addition to the internship, several classes are generally offered in June and July.

No. The program focuses on U.S. national security policies and defense programs. Language skills are highly valued but not a requirement of the program.

Students interested in advancing their language skills will find many resources in the Washington, D.C. area.

For example, the Fairfax County public school system on occasion offers adult education language courses.