Before you apply
Important Notice for International Applicants
Effective immediately (April 1, 2024), the Missouri State University School of Defense
and Strategic Studies programs are not eligible for and will NOT be approved for F-1
student applications.
The School of Defense and Strategic Studies programs will continue to accept applications
from international students to participate in online asynchronous and virtual ZOOM
and/or MS Teams evening classes from their home countries.
Notice for Air Force and Fort Leonard Wood Applicants
If you're in one of the following programs:
- Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT APNE)
- Ft. Leonard Wood
Please contact us before applying.
Get started
Apply to this program through a central application: GradCAS. Review the sections
below before you begin.
When should you apply?
Decide the semester you want to start and apply by one of the following dates:
Application deadlines
| Semester |
Date |
| Fall |
August 1 |
| Spring |
December 1 |
| Summer |
May 1 |
Admission is competitive.
Review MSU academic calendar
Master of Science, Defense and Strategic Studies
This program operates in Fairfax, Virginia, and is certified by the State Council
of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
Master of Science, Defense and Strategic Studies
Department of Defense and Strategic Studies
9302 Lee Hwy, Suite 760, Phone 703-218-3565
dss1@missouristate.edu
Program description
The primary objective of the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies program is
to provide professional, graduate level academic education and training for students
planning careers in the fields of national security policy, international security
affairs, defense analysis, arms control, and education. In essence, this is a graduate
international studies program with emphasis on security problems, strategic interests,
and U.S. policy and policy-making. It is a program in public affairs.
Option areas
The Defense and Strategic Studies program offers two options:
- Defense and Strategic Studies/General (DSS/General)
- Defense and Strategic Studies/Weapons of Mass Destruction Studies (DSS/WMD)
Retention requirements
To remain in the program, the student must maintain, by the completion of the second
semester, a minimum GPA of 3.00 in DSS courses and in all graduate work, and make
satisfactory progress toward the MS degree.
Entrance requirements
Admission to the program requires a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours, a satisfactory
Graduate Record Examination score (e.g., 290 or higher combined score on the verbal
and quantitative), and letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty or professionals
acquainted with the students academic work or research and analytical skills. A relatively
low GRE score may be compensated by an impressive undergraduate GPA and strong letters
of recommendation.
Demonstrated graduate-level performance through a minimum of nine hours may compensate
for GRE or undergraduate GPA weaknesses.
Degree requirements (36 hours)
Core Requirements. All students will take two core courses: Seminar on Nuclear Strategy and Arms Control,
DSS 601 (3); and Seminar on International Security Affairs, DSS 632 (3). A minimum of 30 additional seminar hours would be selected by the student from
the other DSS courses offered.
For the DSS/General option, the full array of elective courses is available.
For the DSS/WMD option, electives from the DSS course offerings that focus on WMD
topics are required. See Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Graduate Certificate.
Research. A student will be required to complete either the Thesis option or the Non-thesis
option.
- Thesis Option. Completion of a satisfactory thesis in the candidate's discipline. Thesis credit
shall be no more than 3 semester hours of the minimum 36 hours required for a master's
degree. If the student fails to complete the thesis during the semester in which they
are first enrolled in DSS 799, they must enroll in DSS 794, Active in Research, each semester until the thesis is finished.
For the DSS/WMD option, the thesis topic must focus on an approved WMD subject.
- Non-Thesis Option. A comprehensive examination covering the DSS core field of study must be passed,
and a research paper is required as part of the non-thesis exam. Students must be
registered for a course in order to complete the non-thesis oral exam. DSS 794 or DSS 796 is recommended.
For the DSS/WMD option, the non-thesis research paper and oral exam must focus on
an approved WMD subject.
Additional admission consideration information
The GRE is no longer required for admission consideration.
All of the following items are needed to complete your application package prior to
it being forwarded to the DSS Admissions Committee for review:
-
A bachelor's degree transcript from a college or university accredited by agencies
recognized by Missouri State University. An unofficial transcript may be uploaded
for admission consideration purposes. Note, however, that submission of an official
transcript to MSU Graduate Admissions will be required prior to enrolling for a second
semester.
-
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate
academic coursework.
-
Your resume.
-
Personal statement outlining why you wish to pursue a DSS degree. This statement
will also be viewed as a writing sample, should be addressed to the DSS Admissions
Commitee and signed by you.
-
Two (2) letters of recommendation from faculty, professionals acquainted with the
applicant’s academic work, research and/or analytical skills, or current/former supervisor(s).
The letters must be signed by the respective recommender.
You’ve applied. What happens next?
Our faculty reviews your application and decides whether to admit you.
You’ll usually learn your admission status within one month after you’ve applied.
Additional admission consideration information
The GRE is no longer required for admission consideration.
All of the following items are needed to complete your application package prior to
it being forwarded to the DSS Admissions Committee for review:
- A bachelor's degree transcript from a college or university accredited by agencies
recognized by Missouri State University. An unofficial transcript may be uploaded
for admission consideration purposes. Note, however, that submission of an official
transcript to MSU Graduate Admissions will be required prior to enrolling for a second
semester.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate
academic coursework.
- Your resume.
- Personal statement outlining why you wish to pursue a DSS degree. This statement
will also be viewed as a writing sample, should be addressed to the DSS Admissions
Committee and signed by you.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from faculty, professionals acquainted with the
applicant’s academic work, research and/or analytical skills, or current/former supervisor(s).
The letters must be signed by the respective recommender.
International applicants
Apply through GradCAS.
Effective immediately (April 1, 2024), the Missouri State University School of Defense
and Strategic Studies programs are not eligible for and will NOT be approved for F-1
student applications. The School of Defense and Strategic Studies programs will continue
to accept applications from international students to participate in online asynchronous
and virtual ZOOM and/or MS Teams evening classes from their home countries.
Contact the Office of International Services if you have questions.
