University of Mary Washington

What you'll study

This programme blends core international relations theory with focused coursework on national security, intelligence, defence policy and related methodological skills. Core topics typically include:

• Foundations of International Relations: theories of international politics, history of the international system, state and non‑state actors.
• Security Studies and National Security Policy: contemporary security challenges, defence strategy, counterterrorism, asymmetric warfare and policy formulation.
• Intelligence and Information Analysis: intelligence cycle, analytic tradecraft, open‑source intelligence, and the role of intelligence in policymaking.
• Comparative and Regional Politics: case studies of regions such as Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America to understand regional dynamics and conflict drivers.
• International Law and Institutions: law of armed conflict, human rights, international organisations and diplomacy.
• Research Methods and Quantitative Skills: social science research design, data analysis, statistics and policy evaluation techniques applied to international problems.
• Foreign Language and Area Studies: language study and culture courses to build communicative competence and area expertise.
• Capstone and Experiential Learning: senior seminar or capstone project analysing a real‑world security or foreign policy issue; internships with government, NGOs, think tanks or private sector organisations.

Students may also choose electives in cybersecurity, public policy, economics, environmental security, or conflict resolution to tailor the degree toward particular career paths.

Entry requirements

Admission to the University of Mary Washington is competitive and based on a holistic review of each applicant. For this programme applicants should demonstrate strong preparation in liberal arts subjects; typical supporting materials include:

• Official secondary school transcripts showing a consistent academic record across English, social studies and mathematics.
• A personal statement or essay that indicates interest in international affairs, security issues, and how the applicant hopes to pursue them.
• Letters of recommendation (often from teachers or counsellors) that speak to academic ability and readiness for a rigorous undergraduate programme.
• Evidence of foreign language study is advantageous; prior coursework in history, government or economics is also helpful.
• Standardised tests may be optional; applicants should consult the admissions office about current testing policies.

Transfer students will typically need to provide college transcripts and descriptions of completed coursework to evaluate transfer credit and readiness for upper‑level major courses.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers that require analytical thinking, policy knowledge and communication skills. Common paths include:

• Public sector roles in foreign service, defence and homeland security agencies, and intelligence services.
• Policy analysis and research positions at think tanks, public‑policy organisations and international institutions.
• Work with non‑governmental organisations and international development agencies on humanitarian, human rights and peacebuilding initiatives.
• Private sector careers in security consulting, risk analysis, international business compliance and corporate intelligence.
• Journalism, legal careers or graduate study in international relations, public policy, security studies or law.

Internships, practicum placements and the capstone project help build professional networks and practical experience valued by employers and graduate programmes.

Why study at University of Mary Washington

The University of Mary Washington offers this programme within a liberal‑arts environment that emphasises small class sizes, close faculty mentorship and undergraduate research opportunities. Its location provides convenient access to internship and networking opportunities in Washington, D.C., and nearby federal and regional organisations. Students benefit from an interdisciplinary faculty with expertise in international affairs and security, study abroad options to build language and area skills, and career services that support placements in government, NGOs and the private sector.