Defense Policy (ADP)

February 11 - March 01, 2013

Admissions - Syllabus - Scholarships

The course is conducted in Spanish. No interpretation will be available. Fluency in Spanish is required for reading theoretical and conceptual materials and for conducting group discussions. The ability for reading theoretical and conceptual materials in English is also required since many of the readings are in this language. Candidates who are not native speakers of Spanish will be interviewed telephonically prior to final selection.

» Overview

This is a 14-week course, with a three-week on-line phase, three-week resident phase, and an 8-week research and writing phase. The on-line learning system Blackboard and e-mail will be used during the on-line phase, during which it is expected that participants interact with their classmates and professors in asynchronous as well as synchronous sessions. Participants are required to read an average of 80 pages per week. In the resident phase the course is conducted in a combination of individual study, discussions of the literature, conferences and panels, case study and exercises.  It is expected that students read an average of 60 pages per day. After the in-residence phase, students will have eight weeks to complete their research and conclude the paper. During this phase, they may receive on-line generic orientation and advice regarding the paper but should not expect reviews, editing, or proof-readings.
At the end of the course each participant will receive an individual evaluation, with grade.  Those seeking a transcript from the National Defense University (NDU) will receive additional guidance to meet NDU requirements.

» Course Objectives

To deepen the participant’s understanding of theories and case-studies regarding strategy, defense policy, and defense analytical tools and methodologies, in order to enable the participant to more effectively engage in the process of defense policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. At the end of the course, students will be expected to analyze, identify, and understand the following: different current major schools of thought and approaches related to international relations theories; classic and contemporary schools of thought and approaches on strategy; best practices regarding schools of thought and approaches regarding defense policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation; best practices of defense analysis methodology and processes; current schools of thought and approaches of decision-making methodologies and processes; and, current schools of thought and approaches of outcome-based performance measures evaluation.

» Candidate Profile and Requirements

Candidates must be professionally engaged in defense or security issues in their countries, coming from the following institutions/activities:
• Career officials from the ministries/secretaries of Security and Defense.
  • • Officials from other ministries/secretaries, from the legislative and judicial branches that interact with security and defense, including planning and control and oversight institutions.
  • • NGO and think-tank staffs involved in security/defense matters, educators, academic researchers, journalists and members of political parties.
  • • Police and active duty military officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above;
  • • Doctoral students.

The course is taught at the graduate level; therefore, all candidates (civilian and military) must hold a university degree, related or equivalent work experience cannot be substituted for the degree requirement. There are no exceptions to this requirement. 

Fluency in Spanish is required for reading theoretical and conceptual materials and for conducting group discussions. The ability for reading theoretical and conceptual materials in English is also required since many of the readings are in this language.

Candidates must be able to commit to participating in the pre-course online phase as well as the on-line post-residence phase, including synchronous and asynchronous sessions with professors and classmates. Certificates will be issued only to participants who have fulfilled all academic requirements

Candidates must have access to the internet, preferably using a wide-band DSL or LAN (optimum) connection.

CHDS graduates (both civilian and military) from resident courses held at CHDS since 1998 will be given priority over other candidates.  A minimum of one year is required between courses.