Education Programs

One Year Master's Program

Global and National Security Institute
Master of Arts in International Affairs (1-Year Program)
Inaugural Cohort, Fall of 2025

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GNSI is launching a 1-year Master of Arts in International Affairs, as an alternative to the existing 2-year master’s program already offered at USF through the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies (SIGS). The GNSI program will be a condensed, fast-paced alternative that will target officers from all branches of the U.S. military selected for in-residence professional military education (PME). 

GNSI is launching the 1-year Master of Arts in International Affairs program to become an academic center of excellence for professional military education. The program focuses on the development of leadership, warfighting, and staff operations abilities of the nation’s military forces through resident and nonresident learning programs. Graduates are prepared to perform with increased effectiveness in service, joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational environments at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war, across the range of military operations.

The GNSI 1-Year MA program will elevate existing candidates by adding needed skills for ongoing development for career paths in national security, diplomacy, intelligence, international development, and other areas of international affairs.

Macdill afb, centcom, socom

GNSI is well-situated to leverage the existing academic excellence of the University of South Florida—itself located in a dynamic, growing metropolitan area—to create a hub of strategic dialogue and action unique to the State University System and the nation. We will build upon USF’s extensive R&D assets and deep relationship with USCENTCOM and USSOCOM at MacDill Air Force Base, as well as existing partnerships with the Florida Institute for Cyber Security (Cyber Florida) and the Institute for Applied Engineering, to achieve prominence in global and national security activities. 

CURRICULUM

The GNSI 1-Year MA program develops specialized knowledge and skills through a track focused on the Great Power (Strategic Competition). USF is home to the Great Power Competition Conference series, one of the world's premier ongoing conferences dedicated to the Great Power Competition.

All students take two core seminars, a methods course, three classes within their selected concentration, and two elective courses. Students have the option of writing a thesis as a capstone or they can pursue a coursework option to complete their degree. 

This 30-credit hour professional degree program provides an interdisciplinary academic and practical preparation in geopolitics, international security, international economics, critical thinking skills, and the analytic writing and briefing skills necessary for careers in national service and the private sector. 

requirements

 

fall 2025 cohort

The first cohort for the GNSI 1-Year MA will be in the Fall of 2025. To apply, please visit the USF Office of Admission website.

For more information or questions, please contact:

Jim Cardoso
GNSI Senior Director
email: cardosoj@usf.edu
phone (cell): 505-702-3483

 

Dr. Tad Schnaufer II
GNSI Strategy and Research Manager
email: tschnaufer@usf.edu
phone: 813-396-0021

 

David Oakley, PhD
GNSI Academic Director
email: davidpoakley@usf.edu
phone: 813-974-0124