The BA in International Security and Law is among the first programs in the country to combine the study of security with international law. The international security and law program:
- Teaches students to analyze enduring and new security challenges related to intelligence, cybersecurity, terrorism, migration, and environmental and technological change.
- Prepares students to apply these risk-assessment skills to be successful in positions in government, business, and international organizations.
Admissions
See Undergraduate Admission Policies for more information.
Policies
See AP.5 Undergraduate Policies for more information.
Students pursuing this degree must earn a minimum grade of 2.00 in each course applied to the major.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Major Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 103 | Introduction to American Government (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GOVT 132 | Introduction to International Politics (Mason Core) | 3 |
| GOVT 133 | Introduction to Comparative Politics (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Advanced Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following (with director approval): | 3 | |
| Grand Challenges to Human Security (Mason Core) | ||
or GLOA 101 | Introduction to Global Affairs (Mason Core) | |
| GOVT 342 | Diplomacy | 3 |
| GOVT 346 | American Security Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 347 | International Security | 3 |
| GLOA 387 | Human Security, Globalization, and Development | 3 |
| GOVT 441 | Grand Strategy | 3 |
| GOVT 443 | Law and Ethics of War | 3 |
| GOVT 446 | International Law and Organization | 3 |
| GOVT 490 | Synthesis Seminar (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 27 | |
Professional Skills Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 300 | Research Methods and Analysis (Mason Core) | 4 |
| GOVT 435 | Data Analysis for Comparative and International Politics | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Issues in Political Analysis (3 credits selected within areas of Game Theory, Textual Analysis, Discourse Analysis, Data Visualization, or as approved by program advisor) | ||
| Introduction to Computational and Data Sciences (Mason Core) | ||
| Modeling and Simulation I | ||
| Introduction to Social Network Analysis (Mason Core) | ||
| Scientific Information and Data Visualization | ||
| Scientific Data and Databases (Mason Core) | ||
| Scientific Data Mining | ||
| Introduction to Public Relations | ||
| Mass Communication and Public Policy | ||
| Argument and Public Policy (Mason Core) | ||
| Introductory Statistics II | ||
| Introduction to Exploratory Data Analysis | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Additional Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following: 1 | 12 | |
| Issues in Government and Politics 2 | ||
| Politics of Latin America | ||
| Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | ||
| Politics of East Asia | ||
| Politics of Europe | ||
| Politics of Eurasia | ||
| Central Asian Politics | ||
| Chinese Foreign Policy | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Islam and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Policy | ||
| Intermediate Environmental Policy | ||
| Issues in International Studies 2 | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| Revolution and International Politics | ||
| Ethics and International Politics | ||
| Justice and Reconciliation | ||
| Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (Mason Core) | ||
| Social Dynamics of Terrorism, Security, and Justice | ||
| Human Rights and Inequality | ||
| Introduction to Homeland Security | ||
| Human Rights and Justice | ||
| Introduction to the Intelligence Community | ||
| Counterintelligence | ||
| Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) | ||
| Theory and Politics of Terrorism | ||
| Global Health (Mason Core) | ||
| Sustainable World (Mason Core) | ||
| Introduction to Global Affairs (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global Affairs | ||
| Conflict, Trauma and Healing | ||
| Social Justice and Human Rights (Mason Core) | ||
| Human Trafficking and Smuggling | ||
| Ethics and the Cybersociety | ||
| Global Environmental Ethics (Mason Core) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
At least six of the twelve credits must be from GOVT courses.
- 2
Topics to include Law and Security, Technology and Security, National Security Budgeting, or at the program director's discretion.
- 3
Topics included at the program director's discretion.
Applied Skills Requirement
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Competence-based coursework | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Students must complete 6 credits of competence-based coursework taken from any combination of:
- Language courses beyond the intermediate level
- Internship courses
- Study abroad courses offered by Mason's Global Education Office
Electives
Any remaining credits may be completed with electives to bring the degree total to 120.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information.
- VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
- VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (lower-level) | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Information Technology and Computing | 3 | |
| Exploration Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Global Contexts | 3 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 7 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Just Societies (optional) 1 | ||
| Integration Requirements | ||
| Written Communication (upper-level) | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Mason Apex 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Courses marked with the Just Societies flag are available for students starting in Fall 2024. Students admitted prior to the Fall of 2025 are not required to take courses with a Just Societies flag but may wish to do so to increase their knowledge and skills in this important area. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely wiht their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.
- 2
Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.
- 3
Minimum 3 credits required.
Honors in the Major
Highly qualified students majoring in an undergraduate Schar School program may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Those students selected for participation in this program take a two-course sequence: GOVT 491 Honors Seminar (Mason Core) and GOVT 496 Directed Readings and Research. To graduate with honors in the major, students must complete these courses with a minimum GPA of 3.50.