How to Get in

Students are eligible to declare the National Securities Studies certificate at any time during their studies. Students who intend to declare the certificate must schedule an appointment with a Political Science undergraduate academic advisor. See the contact information box for details.

Students may not declare both the Political Science certificate and the National Security Studies certificate.

Requirements 

Students must complete at least 15 credits for the National Security Studies certificate. Students must complete at least one course from each of the Political Science (POLI SCI), History (HISTORY), and ROTC (A F AERO, MIL SCI, or NAV SCI) subjects.  

Residence and Quality of Work

• Minimum 2.000 GPA in all certificate courses.
• At least 11 certificate credits must be completed in residence.

Certificate Completion Requirement

This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze the institutions, actors, and processes that shape U.S. national security policy, including the roles of the executive branch, Congress, the military, and intelligence agencies.
2. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of civil-military relations, including the constitutional foundations, tensions, and collaborative dynamics between military institutions and civilian political leaders.
3. Evaluate contemporary and emerging security threats, such as terrorism, cyber warfare, great power competition, and asymmetric conflict, through the lens of political decision-making and strategic planning.
4. Apply theories and practices of conflict resolution and diplomacy to historical and contemporary case studies in international security, peacebuilding, and crisis negotiation.
5. Critically assess the ethical and philosophical dimensions of leadership, military engagement, and national defense, including debates over just war theory, humanitarian intervention, and the use of force.
6. Integrate interdisciplinary knowledge from political science, international relations, military studies, and related fields to formulate policy-relevant insights and communicate them effectively in both written and oral formats.

Advising and Careers

Study Abroad

Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu

As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.

SuccessWorks

SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.

Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.

• What you can do with your major  (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
• Make a career advising appointment
• Learn about internships and internship funding
• Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students