Master of Arts in Defense Policy

Non-Discrimination Statement

Norwich University, in compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.

Eligibility Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. institution, or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by a NACES approved agency. 
• If English is not your first language, proof of English language proficiency is required. This can be demonstrated in one of three ways:
  • TOEFL - a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test) is required.*
  • IELTS – a minimum composite score of 6.5 is required.*
  • The applicant holds a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a college/university/institution in which the primary language of instruction was English.

Please Note:  All eligibility requirements are expected to be met unless noted in specific articulation agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Application Process

We encourage you to contact an admissions advisor (see below) if you need help at any stage of the application process. You will be required to submit the following items:

• Application form
• Official transcript of your undergraduate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university, mailed to the address below.
• Proof of English language proficiency if applicable (TOEFL)

Transcript Links

• Army/Navy/Marine/Coast Guard Joint Services Transcript
  • Transcript Requests
• Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcript Requests
  • Air Force Transcript Requests

Mail transcripts to:
Norwich University
College of Graduate and Continuing Studies
P.O. Box 367
Northfield, VT 05663

For electronic delivery, we accept transcripts delivered from Parchment, National Clearing House, and other services if sent to cgcsamt@norwich.edu via password protection.

To contact an admissions advisor:

Call: 1-866-684-7237
Email: learn@norwich.edu

Our M.A. in Defense Policy is one of a few master's-level programs in the country and is designed to prepare students for advisory and leadership roles throughout the defense industry. Some of the key courses are:

NT 510 -- Strategy and Policy
Students are required to think strategically and analytically in preparation for the course material that follows and positions of strategic leadership.  The course sharpens students' ability to assess a variety of situations and compare alternative courses of action to achieve overall national political purposes.  Students are asked to think in a disciplined, critical, and original manner about the international environment and a range of potential strategies involving joint, interagency, and multinational partners.  Strategy has been viewed traditionally as the relationship between war's purpose and the means to achieve a political end.  Strategy provides a theory of victory that explains how a state can translate the employment of the specific means of national power into the achievement of overall national objectives.

IR 520 -- American Foreign Policy
Encompasses the period from the late 19th century to the present and reviews critical cases in the history of US foreign relations.  Students examine US government actions in international affairs through various methodological contexts in foreign policy development and implementation.  Explanations are drawn from history, international relations theory, and area studies.  Special emphasis is placed on post-Cold War developments in America's foreign relations, especially focusing on the use of force, application of coercive diplomacy and the impact of global issues on US foreign policy.

Norwich’s online master’s courses are delivered over 11 weeks at a time, and the typical program completion time is 18 months.

To view additional program details such as course offerings, requirements, and curriculum maps for the Defense Policy program, visit the Norwich University Course Catalog using this link.

Online Master's

When applying for a graduate program at Norwich University, there are two essential factors to consider: what does it cost, and how can you pay for it? There are many ways to get financial assistance and several financial strategies that can help you achieve your academic and professional goals. We are here to help you identify and pursue the options that are best for you.

Tuition at a Glance

• Credit Hours: 36
• Cost Per Credit Hour: $698; $550 (military; veteran; first responder) 

Financial Aid Resources

• Paying for your Education

2024-25 Tuition and Fee Schedule