Advanced International Studies Program

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The AIASP is a premier Professional Military Education (PME) offering a rigorous, interdisciplinary program of graduate education designed to produce elite international policy practitioners and strategic advisors. It is the flagship continuing education initiative of the School of Advanced International Policy (SAIP), bridging the gap between tactical execution and strategic statecraft for the Joint and Total Force.

The AIASP is an intensive 10-month program consisting of graduate-level studies in Advanced International Policy. The curriculum culminates in a high-impact Capstone Policy and Strategy Paper and a comprehensive synthesis of international security tradecraft.

Enrollment is highly selective and primarily composed of mid-career enlisted personnel in international affairs and military strategy, with dedicated seats for Joint-service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Marine Corps, as well as the Reserve Component (RC). To maintain academic rigor, the program utilizes a virtual seminar model with a low faculty-to-student ratio, ensuring that every practitioner receives unparalleled mentorship and intellectual partnership. Often described as the “Strategic Crucible,” AIASP seminars emphasize discussion-based learning, peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and applying theory to real-world global challenges.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The AIASP curriculum is designed to develop five core competencies crucial to the practice of international policy. Our graduates are theoretically grounded, analytically rigorous, and capable of navigating the complex machinery of global engagement.

  1. Theoretical Competency: Mastery of International Relations and Public Policy frameworks.

  2. Analytical Competency: Proficiency in Structured Analytic Techniques and bias mitigation.

  3. Institutional Competency: Deep understanding of U.S. government bureaucratic politics and resource allocation.

  4. Operational Competency: The ability to design and evaluate Security Cooperation and engagement strategies.

  5. Rhetorical Competency: Excellence in policy writing and executive-level briefing.

AISP GRADUATES ARE EXPECTED TO:

  • Demonstrate the ability to think critically about the relationship between military instruments and American statecraft.

  • Possess an advanced understanding of the interagency environment, foreign policy formulation, and regional security dynamics.

  • Articulate a robust comprehension of the legal authorities (Title 10/22) and funding streams that drive Security Cooperation.

  • Apply structured analytic techniques to produce "finished intelligence" that informs senior-level decision-making.

  • Advise commanders and policymakers responsibly using a reasoned synthesis of historical precedent, evidence, and logic.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SAIP 601: Public Policy Analysis and Governance (3 Credits)

An introduction to the theory and practice of public policy. Students examine policy development, implementation, and evaluation within the U.S. government, focusing on bureaucratic politics and resource allocation.

SAIP 602: American Statecraft and Strategic Thought (3 Credits)

A historical exploration of U.S. strategy and the instruments of national power (DIME). Students analyze the evolution of grand strategy from the early Republic through modern Great Power Competition.

SAIP 603: U.S. Foreign Policy and International Relations (3 Credits)

A deep dive into the formulation of foreign policy within the framework of IR theory. Emphasis is placed on alliance management, international organizations, and the "Limits of Power" in a multipolar world.

SAIP 604: Intelligence Analysis, Tradecraft, and Operations (3 Credits)

Focused on the DoD Intelligence Enterprise (DIE). This course prepares students for the Intelligence Fundamentals Professional Certification (IFPC), mastering the intelligence cycle and analytic standards.

SAIP 605: Security Cooperation and Partner Engagement (3 Credits)

A critical examination of building partner capacity (BPC) and institutional capacity building. Students learn to design AM&E frameworks and navigate the legalities of international security assistance.

SAIP 690: Capstone Policy and Strategy Paper (Requirement for Program Completion)

The culminating project of the AIASP. Students produce a 20–30 page research paper that addresses a real-world policy challenge, integrating knowledge from all five modules into actionable strategic recommendations.