Welcome to the Hamilton School’s Graduate Program in War, Statecraft and Strategy (WSS). This multidisciplinary graduate program, led by Hamilton School faculty, equips students to address the most important and pressing international challenges facing the world today.
Our students will learn to grapple with diplomatic, military, strategic, political, economic, technological, social, and other international affairs not in isolation, but as multi-faceted and intersecting concerns. Along the way, students will gain both practical and theoretical understanding of intelligence, diplomacy, international relations, military strategy, defense policy, homeland security, conflict resolution, policy formulation, and power projection.
The MA degree is a two-year, full-time, in-residence program of coursework with an option to conduct research and write an MA thesis.
The PhD program is designed to be completed within five years, with two years of coursework in Gainesville and three years devoted to research and writing the dissertation.
The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications on January 9, 2026.
The WSS graduate program features a blend of required and elective coursework. Here are some of the courses we plan to offer beginning in Fall 2026:
You will have the opportunity to develop specialized expertise across four fields: 1) War, 2) Statecraft & Strategy, 3) Theory & Structure, 4) Regional Geographic Area. PhD students will complete comprehensive exams in two of these four fields. The dissertation is an opportunity for PhD students to deepen their expertise even further.
Graduates will be equipped to enter high demand careers in national security, civil and foreign service, policy analysis, consulting, law, media, and non-governmental organizations.
PhD graduates will also be well positioned to seek academic jobs at the university level in history, political science, security studies, and policy studies.
PhD students must demonstrate proficiency in a relevant foreign language no later than the start of their third year in the program. There is no language requirement for terminal MA students.
No. Test scores are not required to apply for admission.
Complete applications should include undergraduate transcripts, a CV/resume, a writing sample, a statement of purpose, and two letters of reference.
Yes. The Hamilton School has secured funds to support new graduate students. Because dedicated funds are limited, we encourage applicants to pursue external sources of funding as well.
Click here to apply.
Complete applications should include undergraduate transcripts, a CV/resume, a writing sample, a statement of purpose, and two letters of reference.
