Learn from academics who are also practicing statecraft at the only graduate program in national security, intelligence, and international affairs. You will be required to think critically about how you can have a positive impact on the course of our country and the rest of the world under the direction of seasoned professionals from the State Department, Department of Defense, National Security Council, CIA, FBI, and other services.
At the Institute, you have the chance to study with academics who have also practiced what they preach. The faculty includes:
Additionally, many classes include guest lecturers, many of whom are senior government officials who impart their practical knowledge. Our faculty offers small, seminar-style classes with a 6:1 student to faculty ratio so that students can gain first-hand experience with the material they are studying.
| Rank | University name | Acceptance rate Acc. rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Concordia College – New York | 95% |
| 1983 | Central Baptist College | 50% |
| 1984 | Institute of World Politics | |
| 1985 | Humphreys University – Stockton and Modesto Campuses | 100% |
What makes IWP different from other graduate schools of international affairs or national security?
- The curriculum is created to prepare students to be effective leaders in statecraft, national security, and foreign policy, especially in identifying, avoiding, managing, mitigating, and resolving international conflicts as well as effectively balancing policy goals and means.
- IWP teaches all forms of power, including those that are routinely ignored elsewhere, as well as how these forms of power are combined at the level of grand strategy. These include: leadership values, economic strategy, public diplomacy, opinion formation, military strategy, intelligence, counterintelligence, and military strategy.
- The curriculum places a strong emphasis on the strategic role that ideas, values, and belief systems play in international politics, as well as the significance of American founding S. foreign policy.
- IWP courses look at actual foreign power practices that go beyond accepted diplomatic norms.
- Nearly all IWP professors are scholar-practitioners with a strong background in the subjects they teach as well as academic credentials. Due to its location in Washington, the Institute has developed a broad network of senior officials from all branches of government who serve as guest lecturers for all of its courses.
- Recent college and university graduates as well as a variety of mid-career professionals from the government, the armed forces, industry, and foreign embassies and governments make up the Institute’s student body. Their various perspectives enhance the learning environment.
- The student-professor ratio is a low 6:1.
- The staff and faculty are approachable and readily available, which contributes to the personal nature of the educational experience here.
What are the backgrounds of IWP’s students?
We welcome students from other academic backgrounds who have a definite interest in pursuing a professional career in the fields of intelligence, national security, and foreign affairs. While many of our students have studied political science, international relations, or history at the undergraduate level, we also welcome students from these fields. Currently, the average age of IWP’s students is 26. 7.
How long will it take me to earn my Master’s degree?
The 52 credit hours required for the IWP Master’s degree—12 four-credit courses and two two-credit courses—can be easily completed in two academic years by full-time students who take three to four courses per semester. The Institute’s registration and tuition procedures make it very simple for many of our students to study part-time or alternate between full-time and part-time status.
How will studying at IWP benefit my career?
Students who excel in the classroom at IWP will quickly learn that their professors are frequently eager to help deserving students with career counseling, letters of recommendation and introductions, and even job placements. Additionally, IWP students are urged to collaborate with our Director of Career Services as soon as they graduate to write their resumes, plan their job search strategically, and learn other pointers for working in national security, intelligence, and international affairs.
What do IWP alumni do?
In a wide range of governmental agencies, congressional offices, private businesses, foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations, alumni of IWP have found significant employment or career advancements. These alumni have a competitive advantage thanks to their IWP education in obtaining significant positions in foreign affairs, defense, intelligence, and law enforcement organizations as well as in vital overseas military and diplomatic postings. Nearly every member of the US intelligence community, every branch of the US military, and 35 other governments around the world are all run by IWP alumni. For more information, see Graduate Employment Facts.
When and where do IWP classes meet?
Most IWP courses meet once a week during the fall and spring semesters, typically in the evening from 6:30 to 9:30 p m. Some classes are held early to mid afternoon. During the summer session, classes meet twice a week in the evening and the afternoon.
The Institute’s campus is located at 1521 16th Street NW in Washington, D.C., where IWP classes are held. C. and at the offices of Pragmatics, Inc. at 1761 Business Center Dr. , Reston, VA. Find more information about our facilities and get directions.
What are the benefits of going to IWP?
The primary campus of IWP is located in the city’s C. providing unrivaled access to the content and methodology of politics and policymaking Our professors teach our students; the majority of them are scholar-practitioners with advanced degrees in their fields as well as extensive governmental and nongovernmental experience. Small classes at IWP give students lots of chances to speak with professors directly.
Yes, on June 22, 2006, the institution received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, or MSCHE (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-662-5606). IWP is accredited through the 2021-2022 academic year. The Institute holds a license from the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt educational institution. Additionally, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has granted IWP operating authorization. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements has given IWP permission to take part.
Does IWP have a particular political ideology or religious viewpoint?
No, aside from philosophical values, The Institute of World Politics does not subscribe to or advocate any ideology, partisan political position, or affiliation with a particular religion. The Institute rejects restrictions on speech and defends unpopular information or unconventional viewpoints. We support a free and open environment to support the pursuit of truth, which is at the core of the academic enterprise.
Can I change between programs?
Admission to the degree program is not guaranteed for certificate students or those who are enrolled in continuing education now or in the past. Students wishing to apply to the M. A. program must follow the M. A. application guidelines that specify deadlines for submitting updated and additional materials Only courses with grades of B or higher and a maximum of five taken prior to receiving degree status may be applied toward the degree. Students who have completed coursework prior to January 2001 are exempt from this rule and may apply all of their B- or higher-graded courses toward their degree.
What is IWP’s application process? Is the process different for each program?
Any semester, students are welcome to submit an application for admission to any of IWP’s programs. In general, students should have at least a 3. 20 cumulative GPA at the undergraduate level, foundational coursework in history, political science, economics, humanities, and social sciences, or work experience in international relations, national security, or related fields If otherwise eligible, students who do not meet these minimum requirements are required to complete additional coursework beyond the degree requirements stated at the time of admission. A research and writing seminar may be required of applicants who demonstrate a writing deficit.
Can I transfer credit or life experience toward my program at IWP?
Only the Institute’s Master’s degree programs accept graduate-level credits from graduate institutions with the necessary accreditation. No courses from other institutions may be transferred by certificate program students. Normally, only two courses can transfer, but there may be exceptions that are taken into account on a case-by-case basis.
IWP does not currently grant life-experience credit.
Can students in an in-person M.A. program take an online course?
Online courses cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements for students who are present in person. Only students who are deployed or whose employers transfer them outside of the D will be exempt from this rule. C. area during the semester. These students can apply up to 8 online credits to their degree program by requesting permission from the dean of academics. Any such petition must:
- prior to a student enrolling in online classes, be sent in writing to the dean of academics; and
- Include proof of deployment or employer-mandated relocation.
Do I have to know any foreign languages to attend IWP?
No prior knowledge of a foreign language is necessary for enrollment; however, those pursuing a degree in Statecraft and International Affairs are required to show proficiency in a foreign language for their comprehensive exams. Foreign language study is strongly encouraged for students in other programs as well. Arabic, Chinese, and Russian are the three strategic languages that IWP currently offers at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Language proficiency exams are administered at IWP. Please get in touch with the Office of Student Affairs (studentaffairs@iwp) for more details. edu).
Is the GRE required for admission?
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. However, applicants may submit the results of the GRE if they believe their scores will help improve their application and scholarship chances. LSAT scores may also be submitted. IWP’s GRE institutional code is 5474. See the GRE website more information about the exam.
What are IWP’s TOEFL requirements?
Students whose first language is not English must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language, with the exception of those who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education that is accredited in teaching English as a foreign language or who are working as a foreign diplomat in an embassy. The minimum TOEFL score for those taking the paper-based exam is 600, and the minimum score for those taking the online exam is 95. Scores cannot be older than two years.
How long will it take for me to hear whether or not I was accepted?
Normally, the Admissions Committee will notify the applicant of its decision after receiving a fully completed application within two weeks. Prior to receiving an official letter or admissions package in the mail, students will first receive an email notification.
How long are IWP’s semesters?
The fall and spring semesters at the Institute last 14 weeks each (excluding breaks, holidays, etc.). ). Typically, the spring semester starts in mid-January and ends in early May, while the fall semester starts the day after Labor Day and ends in mid-December. The summer semester lasts eight weeks and starts in June and ends in late July.
Can I defer enrollment after I am admitted?
Students admitted into the M. A. and Certificate programs may postpone matriculation for up to a year after acceptance as long as a deferment request is submitted to the Chairman of the Admissions Committee and granted approval by him. The student must submit a reactivation letter and a $100 fee if more than a year has passed. A new application package must be submitted by the student if more than three years have passed.
Does IWP accept international students?
International students who have been accepted and require student visas are given information and assistance by the Institute (providing they are eligible). For information on visa requirements, international students should call the registrar’s office at 202-462-2101. You may also want to peruse the website for U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “International students in need of a Social Security card may apply online, but must complete the process in person at a nearby Social Security Administration office.” The Washington, D. C. office is located at 2100 M Street, NW, Washington, D. C. 20037. Phone: 800-772-1213.
How much does it cost to get an M.A. at IWP?
For the academic year 2022-2023, the price per credit hour is $1,300. (For a 52-credit-hour M. A. excluding other fees and scholarships, the overall cost would be $67,600. Additionally, there is a student services fee of $200 for the fall and spring semesters and $100 for the summer. Please see our Tuition and Fees page for current costs.
Is financial assistance available at IWP?
Yes, IWP participates in the federal Title IV lending program in addition to offering merit-based scholarships. Although only M. A. students are eligible for institutional scholarships, both M. A. students pursuing degrees and certificates (in approved programs) are qualified for federal student loans. IWP is also eligible to receive VA educational benefits. You can contact the Director of Financial Aid at financialaid@iwp for more information or visit the website’s financial aid section. edu).
What other fees does IWP charge?
There is a $200 per semester student services fee ($100 in the summer semester), as well as an M A. graduation fee of $250. Please refer to the Catalog, Student Handbook, and the Tuition and Fees page for additional fees.
Will IWP help me find an internship or career position?
Professors and senior staff at IWP have extensive connections in the fields of international politics, intelligence, and national security. They frequently volunteer to help deserving students with networking, letters of recommendation, and career counseling. IWP retains a Career Services Director, Mr. Derrick Dortch (ddortch@iwp. edu), who consults with students one-on-one to help them determine their career options Mr. Additionally, Dortch frequently hosts career seminars with recruiters from significant employers in the fields of national security and intelligence. Visit the Career Services page.
Does IWP have student housing?
The Institute does not offer student housing; it is up to the students to find their own housing. Finding accommodations that satisfy a variety of needs and preferences is not too difficult. Things to think about as you search for a place:
Several options are available in the vicinity of IWP. Neighborhoods in northwest D. C. Embassy Row, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Dupont Circle are all areas close to the Institute. Capitol Hill, Georgetown, and Foggy Bottom are also nearby. Finding a roommate will frequently increase your choices for affordable, spacious, and high-quality accommodations. To find rental apartments or townhomes to share, there are many online resources available. Visit our Housing page.
The primary mode of transportation in the District is the Metro rail and bus system. You might want to take into account how close a residence is to a bus or Metro station. Students in the District typically reside in the northwest and, on occasion, the northeast Some students also commute from Virginia or Maryland. If you reside in Virginia, you can use the Orange Line to travel to Farragut West; it is under a mile to IWP from there. From Arlington, the Metro ride is ten to fifteen minutes. To get to IWP if you reside in Maryland, take the Red Line to Dupont Circle and then walk about a mile. Remember that if you live in the District and own a car, your apartment complex might charge you for parking.
Does IWP offer health insurance to students?
Since the Institute lacks a student health center, all emergency cases are sent to the Ronald Reagan Institute for Emergency Medicine at the George Washington University Hospital, about a mile away. All full-time students in the District of Columbia must be immunized against poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus by the time they turn 26. Students may not register for classes until compliance is documented. Each new student will receive proof of immunization forms via mail following acceptance. The student’s doctor or nearby Health Department must complete the forms.
Is there a dress code at IWP?
According to the Institute’s dress code, you must wear business-casual clothing. This promotes a healthy learning environment and a setting for respectful communication.
Is parking available for students at IWP?
At IWP’s main campus in Washington, D. C. , free on-street parking is available after 6:30 p. m. At IWP’s Reston campus, students have access to free parking. See maps and additional information.
IWP: Preparation for a Career in Intelligence and Statecraft
FAQ
Is the Institute of World Politics legit?
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has granted the Institute of World Politics accreditation. The school offers five Master of Arts degrees, 17 graduate certificates, and a Doctor of Statecraft and National Security program.
Is IWP accredited?
IWP has received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, or MSCHE, which is located at 3624 Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 and can be reached at 215-662-5606, on June 22, 2006. IWP is accredited through the 2021-2022 academic year.