The Marshall Center, a US-German security and defense educational institution, offers its flagship Program in Advanced Security Studies (PASS) three times annually. PASS offers a rigorous, intellectually stimulating, 12-week course for civilian government officials, military officers, and government academics. The program provides graduate-level study in security policy, defense affairs, international relations and related topics.
The Academic Program
The PASS consists of core studies and electives, which include assigned readings, seminar discussions, debates, panels and role-playing exercises, as well as field studies. Students must be proficient in one of the three languages in which the program is taught: English, German or Russian.
During the first six weeks, participants take part in a core curriculum that builds a common understanding of critical aspects of global security. Core activities include plenary lectures and small seminar groups led by Marshall Center resident faculty. Each carefully crafted seminar brings together participants from a wide variety of countries and professional backgrounds.
Based on the level of experience participants bring to the program, they are placed in either the Executive Program in Advanced Security Studies (EPASS) or the Leaders Program in Advanced Security Studies (LPASS). The EPASS is designed for those who serve as lieutenant colonels, colonels, senior diplomats, parliamentary staffers or equivalent ranks in internal, national security or border control agencies. The LPASS provides a forum for lieutenants, captains, and majors, their civilian counterparts in government security agencies and junior diplomats.
After participants complete the core studies, they meet in elective seminars relevant to their professional development. Each chooses three electives from a menu of more than 35 electives.
Core Study Topics:
Global Security - Trends and Perspectives: theories of international and security relations; US and German
international security policy; global challenges.
Armed Conflict and Security: the nature of armed conflict; terrorism; weapons of mass destruction; stability operations.
Threats to State Stability: the impact of various “soft security” threats on national and international security; energy issues; crime and corruption; the role of democracy in facilitating security.
International Security Cooperation: the 21st century security threats that confront the UN, NATO and EU.
International Norms: human rights and international law.
National Security Decision Making: developing national security strategy; international and domestic influences on strategy formulation; defense economics.
Sample Elective Courses:
Negotiations: Addressing Barriers to Conflict Resolution
International Terrorism and its Security Implications for Democratic States
International Law and Armed Conflict
Defense Transformation: The Military Response to the Information Age
Homeland Security: Securing the State against Terrorism
The European Union and International Security
NATO: A Strategic and Operational Overview
Russia and its Neighbors
Central Asian Security
South Caucasus Security
Security of Small and Medium States
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missile Defense
Field Study
A field study session complements core classroom activities by allowing participants to examine national or international security institutions and speak with senior decision-makers. Destinations vary from course to course and have included Washington, Berlin, Brussels, and Geneva.
Optional Courses
PASS students may participate in English and German language courses and computer skills classes, all based on individual ability.
Independent Research
Qualified students may undertake an independent research project in place of one elective.
Director’s Distinguished Speaker Program
During each PASS, the Marshall Center director invites distinguished security practitioners to speak to the class. Past speakers have included ministers of defense and foreign affairs, presidents, prime ministers and chiefs of defense staff.
Applications
For application and deadline information, contact the Marshall Center Registrar at registrar@marshallcenter.org, your Ministry point of contact, or the US or German Embassy in your capital city.
