The Program on Countering Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC) focuses on the national security threats posed by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The course is designed for government officials and practitioners who are engaged in strategy and policy formulation. The desired outcome is the development of “whole of government” approaches to counter illicit trafficking and the associated activities of transnational organized crime.

The resident 24-day course on Countering Transnational Organized Crime is the foundational academic course of the CTOC Program. It focuses on transnational organized crime as a national security threat, and provides participants with a global view of how transnational criminal organizations actually threaten the national security of their countries.

The course examines the spectrum of illicit activity with an emphasis on counter-narcotics, counter-threat finance, corruption and state capture. The course seeks to attract senior level government officials from more than 100 countries around the world. The CTOC course teaches participants how to develop whole-of-government and civil society strategies and policies to address transnational organized crime. The course culminates with a capstone CTOC strategy development exercise that requires participants to work together to develop a CTOC strategy framework with policy recommendations that would serve as the basis for a national level strategy.

This course is taught by Marshall Center faculty, adjunct professors and guest lecturers from a variety of government entities and national law enforcement and security organizations. The course syllabus details how transnational organized crime has evolved into transnational enterprises that incorporate all forms of illicit activities. It details how the activities of transnational criminal organizations weaken state institutions, rule of law and good governance.

The program consists of lectures followed by small group seminar sessions. It is designed to provide participants with a 21st century view of how transnational organized crime represents a threat to national security.

• Instill a comprehensive understanding of the threat that transnational organized crime poses to governments and civil society
• Detail the global movement of illicit drugs and money and the human enablers who facilitate their movement
• Examine how deficiencies in rule of law, governance and institutions weaken national security institutions and serve to enable transnational organized crime
• Outline the goals and objectives of key international organizations aimed at combating the activities of transnational criminal organizations
• Examine best practices in countering transnational organized crime and determine opportunities to adapt and share successes