Upcoming Sessions
  • On Campus
    Session Date
    -
    Application Deadline
    Program Fee
    $10,900
    Faculty Chair
    Program Director

    Program Fee: The program fee includes tuition, housing, curricular materials and most meals.
    Executive Certificate: This program is a core program in the Public Leadership and Public Policy concentrations. This program can also be used as a third program for any concentration in the Executive Certificate series.
    Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs): This program aligns with one or more Executive Core Qualifications.

Program Overview

In today’s interconnected global environment, key policy decisions cannot be made in a vacuum. It is vital that senior leaders at the highest levels of the national and international security communities understand the broader global context in which they are making those decisions.

Senior Executives in National and International Security, an intensive one-week program, provides that essential global perspective. Under the direction of expert Harvard Kennedy School faculty and other seasoned practitioners, you will deepen your understanding of the world’s most pressing security challenges. You will also test your evaluation and decision-making skills.

Besides conducting a detailed examination of global security challenges, you will analyze international security policies with regional experts and interact with world-class faculty and leading experts in international affairs. In addition, you will build a lasting network comprised of security leaders from more than 20 countries. Past participants have risen to some the highest positions in the field, including Chairman, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff; Chiefs of Staff in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force; and key ministry positions and numerous ambassadorships around the world.
 

CURRICULUM

In the Senior Executives in National and International Security, you will join other global senior security officials for a range of interactions, from traditional academic learning activities to more intimate discussions and discourse. This ensures a well-rounded, hands-on educational experience.

Faculty Chair Eric Rosenbach leads a program of formal classes, discussion groups, interactive seminars, exercises, guest speakers, and informal conversations with faculty, colleagues, classmates, and staff.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

The Senior Executives in National and International Security curriculum will focus on:

  • China: The Geopolitical Reality of a Rising Power
  • The Global Economy
  • Regional security issues, including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
  • Civilian–military relations
  • Technology: Cyber, AI, space, and more
  • Ethics, morality, and professional responsibility
  • National security and the media

Application Information

Access the draft on campus program schedule.

“Senior Executives in National and International Security enabled me to meet people from various countries, as well as from different U.S. and international institutions, that provided new perspectives to my security concerns.”

Witold Sobkow, former Polish Ambassador

Hear from Professor Eric Rosenbach

Faculty Chair Eric Rosenbach discusses key reasons to attend the Senior Executives in National and International Security executive program.

Faculty & Research

Eric Rosenbach Photo

Eric Rosenbach

Appointment
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

HKS shield.

Meg Rithmire


Meghan O'Sullivan Photo

Meghan O'Sullivan

Appointment
Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs

John Holdren Photo

John Holdren

Appointment
Teresa and John Heinz Research Professor of Environmental Policy
617-851-8421
Jason Furman Photo

Jason Furman

Appointment
Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy

David E. Sanger

David E. Sanger

Appointment
Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy and Chief Washington Correspondent at The New York Times

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Frances Ulmer

Appointment

Juliette Kayyem Photo

Juliette Kayyem

Appointment
Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security
617-494-7325