The Governance and Strategy for Security and Defense is a four-week course (two weeks distance-learning and two weeks in-residence) designed to stimulate critical thinking on the requirements to produce effective, efficient, and transparent management of security and defense establishments in a democratic environment. The course focuses on four pillars important for defense and security policy making: policy writing, strategic planning, institutional reform and resource management. The course reinforces US Government and Department of Defense efforts in security governance and institutional capacity building.
Consistent with the broader goal of improving security and defense governance within a democratic framework, GSSD aims to:
All participants must successfully complete a course writing assignment that may take the form of an essay, policy paper, action plan or similar.
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Candidates must be professionally engaged in defense or security issues in their countries, coming from the following institutions/activities:
Perry Center graduates are required to wait a minimum of 18 months between attending in-residence courses and are barred from attending the same course more than once. The Washington Security and Defense Seminar (WSDS) is exempt from both of these limitations.
In accordance with Department of Defense policy, citizens of “high income” countries (as established by the World Bank) are not eligible for scholarships. As of 01 July 2024, this restriction applies to the following Western Hemisphere nations and territories:
Citizens of these countries may still apply to courses, but in a fully self-funded status. Self-funded candidates must meet all eligibility standards and comply with all application requirements, including application deadlines, as well as being able to cover the expenses of their own travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals. US citizens cannot (by law) receive scholarships, but may also apply to attend in a self-funded status. US citizens and other self-funded candidates should contact the Registrar’s Office for additional guidance.
Candidates must possess a university degree or, in cases where a candidate does not hold a degree, equivalent practical experience. Military and police personnel must have completed a command and staff course or equivalent. Exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
This course is conducted in Spanish. Non-native speakers must demonstrate the ability to speak and write in Spanish at a bilingual level prior to acceptance and enrollment.
