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Upcoming Sessions
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On Campus
Session Date-Application DeadlineProgram Fee$11,500Faculty ChairProgram 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
Advance your leadership skills with Harvard Kennedy School's Senior Executives in National and International Security program. This intensive one-week course is designed for senior leaders in the national and international security sectors, providing a global perspective on the most pressing security challenges.
The Senior Executives in National and International Security program at Harvard Kennedy School offers a comprehensive global perspective on critical security issues. This one-week course, led by expert faculty, equips senior leaders with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex security challenges in today's interconnected world. Engage with top practitioners, analyze international security policies, and build a lasting network of security leaders from over 20 countries.
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.
The curriculum of the Senior Executives in National and International Security program includes a mix of formal classes, discussion groups, interactive seminars, and exercises. Key topics covered include:
- 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
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The Senior Executives in National and International Security program aims to:
- Enhance understanding of geopolitical and economic realities
- Analyze regional security issues with a focus on Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
- Improve knowledge of civilian-military relations
- Explore the impact of emerging technologies (cyber, AI, space) on security
- Technology: Cyber, AI, space, and more
- Discuss ethics, morality, and professional responsibility in security roles
- Examine the relationship between national security and the media
Application Information
Senior Executives in National and International Security is designed for senior executive service level civilian and general officer level military leaders from the United States and abroad. Typically, participants are flag and general officers from international armed forces, or senior executive service civilian leaders in government, international organizations, and defense industries with more than 20 years of experience in international affairs.
Recommended applicants include:
- Generals and admirals
- Ambassadors, consuls general, deputy heads of mission
- Members of royal families
- Senior intelligence officers
- Chief operations/executive/security officers
- Ministers of Defense, Interior, Internal Affairs
- Members of Congress/Parliament
- Elected, appointed, and senior career officials in the Senior Executive Service
- Chiefs of staff
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
Faculty Chair Eric Rosenbach discusses key reasons to attend the Senior Executives in National and International Security executive program.
Faculty & Research
Eric Rosenbach
Eric Rosenbach
Appointment
Senior Lecturer in Public Policy
Mailing Address 1
Harvard Kennedy School
Mailing Address 2
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Mailbox
53
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Zip
02138
Meghan O'Sullivan
Meghan O'Sullivan
Appointment
Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs
Mailing Address 1
Harvard Kennedy School
Mailing Address 2
79 John F. Kennedy Street
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Zip
02138
John Holdren
John Holdren
Appointment
Teresa and John Heinz Research Professor of Environmental Policy
Mailing Address 1
Harvard Kennedy School
Mailing Address 2
79 John F. Kennedy Street
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Zip
02138
Jason Furman
Jason Furman
Appointment
Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy
Mailing Address 1
Harvard Kennedy School
Mailing Address 2
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Mailbox
84
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Zip
02138
David Sanger
David Sanger
Appointment
Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy
Mailing Address 1
Harvard Kennedy School
Mailing Address 2
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Mailbox
54
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Zip
02138
Juliette Kayyem
Juliette Kayyem
Appointment
Belfer Senior Lecturer in International Security
Mailing Address 1
Harvard Kennedy School
Mailing Address 2
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Mailbox
53
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Zip
02138
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