University of Texas expands national security programs

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is expanding its national security education and research capabilities with the launch of new degree programs and the recruitment of more than 20 faculty members and national security experts, strengthening its position as one of the nation’s leading institutions in the field.

The university-wide investment spans multiple colleges and research centres, creating new pathways for students pursuing careers in public service, diplomacy, intelligence, defense and international affairs.

Among the new academic offerings is a Master of National Security, welcoming its first cohort this fall through the LBJ School of Public Affairs, alongside a new Bachelor of Arts in Strategy and Statecraft, developed by the Clements Center for National Security and the School of Civic Leadership, with student enrolment beginning in 2027.

Together, the programs are designed to prepare students for leadership roles in government, defense, foreign policy and national security.

“UT Austin has long been one of the premier universities for studying national security, and we are proud to continue growing our ranks of world-class scholars and practitioners committed to strengthening our work and expertise in this critical field,” said William Inboden, Executive Vice President and Provost.

The university’s latest expansion includes scholars and practitioners from institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. State Department, RAND Corporation and the Naval War College. Their expertise spans intelligence, military strategy, diplomacy, international relations, cybersecurity, U.S.-China relations and defense policy.

The initiative builds on UT Austin’s existing strengths in national security through the Clements Center for National Security, Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law, LBJ School of Public Affairs, Applied Research Laboratories, and departments across the university.

In addition to classroom learning, students will have access to internships, policy training, research opportunities and experiential learning, including visits to military installations and historical sites.

Founded in 1883, UT Austin is one of the largest public research universities in the United States, enrolling more than 53,000 students and offering over 170 undergraduate and 230 graduate degree programs. The university is consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities and is widely recognised for its research in engineering, computer science, business, public affairs and national security.

University leaders say the expanded faculty and new academic programs will help prepare the next generation of national security professionals while reinforcing UT Austin’s growing role as a national hub for security studies, defense research and public service education.