MainInternational Dual Degree M.A. Program “Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation”
International Dual Degree M.A. Program “Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation”
First International M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies
The Dual Degree M.A. Program is a concentrate for powerful professional growth in the field of nonproliferation and global security. PIR Center, MGIMO University and MIIS give it in undiluted form so you have time to get a maximum in two years.
Adlan R. Margoev
Research Fellow at the Institute for International Studies at MGIMO University, graduate of the 1st cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program “Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation” (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center), Russia
About the program
The International Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation is an innovative high-level educational product, which is implemented in cooperation with three reputable scientific and educational centers of Russia and the USA: MGIMO University, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), California, USA, and PIR Center.
Agreements to launch a joint master`s program were reached in 2015. At the same time, the co-founders of the program — MGIMO University, MIIS and PIR Center — signed the relevant documents on its establishment. In 2016, the first enrollment of students took place. Within six cohorts from 2016 to 2022 more than 40 students from around the world have become participants of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program. In addition to Russian and American students, representatives of Canada, China, Ireland, Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea studied in the program. Now students from Russia, the USA, Italy and France are studying in the program.
A unique feature of the program is the combination of experience, knowledge, talent and efforts of the world’s leading experts in the field of nonproliferation and global security. Training is conducted in English. Foreign students can study Russian. Graduates of the master’s program receive diplomas from two universities — MGIMO University and Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), California, USA. Upon successful completion of the program, they are awarded a master’s degree in International Relations at MGIMO University and in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies at MIIS.
Program Structure
The International Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies lasts two years. The first semester for students is held in Moscow on the basis of MGIMO University and PIR Center. Master`s students spend the second and third semesters at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), California, USA. During the fourth semester, they undergo internships in international organizations such as the IAEA, UNODA, CTBTO, OPCW, government departments, leading expert centers and commercial structures in Russia, the USA and other countries, and also complete their master’s theses.
My semester in Russia was both challenging and beautiful. I have learned another perspective on Nonproliferation and Security matters, I have tested my limits and I have proven myself to be able to overcome them. I am sorry it came to an end so quickly!
Rebecca Pantani
Student of the 6th cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program “Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation” (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center), Italy
Students of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation traditionally pass the final assessment procedure, which include the interdisciplinary exam and the process of defending master`s theses, in May-June of the second year of study. Until 2022, the State Examination Commission was headed by General Vyacheslav I. Trubnikov, who died in April 2022. In 2022, Oleg P. Ivanov, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, was Chairman of the State Examination Commission. H.E. Anatoly I. Antonov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the USA, will chair the State Examination Commission as part of the final assessment procedure of the 6th cohort students (2021–2023) of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies.
Students receive both fundamental knowledge of the theory and history of international relations, as well as applied knowledge related to the functioning of WMD nonproliferation regimes, international cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, arms control negotiations during their training on the program. They master the methods of political analysis and get acquainted with Russian and American approaches to nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, nuclear disarmament and global security in general.
I had an engineering mindset with little understanding of international relations before entering the program. As I move forward, I will use this knowledge for a better world. This program is really a one in a million chance.
Allison Anne Owen
Analyst at the Center for Financial Crime and Security Studies (CFCS) at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), graduate of the 4th cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program “Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation” (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center)
As part of the program students study
issues of the nuclear nonprliferation regime
the role of nuclear weapons in the security policy of individual states and military-political blocs
missile defense and missile proliferation risks
national and international export control regimes
nuclear power
the use of information and communication technologies for political and military purposes
cyber threats to the security of critical infrastructure
new challenges and threats to national and global security
The program lecturers
The International Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation brings together the best scientific and teaching teams in the field of nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, disarmament and global security.
Among the program lecturers are representatives of PIR Center: Vladimir A. Orlov, Founding Director of PIR Center; Evgeny P. Buzhinskiy, Chairman of the PIR Center Executive Board, Co-Chair of the Trialogue Club International; Elena V. Chernenko, member of the PIR Center Executive Board, Co-Chair of the Trialogue Club International; Alexander V. Vorontsov, Mikhail N. Lysenko, Aleksey V. Ubeev, members of the PIR Center Advisory Board, as well as other lecturers of MGIMO University, invited experts from Russia and foreign countries.
The first semester in Russia on this master’s program was full of events! I am grateful to the program for the opportunity to meet such unique lecturers as we have had for these months.Thanks to the program, I have a true understanding of how important it is to work to establish peace and security in the whole world!
Aleksandra I. Aladko
Student of the 6th cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program “Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation” (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center), Russia
PIR Center, for its part, organizes extracurricular activities in offline and online formats, including:
Visits to Russian government departments, commercial structures and media offices
Meetings and discussions with experts and specialists from Russia and other countries of the world
Conducting interactive sessions, for example, debates
PIR Center engages students and graduates of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies to prepare a Security Index Occasional Paper Series.
In 2020–2022, PIR Center published analytical articles of
It is clear that PIR Center is doing its best and even more to make this program something special. I saw on a daily basis how Professor Orlov and other PIR Center stuff wondered about our results, whether we feel comfortable during the educational process, and so on. Thanks to PIR Center we had such enlightening meetings with nonproliferation professionals as Sergey Kislyak, Sergey Ryabkov, Izumi Nakamitsu, and Gustavo Zlauvinen. I clearly felt at the forefront of nonproliferation agenda thanks to PIR Center.
Galina S. Salnikova
Student of the 6th cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program “Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation” (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center), Russia
The program will suit anyone who is interested in
nuclear nonproliferation, arms control and strategic stability issues;
international cooperation in the field of WMD nonproliferation and global security;
development of nuclear energy in a broad economic and political context, including in countries that have begun to create national nuclear programs (CIS countries, the Middle and Near East, Southeast Asia, Latin America)
