Public Policy (D.P.P.) - National Security Policy
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2026 through summer 2027. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PLCY 700 | Foundations of Public Policy | 3 |
| PLCY 702 | Founding Era and the Constitution | 3 |
| PLCY 703 | Contemporary Challenges to Constitutional Order and the Role of the State | 3 |
| PLCY 705 | Political Actors and Institutions | 3 |
| PLCY 802 | Competing Visions of Statesmanship | 3 |
| PLCY 804 | Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research Methods & Tools Courses | ||
| PLCY 805 | Policy Analysis and Research Design | 3 |
| PLCY 807 | Program Evaluation 1 | 3 |
| or PLCY 808 | Game Theory and Formal Modeling | |
| PLCY 809 | Data and Analysis for Policymakers 1 | 3 |
| PLCY 810 | Quantitative Methods I 1 | 3 |
| PLCY 812 | Qualitative Methods 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Students may request to substitute other research methods courses offered in the Helms School of Government, including PLCY 811, PLCY 815, and PLCY 816.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| National Security Policy Cognate | ||
| PLCY 800 | National Security and Public Policy | 3 |
| PLCY 880 | Introduction to National Security Policy Studies | 3 |
| PLCY 881 | Research Seminar in National Security Policy | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone Courses | ||
| PLCY 885 | Research Concept | 3 |
| PLCY 887 | Capstone I | 5 |
| PLCY 888 | Capstone II 1 | 5 |
| PLCY 889 | Capstone III 1 | 5 |
| PLCY 890 | Capstone IV 1 | 0 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
Any student who has not completed the milestones required for this course, as described in the Helms School of Government Capstone Handbook, may be required to repeat this course.
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 60 hours
- A maximum of 50% of a post-graduate and doctoral degree may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No grades lower than a B- may be applied to the degree
- Successful completion of Research Concept
- Degree must be completed within 5 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date