Security Studies - Georgetown SSP vs. GW SPS vs. Fletcher MALD

[tmw123]

Looking for anyone who's attended security studies programs at Georgetown (SSP), George Washington (SPS) or Fletcher (MALD) to help with some insight on which program to choose.

I've been accepted to GW and Fletcher and still waiting to hear back from SSP, but I think my chances are pretty good. I got a bit of funding from each school so I expect costs to be more or less the same, this won't be my deciding factor. However, despite going into the process thinking Georgetown > Fletcher > GW, I really can't make up my mind...

I have a couple years experience in a quasi-security related job for an IO. My objective in pursuing this masters is to open up more jobs that typically require a grad degree, but also to get more specialization in the hard security fields, as I feel like this is the area where I really lack experience and perspective. 

Here's the main questions that are holding back my decision:

1. How important is ranking and prestige, and is SSP really the top program (as much as its sister degree MSFS)? I feel like being within SFS at Georgetown should really count for something, but I also find the program and curriculum at SSP (basically 12 classes and an exam) to be far less interesting than that of SPS or MALD (which offer capstone projects, more electives, professional skills courses, etc.).

2. Is SSP very heavily military/intelligence focused? Do classes also examine other perspectives - human security, development, gender, etc.? Traditional state-centric military/intelligence perspectives are certainly an important part of the field, but I'm not sure I want a program which is entirely limited to this. 

3. Do SSP and SPS have good international perspectives in the program/classes? Fletcher puts a huge emphasis on this, and GW a tiny bit. SSP seems a bit US national security-centric however. Seems very weird to me that they don't have a language requirement.

4. What's the true value of these schools in terms of job placement (both internships and paying jobs for those schools in DC...)? Very much leaning towards GW or Georgetown for this reason.

Overall, my current assessment is that Georgetown is the best option for prestige, job placement, and in-depth security specialization despite a very simple program, while Fletcher is less focused but has the most interesting academic program with diverse options and perspectives. GW is the perfect middle ground except that it loses out to the other two in terms of prestige. Hence my dilemma... so please provide any insights that might change my mind on this. Thanks!

[roseyhoney]

I also got into GWU and Fletcher. But not for security. Excited for us! Congrats!

[GradSchoolGrad]

On 3/9/2020 at 7:06 PM, tmw123 said:

Looking for anyone who's attended security studies programs at Georgetown (SSP), George Washington (SPS) or Fletcher (MALD) to help with some insight on which program to choose.

I've been accepted to GW and Fletcher and still waiting to hear back from SSP, but I think my chances are pretty good. I got a bit of funding from each school so I expect costs to be more or less the same, this won't be my deciding factor. However, despite going into the process thinking Georgetown > Fletcher > GW, I really can't make up my mind...

I have a couple years experience in a quasi-security related job for an IO. My objective in pursuing this masters is to open up more jobs that typically require a grad degree, but also to get more specialization in the hard security fields, as I feel like this is the area where I really lack experience and perspective. 

Here's the main questions that are holding back my decision:

1. How important is ranking and prestige, and is SSP really the top program (as much as its sister degree MSFS)? I feel like being within SFS at Georgetown should really count for something, but I also find the program and curriculum at SSP (basically 12 classes and an exam) to be far less interesting than that of SPS or MALD (which offer capstone projects, more electives, professional skills courses, etc.).

2. Is SSP very heavily military/intelligence focused? Do classes also examine other perspectives - human security, development, gender, etc.? Traditional state-centric military/intelligence perspectives are certainly an important part of the field, but I'm not sure I want a program which is entirely limited to this. 

3. Do SSP and SPS have good international perspectives in the program/classes? Fletcher puts a huge emphasis on this, and GW a tiny bit. SSP seems a bit US national security-centric however. Seems very weird to me that they don't have a language requirement.

4. What's the true value of these schools in terms of job placement (both internships and paying jobs for those schools in DC...)? Very much leaning towards GW or Georgetown for this reason.

Overall, my current assessment is that Georgetown is the best option for prestige, job placement, and in-depth security specialization despite a very simple program, while Fletcher is less focused but has the most interesting academic program with diverse options and perspectives. GW is the perfect middle ground except that it loses out to the other two in terms of prestige. Hence my dilemma... so please provide any insights that might change my mind on this. Thanks!

1. If you want to be unemployed during a recession, then I recommend Fletcher. Great program academically and tight knit community. However, I saw a lot of my friends from Fletcher really struggle with the last recession and the school really wasn't able to help them, especially with its limited brand equity beyond the IR space and lack of breadth in education opportunities.

2. So SSP is an interesting beast. It is really all about how you structure your academic experience + score your internships. You are right, the population tends to be more national security and defense focused. It is really like a lego set where you make your own experience. You would have easy access to all the SFS courses and grad courses throughout Georgetown (last I remember, I don't remember the gender courses being filled up to capacity). The downside is that the community isn't that tight. 

SSP is definitely well respected in defense circles and you would have better connections than Fletcher. HOWEVER... your experience will depend heavily on your ability to take advantage of DC. 

I don't know GPS that well, so I can't comment.