Elite graduate school training national security leaders in statecraft, intelligence, and diplomacy since 1990.
IWP offers a Ph.D. in Statecraft and Strategy, two professional doctorates (Doctor of Statecraft and Strategy, Doctor of Statecraft and National Security), and twelve master's degrees spanning national security affairs, strategic intelligence, counterintelligence, war studies, Chinese and Asian affairs, and cyber intelligence. The curriculum emphasizes all instruments of statecraft—diplomacy, military strategy, intelligence, economic strategy, and moral leadership—grounded in American founding principles and international law. The school houses specialized centers including the Kosciuszko Chair of Polish Studies, Center for Culture and Security, and Center for Energy Security and Diplomacy.
The main campus occupies the historic Marlatt Mansion and Bently Hall in Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood, both contributing properties to the Sixteenth Street Historic District. The school opened a second campus in Reston, Virginia in 2020. The library holds the private collection of former CIA Director William Casey and the American Security Council Foundation Library. The student body of approximately 150 comprises recent graduates planning national security careers and mid-career professionals seeking advanced credentials, creating a diverse classroom environment enriched by varied perspectives.
IWP welcomes both domestic and international applicants; security clearance is not required. The school offers specialized support for veterans, including the IWP Graduate School Scholarship Program for Navy Special Warfare active-duty and veteran service members. Admissions staff work one-on-one with each student to map career paths and develop competitive candidacy. Online and in-person learning options accommodate working professionals, and the school provides internship opportunities through the National Security Internship Program.
IWP's mission is to develop leaders in national security and foreign policy through rigorous study of all instruments of power, emphasizing the concept of 'Winning Without War.' The school's faculty are scholar-practitioners with high-level government and academic experience. Graduates work at the State Department, Defense Department, CIA, DHS, and other executive branch agencies. The institution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit relying on tuition (approximately 65% of operating expenses) and private charitable donations.