Apr 11, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Nuclear Deterrence Minor


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As long as there are states that seek to or have nuclear weapons, especially in the current era of global geopolitical instability it's vital that the United States has a talent pipeline of nuclear experts to avoid nuclear crisis. The waning interest in the study of nuclear deterrence in the aftermath of the Cold War, coupled with the increasing retirement of nuclear experts, is leading to a large gap between the need for nuclear expertise and the number of students trained to deal with nuclear threats. 

An interdisciplinary minor in Nuclear Deterrence for undergraduate students is the first step in educating the next generation of U.S. leaders in nuclear deterrence.  The program offers a rigorous curriculum from numerous colleges across UTK providing students with a solid understanding of technology, social sciences, and leadership as they relate to nuclear deterrence.  

Undergraduate students in the Nuclear Deterrence program will gain a deep understanding of deterrence concepts and theory, strategy and doctrine, technologies, insights into international relations and conflict frameworks, and leadership development.  

Upon completion of this minor students are qualified for junior positions in the federal government and military, national laboratories, think tanks, and international institutions specializing in defense and security. 

Campus: Knoxville, Distance Education


Credit Hours Required


The Nuclear Deterrence Minor consists of 18 hours of coursework.

Required Courses (6 credit hours)


Complete both courses:

Elective Courses (9 credit hours)


Select any three courses from the following:

Capstone Course (3 credit hours)


Select one Capstone course:

Footnotes


1  Course has its own set of prerequisites.  Please consult the catalog for more information.

 Course has registration restrictions. Please consult the catalog for more information.

3 Open only to Haslam Leadership Scholars.

* Satisfies Volunteer Core  Requirement.

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