The minor in Cybersecurity and International Conflict analyzes the role of cyber warfare and cybersecurity in international politics — past, present, and future. Cyber attacks by nation-states and their proxies have the potential to reshape how wars are fought in the twenty first century. As such, the complexity and policy challenge of cyber-engagements is immense and altogether without precedent. The minor addresses the role of deterrence, dissuasion, and attribution in cyber conflict, while also studying the nuances of key components of modern warfare — from the security dilemma to escalation management.

The International Relations and Politics minor (IRP) examines international relations, comparative politics, and domestic politics from the discipline of political science.  It analyzes the role of politics at the national, regional, international, and transnational levels; examines political and institutional arrangements within and among these levels; and investigates current issues relevant to the field of international relations.

The IRP minor studies the ways in which leaders construct foreign and national security policy; the impact of domestic and international forces on states’ security and economic policies; and the significance of alliances, coalitions, and international institutions for world politics.  The minor emphasizes the importance of political institutions (domestic and comparative), decision making by leaders in shaping policy, and contemporary challenges to the international system. 

The minor in Military Strategy and International Relations offers undergraduates at Carnegie Mellon a course of study focusing on military strategy and doctrine, the current national security landscape (including how cybersecurity and artificial intelligence influence national security decision-making), and the full range of strategic challenges facing future American leaders. While the minor is open to all CMU undergraduates, it is in part motivated by a desire to support CMU students embarking on the unique effort to serve and defend the country through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program and others interested in pursuing applied defense-related careers post-graduation.

Rooted in the discipline of political science, the minor in Politics and Public Policy investigates US public policy issues and other matters of domestic politics while providing students hands-on and practical learning experiences. Students pursuing the Politics and Public Policy minor must participate in the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program for one semester during their undergraduate experience.