The ISSP mission is threefold. First, we offer a full schedule of courses and seminars at the graduate level as a distinct field of study within the multidisciplinary curriculum of the Fletcher School. Second, ISSP sponsors a diverse range of "outside the classroom" educational activities, including an annual conference devoted to a critical defense-related issue, a simulation exercise, a lecture series, and publications. Third, we provide support for graduate student research, including fellowships, scholarships, publication opportunities, and teaching assistants. Through the Frank Rockwell Barnett Fellowship from the Sarah Scaife Foundation, ISSP grants tuition assistance and research support to graduate students. Moreover, through the Sarah Scaife Foundation, ISSP provides substantial PhD dissertation research assistance, along with support for student organized academic activities. In addition, Professors Pfaltzgraff and Shultz are academic sponsors for the Earhart Foundation and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. During the academic year financial support was provided to six students from the Earhart Foundation and PhD dissertation research assistance to an additional four students through the Bradley Foundation.

Since its inception, ISSP's major goal has been to prepare its students for public- and private-sector careers in international security. The achievements of former students and fellows attest to the success of the program; graduates have gone on to work for a variety of careers in the national and international life to include:

• US Government
• Foreign Governments
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• International/National Think Tanks
• Global Consulting
• International/National Journalism
• Academia