DSS/PoliSci Major

I've always had a heavy interest in politics, and even plan to go into PoliSci in college. However, looking at USMAs majors, the defense and strategic studies one caught my eye. The description said it dealt with using different tactics to deal with national security which sounded very interesting to me as well as working with 3 letter agencies. However, the description of it is very short. Can someone on here or maybe even someone who's taken the major give me more insight as to what you learn in DSS and what that major sets you up for, as compared to the PoliSci Major?

You could easily do both. DSS is more of a "fake major;" it has a lot of interesting substance but isn't accredited with anything and isn't entirely flushed out yet as it is fairly new. PoliSci (American Politics) is your typical major in that field and will set you up for government work. I honestly wouldn't recommend DSS--I considered it last year--but rather declaring a minor in Terrorism Studies or Grand Strategy or even a double major.

prospective2019 said:

You could easily do both. DSS is more of a "fake major;" it has a lot of interesting substance but isn't accredited with anything and isn't entirely flushed out yet as it is fairly new. PoliSci (American Politics) is your typical major in that field and will set you up for government work. I honestly wouldn't recommend DSS--I considered it last year--but rather declaring a minor in Terrorism Studies or Grand Strategy or even a double major.

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Can you please expand more upon the major of DSS itself, or what it at least tries to teach?

Also, what is covered in terrorism studies and grand strategy as I've heard of them before but never really could find much about them?

Thanks in advance

You know what, my younger cadet was in Int Relations (or whatever it is called these days) and switched to DSS. He loves it. The classes (listed on the webpage) are fascinating to him and he is doing a real world project for his capstone. He has never been happier.