A consortium of researchers dedicated to improving the understanding of the human causes and consequences of terrorism

START provides ample online education and training opportunities

UMD's START Issues History of Terrorism Report | UMD Right Now ...Whether you are a full-time student or working professional, START has many options for you to further your education and build applicable skills, all from the comfort of your own home. Online offerings include START’s summer courses, Graduate Certificate Program, Webinar Series and customized training lectures.

START’s summer courses are available to degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students. Over the course of two summer sessions, START instructors will offer six courses on topics ranging from terrorist financing and terrorist hostage taking, to shooting spree killers and political assassinations. These online courses are open to all learners through the University of Maryland Office of Extended Studies and can be enrolled in through May 22 (Session I) or July 3 (Session II).  

START is also accepting applications through July 24 for its entirely online Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis, which can be completed in as little as a year.  It is designed to provide participants with advanced education on the causes, dynamics, and impacts of international and domestic terrorism. Participants also develop the methodological skills necessary to pursue advanced research on and analysis of terrorism. GRE and other standardized test scores are not required for admittance, but students must have achieved a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 and demonstrate experience, education and/or substantial interest in terrorism/counterterrorism studies and research.

To provide its stakeholders and the public with opportunities to connect with START’s network of experts and stay current on recent research, START has created a webinar series featuring lectures on terrorism, counterterrorism, near-peer competition and gray zone dynamics. START is also hosting additional events in an online format, including book talks for “The Radical's Journey: How German Neo-Nazis Voyaged to the Edge and Back” (Arie Kruglanski, Daniel Koehler and David Webber) and “Weaponized Words: The Strategic Role of Persuasion in Violent Radicalization and Counter-Radicalization” (Kurt Braddock). 

START researchers are also available to provide virtual training lectures for participants to improve their knowledge of factual baselines and proven methodologies, and build new skills to integrate research into policy and practice. Organizations interested in hosting such lectures should contact START’s training team, which also provides a handful of publicly available online courses.