DSCU’s headquarters is located in the National Capital Region and consists of the following elements:
- Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program—Human Capital Initiative (SCWDP-HCI)
- Institutional Capacity Building Directorate
- BG Charles Young Institute
- International Military Training and Education Division

Mission
DSCU is the Department of Defense's primary Security Cooperation educational institution. Its mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of Security Cooperation through education, training, workforce development, advising, research, analysis, and lessons learned.
Vision
DSCU strives to be the center of intellectual life for the Security Cooperation enterprise; we prepare a global network of professionals to achieve outcomes that enhance the security of the United States and its partners and allies.
Values
- Academic Excellence: Commitment to personal, professional, and Security Cooperation workforce innovation and growth through academics and integrity.
- Accountability: Maintaining the highest integrity in meeting the highest standards of the Department of Defense, Congress, and the U.S. taxpayer at a reasonable cost.
- Agility: Providing education, support, and relevant information in a timely and efficient manner.
- Collaboration: Leveraging the knowledge of the Security Cooperation community in order to develop valuable and timely Security Cooperation academic curriculum.
-
Community: Dedication to building and upholding relationships within the Security Cooperation community and adding value to the workforce.
Latest News

DRMI Delivers Mobile Course in Argentina
November 27, 2024
A Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI) faculty team recently delivered a one-week Mobile International Defense Management Course (MIDMC) for approximately 30 military officials representing the Argentinian Armed Forces. The MIDMC was the fourth iteration of the course in Argentina and was the result of a combined effort of representatives from the Ministry of Defense of Argentina and the U.S. Embassy, Office of Defense Cooperation.

The Institute for Security Governance Commemorates Three Decades of Impact
November 21, 2024
The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently marked its 30th anniversary celebrating three decades of dedication to strengthening international partnerships through education, training, and Institutional Capacity Building (ICB). Established to support U.S. Security Cooperation, ISG has evolved into an institution focused on fostering sustainable defense partnerships worldwide.

DIILS Partners With Nigeria
November 13, 2024
A team from DSCU’s Defense Institute of International Legal Studies recently traveled to Nigeria to meet with members of the Nigerian Navy as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation effort.

ISG Workshop Strengthens Maritime Governance and Security in Papua New Guinea
January 16, 2025
In early December, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) Institute for Security Governance (ISG), at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) workshop with Papua New Guinea’s government ministries and agencies. The workshop aimed to promote a cohesive approach to maritime governance and enhance the country’s ability to respond to sea-based challenges.

New SCO Qualification Course Concludes
January 15, 2025
ARLINGTON, January 5, 2025 — In Dec. 2024, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) Defense SCO Institute (DSI) graduated the first 16 Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) Qualification Course students Dec. 6, 2024. This eight-week course, the first of its kind wholly taught in the National Capital Region (NCR), offered new educational opportunities targeted toward preparation for SCO activities such as strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and improving agility needed to keep up with the pace of the evolving field of security cooperation.

Institutional Capacity Building Team Honored with Prestigious SECDEF Award
January 10, 2025
The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Institutional Capacity Building Team – Tbilisi, Georgia was honored with the 2024 Secretary of Defense Sustainment Training, Advice, and Assistance of Foreign Military Forces Award in the Ministerial Category on Dec. 11, 2024. This recognition is the result of a dynamic team effort between DSCU’s team of Institute for Security Governance (ISG) Regional Advisors and the Ministry of Defense Advisor (MoDA) team in Tbilisi.

ISG Supports Capacity Building in Somalia
January 6, 2025
The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently concluded a four-part Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) workshop series in Mogadishu, Somalia that focused on Human Resources Management, Logistics, and Civil-Military Relations. ISG engaged with Somali Ministry of Defense and Somali National Armed Forces personnel via interactive exercises to share knowledge, gain insights on challenges, and inform capacity development priorities to advance MoD and SNAF force management capabilities.

January 2025 Heron
January 6, 2025
Announcing the latest ISG Heron – a quarterly newsletter that shines a spotlight on the Institute for Security Governance's work in Security Cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building, and showcases the dedicated individuals behind these important initiatives.

Strengthening Allied & Partner Air Operations: Key Takeaways from the Regional Air Operations Workshop
December 31, 2024
In Nov. 2024, the Slovak Republic's Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance co-hosted the 2nd Annual Regional Air Operations Workshop in Bratislava, advancing efforts to integrate multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) across allied and partner forces.

DIILS Partners With El Salvador
December 30, 2024
A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with members of their military as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation effort.

Strengthening Defense Education in Brazil
December 30, 2024
In early October, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG) partnered with the Escola Superior de Defesa (ESD) in Brasilia, Brazil to support the conduct of a defense management and planning course. This engagement marks another milestone in our shared mission of advancing sustainable capacity building.

ISG Principles of Defense Acquisition & Contract Management
December 17, 2024
The Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently completed the latest iteration of its International Defense Acquisition Resource Management (IDARM) resident course offerings, Principles of Defense Acquisition and Contract Management. This course, conducted with English/Spanish simultaneous interpretation, focused on the unique challenges and opportunities within the Latin American context. It took place at the ISG headquarters in Monterey, California.

DSCU Call for Proposals: Submissions to the 2025 Security Cooperation Conference
December 9, 2024
The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) is pleased to invite submissions to the 2025 Security Cooperation Conference, which will be held in late October 2025 in the National Capital Region. The theme of the 2025 conference is “Learning from the Past to Shape the Future.”

UN Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders Course
December 9, 2024
Congratulations to the latest cohort of participants of the Institute for Security Governance's (ISG) United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders (PKOCC) course.

DIILS Engages with Thailand
December 4, 2024
A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University's Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Thailand. The DIILS team met with maritime security professionals from the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordination Center (Thai MECC) as part of an ongoing maritime security cooperation effort.

Romania Builds Capacity to Implement NATO Resilience Baseline Requirements
December 4, 2024
Romania has completed the first year of a five-year bilateral Security Cooperation program designed to enhance capacity to meet NATO Resilience Baseline Requirements. This initiative, supported by U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG), focuses on strengthening resilience and crisis management capabilities.

DIILS Partners with Latvia
November 27, 2024
A team from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Latvia to conduct an executive seminar on Human Rights and the Law of Armed Conflict with members of their military.

DRMI Delivers Mobile Course in Argentina
November 27, 2024
A Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI) faculty team recently delivered a one-week Mobile International Defense Management Course (MIDMC) for approximately 30 military officials representing the Argentinian Armed Forces. The MIDMC was the fourth iteration of the course in Argentina and was the result of a combined effort of representatives from the Ministry of Defense of Argentina and the U.S. Embassy, Office of Defense Cooperation.

The Institute for Security Governance Commemorates Three Decades of Impact
November 21, 2024
The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently marked its 30th anniversary celebrating three decades of dedication to strengthening international partnerships through education, training, and Institutional Capacity Building (ICB). Established to support U.S. Security Cooperation, ISG has evolved into an institution focused on fostering sustainable defense partnerships worldwide.

DIILS Partners With Nigeria
November 13, 2024
A team from DSCU’s Defense Institute of International Legal Studies recently traveled to Nigeria to meet with members of the Nigerian Navy as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation effort.

ISG Workshop Strengthens Maritime Governance and Security in Papua New Guinea
January 16, 2025
In early December, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) Institute for Security Governance (ISG), at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, conducted a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) workshop with Papua New Guinea’s government ministries and agencies. The workshop aimed to promote a cohesive approach to maritime governance and enhance the country’s ability to respond to sea-based challenges.

New SCO Qualification Course Concludes
January 15, 2025
ARLINGTON, January 5, 2025 — In Dec. 2024, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s (DSCU) Defense SCO Institute (DSI) graduated the first 16 Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) Qualification Course students Dec. 6, 2024. This eight-week course, the first of its kind wholly taught in the National Capital Region (NCR), offered new educational opportunities targeted toward preparation for SCO activities such as strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and improving agility needed to keep up with the pace of the evolving field of security cooperation.

Institutional Capacity Building Team Honored with Prestigious SECDEF Award
January 10, 2025
The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Institutional Capacity Building Team – Tbilisi, Georgia was honored with the 2024 Secretary of Defense Sustainment Training, Advice, and Assistance of Foreign Military Forces Award in the Ministerial Category on Dec. 11, 2024. This recognition is the result of a dynamic team effort between DSCU’s team of Institute for Security Governance (ISG) Regional Advisors and the Ministry of Defense Advisor (MoDA) team in Tbilisi.

ISG Supports Capacity Building in Somalia
January 6, 2025
The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently concluded a four-part Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) workshop series in Mogadishu, Somalia that focused on Human Resources Management, Logistics, and Civil-Military Relations. ISG engaged with Somali Ministry of Defense and Somali National Armed Forces personnel via interactive exercises to share knowledge, gain insights on challenges, and inform capacity development priorities to advance MoD and SNAF force management capabilities.

January 2025 Heron
January 6, 2025
Announcing the latest ISG Heron – a quarterly newsletter that shines a spotlight on the Institute for Security Governance's work in Security Cooperation and Institutional Capacity Building, and showcases the dedicated individuals behind these important initiatives.

Strengthening Allied & Partner Air Operations: Key Takeaways from the Regional Air Operations Workshop
December 31, 2024
In Nov. 2024, the Slovak Republic's Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance co-hosted the 2nd Annual Regional Air Operations Workshop in Bratislava, advancing efforts to integrate multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) across allied and partner forces.

DIILS Partners With El Salvador
December 30, 2024
A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with members of their military as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation effort.

Strengthening Defense Education in Brazil
December 30, 2024
In early October, the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG) partnered with the Escola Superior de Defesa (ESD) in Brasilia, Brazil to support the conduct of a defense management and planning course. This engagement marks another milestone in our shared mission of advancing sustainable capacity building.

ISG Principles of Defense Acquisition & Contract Management
December 17, 2024
The Defense Security Cooperation University's Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently completed the latest iteration of its International Defense Acquisition Resource Management (IDARM) resident course offerings, Principles of Defense Acquisition and Contract Management. This course, conducted with English/Spanish simultaneous interpretation, focused on the unique challenges and opportunities within the Latin American context. It took place at the ISG headquarters in Monterey, California.

DSCU Call for Proposals: Submissions to the 2025 Security Cooperation Conference
December 9, 2024
The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) is pleased to invite submissions to the 2025 Security Cooperation Conference, which will be held in late October 2025 in the National Capital Region. The theme of the 2025 conference is “Learning from the Past to Shape the Future.”

UN Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders Course
December 9, 2024
Congratulations to the latest cohort of participants of the Institute for Security Governance's (ISG) United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders (PKOCC) course.

DIILS Engages with Thailand
December 4, 2024
A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University's Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Thailand. The DIILS team met with maritime security professionals from the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordination Center (Thai MECC) as part of an ongoing maritime security cooperation effort.

Romania Builds Capacity to Implement NATO Resilience Baseline Requirements
December 4, 2024
Romania has completed the first year of a five-year bilateral Security Cooperation program designed to enhance capacity to meet NATO Resilience Baseline Requirements. This initiative, supported by U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Institute for Security Governance (ISG), focuses on strengthening resilience and crisis management capabilities.

DIILS Partners with Latvia
November 27, 2024
A team from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Latvia to conduct an executive seminar on Human Rights and the Law of Armed Conflict with members of their military.

DRMI Delivers Mobile Course in Argentina
November 27, 2024
A Defense Resources Management Institute (DRMI) faculty team recently delivered a one-week Mobile International Defense Management Course (MIDMC) for approximately 30 military officials representing the Argentinian Armed Forces. The MIDMC was the fourth iteration of the course in Argentina and was the result of a combined effort of representatives from the Ministry of Defense of Argentina and the U.S. Embassy, Office of Defense Cooperation.

The Institute for Security Governance Commemorates Three Decades of Impact
November 21, 2024
The Institute for Security Governance (ISG) recently marked its 30th anniversary celebrating three decades of dedication to strengthening international partnerships through education, training, and Institutional Capacity Building (ICB). Established to support U.S. Security Cooperation, ISG has evolved into an institution focused on fostering sustainable defense partnerships worldwide.

DIILS Partners With Nigeria
November 13, 2024
A team from DSCU’s Defense Institute of International Legal Studies recently traveled to Nigeria to meet with members of the Nigerian Navy as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation effort.