Doctorate in National Defense
The Doctorate in National Defense focuses on researching defense issues and generating original knowledge in this field. Its approach combines different disciplines and promotes critical analysis of decisions, institutions, and strategic challenges.
Degree information
- Degree awarded: Doctor in National Defense.
- Academic level: postgraduate, doctorate.
- Modality: in-person, evening classes.
- Hours in the published curriculum: 800 hours.
- Duration: confirm with FADENA due to differences between its publications.
- Academic unit: Facultad de la Defensa Nacional (FADENA), Universidad de la Defensa Nacional.
- Fees: annual enrollment and 20 installments; check current fees.
The institutional fact sheet indicates 2 to 3 years, while the PDF curriculum states 3 to 6 years. You need to confirm the coursework and thesis deadlines for the chosen edition.
How is the program organized?
The curriculum is semi-structured: it combines required courses, five electives, and a research component dedicated to the thesis.
Basic training
- Political Leadership of Defense.
- Theoretical Approaches to Defense and the International Context.
- Comparative Defense Policies and Strategies.
- Epistemology and Research Methodology.
- Thesis Workshop I.
- Thesis Workshop II.
Advanced training
It is completed through five elective courses. This stage allows you to deepen your training with specific content within the doctoral path.
Research and doctoral thesis
The curriculum assigns 320 hours to the thesis. Research is the central focus for developing an original contribution, supported by theoretical and methodological foundations. The path culminates in the writing and defense of the doctoral work.
You can review the structure in the official curriculum in PDF.
Graduate profile
Graduates will have tools to research defense issues from a critical and interdisciplinary perspective. They will be able to connect theoretical approaches with specific problems, produce knowledge, and contribute well-founded analysis to academic and institutional debate.
Fields of practice and skills
- Design and develop defense research.
- Contribute to building theoretical and methodological frameworks in the field.
- Advise on the planning and evaluation of sector policies.
- Provide specialized knowledge to governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Admission requirements
A university degree from an undergraduate degree of at least four years is required. For graduates of foreign universities, training of at least 2,600 clock hours or equivalent is considered, according to institutional conditions.
Documentation for national applicants
- Degree certificate and academic transcript with the corresponding legalizations.
- Admission application, sworn statement and acceptance of the academic regulations.
- Signed curriculum vitae.
- Two academic-professional reference letters.
- Copy of DNI and two 4 × 4 photographs.
- Doctoral research proposal.
Foreign applicants must check their specific documentation. Those who are not Spanish speakers must certify knowledge of Spanish.
Enrollment
Pre-registration takes place during the open periods:
Check calls, forms and full conditions on the official doctoral page.