National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) | RallyPoint

The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) was established in 2005 as a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, tasked with utilizing state-of-the-art theories, methods, and data from the social and behavioral sciences to improve the understanding of the origins, dynamics, and social and psychological impacts of terrorism. START was funded by an initial $12 million grant from DHS to complete projects in the research areas of terrorist group formation and recruitment, terrorist group persistence and dynamics, and societal responses to terrorist threats and attacks.

Based at the University of Maryland, START supports research efforts of leading social scientists at more than 50 academic and research institutions, each of whom is conducting original investigations into fundamental questions about terrorism.

If you're interested in staying up to date on our research, job openings, and education and training opportunities, be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter.

You're also welcome to explore our educational and training programs at the links below, or reach out to infostart@umd.edu with any questions:

By enrolling in our educational or training programs, you are guaranteed guidance from some of the top experts in the fields of national security and terrorism studies. You will learn from distinguished professionals with a comprehensive understanding of global security and terrorism, prepared to equip you with the same critical analysis tools that inspired their successful careers and global impact. Our small class sizes enable you the full attention you need to master your coursework and absorb as much knowledge as possible.

Several of our educational and training programs are entirely online, either in an asynchronous format or in the evenings and on weekends (Eastern Time), which provides you with the flexibility you need as a working professional, no matter where you are in the world. The range of our programs provides you with several options to choose from, with guidance from some of the top experts in their fields to help you pursue your career goals. Many of these experts are themselves veterans, or have worked extensively with the military and veteran community, and can speak to the unique needs of service members, veterans and their families.

Our Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Security and Terrorism Studies in particular is perfect for veterans and military personnel who are looking to advance their career in national security or intelligence analysis. Other programs include our internship program, online Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis, online summer and winter courses, the Global Terrorism Studies Minor for University of Maryland students, and a range of online or in person training products.