APPLIED GEOPOLITICAL EDUCATION

Understand global risk.
Make better decisions.

Build practical skills in geopolitical analysis, strategic foresight, and risk assessment. Apply those skills to decisions in government, business, and international affairs.

Students Across 12 Countries

A growing international learning community

Faculty with Decades of Experience

Across business, government, intelligence, academia, and journalism

Published Authors & Practitioners

Expertise grounded in real-world experience

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

Certificate in Applied Geopolitics

Build a structured approach to geopolitical analysis through practical frameworks, applied assignments, and course options aligned with your professional interests.

Structured 5-Course Path

Combine essential coursework with selected course options

Online and Self-Paced

Complete in as little as four to five months, or progress on your own schedule

Applied Assignments and Feedback

Applied assignments and individual instructor feedback in every course

Verifiable Digital
Certificate

Receive a blockchain-verifiable credential upon successful completion

Featured Course:

5x5 Conflict Analysis FrameworkTM

The 5×5 Conflict Analysis Framework™ provides a structured approach to examining complex conflicts. Taught by Patrik Baab and Steven Smith, the course uses the war in Ukraine to explore how political, economic, social, military, and international forces interact and change over time.

Rather than presenting a single explanation of the conflict, the course shows participants how to evaluate competing interpretations, identify important relationships, and trace the developments that shape a conflict’s direction. Although Ukraine serves as the primary case study, the methodology can be used to examine other conflicts and geopolitical challenges.
This course may be applied toward the IAG Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.

Enrollment Now Open!

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

What Our Students Say

Hear how IAG students are applying structured geopolitical analysis in their professional work.

I highly recommend this course to anyone working in corporate strategy, supply chain, or logistics who needs to understand complex geopolitical issues in a structured and practical way.

Swethnag

COMPASS™ Framework for Geopolitical Analysis

The approach of examining and analyzing a country using a framework developed specifically for this purpose is truly exciting and valuable.

Max Rapp

COMPASS™ Framework for Geopolitical Analysis

The course provided me with practical knowledge and expertise that is directly applicable to my work and expands the breadth of services I can offer to my clients.

Bruce S.

Geopolitical Analysis

FREE INSIGHTS

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Explore practical analysis and conversations that keep you connected to the ideas shaping our courses.

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Ready to Build Your Geopolitical Expertise?

Explore a focused course or follow a structured path through the Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES

What Our Students Say

Hear how IAG students are applying structured geopolitical analysis in their professional work.

I highly recommend this course to anyone working in corporate strategy, supply chain, or logistics who needs to understand complex geopolitical issues in a structured and practical way.

Swethnag

COMPASS™ Framework for Geopolitical Analysis

The approach of examining and analyzing a country using a framework developed specifically for this purpose is truly exciting and valuable.

Max Rapp

COMPASS™ Framework for Geopolitical Analysis

The course provided me with practical knowledge and expertise that is directly applicable to my work and expands the breadth of services I can offer to my clients.

Bruce S.

Geopolitical Analysis

Coming soon! Join the Waitlist!

AI Geopolitics: Global Strategic Intelligence

AI Geopolitics: Global Strategic Intelligence examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping international power, economic competition, technological dependence, governance, and national security. Taught by Dr. Mark Schieffer of the Institute for Applied Geopolitics, the course introduces a structured framework for understanding how developments across national strategy, infrastructure, technology flows, data, governance, and security are connected.

Participants learn how to place individual AI developments within a wider geopolitical context, identify important capabilities and dependencies, examine evidence and uncertainty, and communicate their findings clearly. The course is intended for professionals working in policy, strategy, risk, intelligence, international affairs, research, and related fields. No technical background in artificial intelligence is required.
This course may be applied toward the IAG Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.
PESTEL: A Strategic Framework for Global Analysis Overview
FEATURED COURSE

COMPASS™ Framework for Geopolitical Analysis 

Learn a structured method for evaluating geopolitical risk across seven strategic dimensions. Apply the COMPASS Framework to assess state power, identify emerging risks, and strengthen geopolitical analysis.
Access: 16 Weeks | Format: Online, Self-Paced | Level: Foundation | Prerequisites: None
  • Applied Learning with Individual Feedback Complete applied assignments and receive individual feedback from your instructor.

Geopolitical Analysis and Supply Chain Resilience

Executive Certificate Program

Learn to translate geopolitical intelligence into resilient, forward-looking supply chain decisions.
Format: 3-day intensive program
Date: October 14-16, 2026
Time: 8 AM to 4 PM, Central time
Location: University of Memphis - Virtual
Format: Live virtual sessions
This course may be applied toward the IAG Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.

Early Enrollment Now Open

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Hosted by the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business and Economics in partnership with the Institute for Applied Geopolitics

Join the Waitlist!

Geopolitics of Energy and Resources

Geopolitics of Energy and Resources examines how the struggle for energy and raw materials shapes global power. Taught by Kellee Ann Richards-St Clair of the Institute for Applied Geopolitics, this course covers oil and gas markets, petrodiplomacy, energy security and supply chain chokepoints, and the race for critical minerals. It then explores how the energy transition, tech giants, and tightening climate regulation are creating new winners, losers, and risks. Hands-on assignments throughout build practical skills in geopolitical risk assessment. Whether you work in energy, finance, policy, or strategy, you'll leave able to read the politics behind the price and anticipate the risks that markets miss.
This course may be applied toward the IAG Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.

Early Enrollment Now Open

Strategic Foresight and Risk Assessment

A structured approach to analyzing future risk and uncertainty.

The Strategic Foresight and Risk Assessment course prepares analysts and decision-makers to systematically evaluate emerging risks, explore alternative futures, and strengthen long-term strategic planning. Participants learn how to identify early signals of change, construct credible future scenarios, apply forecasting techniques, and develop practical risk response strategies. By the end of the course, learners can deliver forward-looking analysis that supports resilient planning and informed strategic action.
This course may be applied toward the IAG Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.
Click "Learn More" to sign up for waitlist.

COMPASS Framework for Geopolitical Analysis

The COMPASS™ Framework equips analysts and decision-makers with a professional-grade, two-stage methodology for evaluating geopolitical risk. Participants learn how to select and justify indicators, integrate historical data into structured analysis, and translate complex geopolitical environments into transparent, comparable risk scores. By the end of the course, learners can conduct consistent cross-country assessments, identify emerging risk signals, and produce analysis that supports strategic, policy, and investment decisions.
This course may be applied toward the IAG Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.

Introduction to Applied Geopolitics

In this foundational course, learners develop the ability to think geographically, evaluate historical patterns, and integrate multiple layers of analysis to understand why states behave the way they do.
  • Learn classical and contemporary geopolitical frameworks
  • Analyze countries through spatial, historical, and structural lenses
  • Distinguish between deep, contemporary, and tactical geopolitics
  • Develop a structured approach to interpreting global change and uncertainty
This course may be applied toward the IAG Certificate in Applied Geopolitics.

Frequently asked questions

What level of expertise is required for IAG courses? 

Our courses are designed for professionals at all levels - from emerging analysts to seasoned practitioners. Each course clearly indicates any prerequisites or recommended background knowledge.

How are courses delivered? 

Courses are delivered through a combination of asynchronous and syncronounous online sessions, hybrid courses, and live in-person. All courses include pre-recorded content and interactive assignments. Our flexible course formats allows participants to balance learning with professional commitments.

Do you offer certificates upon completion? 

Yes, participants receive a certificate of completion for each course and a professional certificate upon completing designated program tracks.