Diploma in ITAR/EAR and Global Compliance
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in ITAR/EAR and global trade compliance. 8 modules covering the US export control regime, ITAR, EAR, coexistence with European regimes, sanctions and screening, compliance programmes, and violations and governance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in ITAR/EAR and Global Compliance — studying from the United States
Defense engineering is a major pillar of the American economy, with strong clusters in Virginia, Maryland, Alabama, Connecticut and California. Prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems Inc. develop land, air and naval systems for the Department of Defense. Work spans vehicle design, weapons integration, survivability and secure systems, governed by strict security and procurement rules. Engineers in this field often hold or pursue security clearances, which shapes career paths and project access.
Fees for the United States: US$1,440 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
What US bodies and clearance rules apply to defense and land-systems engineering?
Defense engineering in the US is shaped by the Department of Defense and agencies such as the Army Contracting Command, with work often requiring security clearances issued through federal processes. Professional engineering bodies include the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and ASME for mechanical systems. Licensure, where needed, comes from state boards. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees and do not confer clearances or licences.
Do US defense contractors and government employers recognize private engineering qualifications?
US defense primes and government employers typically require US citizenship for many roles, security clearances, and accredited degrees or proven experience. A private online qualification is not a substitute for these and is assessed by each employer. It may complement existing expertise, but it should not be relied on as a route into cleared or government positions.
Can a US-based engineer study land-systems topics online alongside full-time work?
Yes, the programmes are online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. The workload is about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course. Each student receives an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers fund training, so you may wish to ask your employer about support.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the US export control regime.
Apply ITAR requirements.
Classify products under the EAR.
Manage coexistence with European regimes.
Apply sanctions and screening procedures.
Design internal compliance programmes.
Handle violations within an ethical compliance culture.
Who it's for
- Trade compliance managers in defence, aerospace or semiconductor companies.
- ITAR/EAR specialists.
- Sanctions analysts.
- International trade legal advisers.
- Compliance auditors.
- Export control consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into defence.
What you'll work with
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 CFR 120-130 (US defence trade controls)
- Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR 730-774 (US dual-use controls)
- Arms Export Control Act (statutory basis of ITAR)
- Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (statutory basis of the EAR)
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual-use items)
- Regulation (EC) 2271/96 (EU Blocking Statute)
- Spanish Law 53/2007 (control of foreign trade in defence material)
- SAP GTS
- Descartes Visual Compliance
- OCR Global Trade
- Microsoft Power BI
8 modules
1.1Arms Export Control Act1.2Export Control Reform Act1.3Directorate of Defense Trade Controls1.4Bureau of Industry and Security1.5Extraterritoriality1.6Relationship with multilateral regimes1.7The 2013 export control reform1.8Recent trends1.9Impact on European companies1.10Case study: exposure map of a European company
2.1United States Munitions List2.2Defence articles and services2.3Technical data2.4DDTC registration2.5DSP-5 and DSP-73 licences2.6TAA and MLA agreements2.7Re-exports and retransfers2.8ITAR exemptions2.9The ITAR contamination rule2.10Workshop: analysis of a TAA application
3.1Commerce Control List3.2ECCN classification3.3600 series and 9x5153.4EAR993.5De minimis rule3.6Foreign direct product rule3.7Licence exceptions3.8Entity List and end users3.9Semiconductor controls3.10Practical exercise: ECCN classification of a product
4.1Regulation (EU) 2021/8214.2Directive 2009/43/EC4.3Spanish Law 53/20074.4Dual licensing4.5ITAR-free products4.6Design strategies4.7European cooperative programmes4.8EU Blocking Statute4.9Regulatory conflicts4.10Case study: programme with US components
5.1OFAC sanctions5.2SDN and sectoral lists5.3The 50% rule5.4Party screening5.5Sanctions on Russia5.6European sanctions5.7Diversion red flags5.8Enhanced due diligence5.9Screening tools5.10Practical exercise: screening a transaction
6.1Elements of an ICP6.2BIS guidelines6.3Management commitment6.4Risk assessment6.5Technical data control6.6Foreign persons and deemed exports6.7Training6.8Audits6.9Voluntary disclosure6.10Case study: ITAR compliance audit
7.1Civil and criminal penalties7.2Consent agreements7.3Landmark enforcement cases7.4Managing investigations7.5Ethics and compliance culture7.6Whistleblowing channels7.7Data protection and compliance7.8Cybersecurity of technical data7.9Corporate governance7.10Case study: analysis of a consent agreement
8.1Diagnosis of the organisation8.2Product classification8.3ITAR and EAR exposure8.4Interaction with European regulations8.5Programme design8.6Screening procedures8.7Audit plan8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is SAP GTS, Descartes Visual Compliance, OCR Global Trade and Microsoft Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for ECCN product classification, screening transactions against restricted lists and compliance programme audits. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ITAR (22 CFR 120-130), EAR (15 CFR 730-774), Arms Export Control Act, Export Control Reform Act of 2018, Regulation (EU) 2021/821, Regulation (EC) 2271/96, Spanish Law 53/2007.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SAP GTS, Descartes Visual Compliance, OCR Global Trade and Microsoft Power BI, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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