A Global Professional has a combined set of skills and interests that include a professional field of study, an understanding of one or more areas of the world outside of the United States, and proficiency in at least one critical foreign language and culture.
NSEP alumni have a perspective of how their interests relate to issues of national security. The NSEP definition of national security is both broad and diverse to include, among others, such varied issues as:
| International and regional conflict | Conflict resolution | Peacekeeping |
| International trade | Market penetration | Export strategy |
| Export controls | Economic competitiveness | International environmental |
| Health and population issues | Sustainable development | Human rights and humanitarian assistance |
| Arms control | Nuclear proliferation | Weapons of mass destruction |
| Counter-proliferation | Terrorism and counter-terrorism | International drug trafficking |