Nuclear Safeguards Courses
Introduction to Nuclear Safeguards and Security
This module is an introduction to the terms and concepts related to nuclear security and safeguards.
Easy introductory course that requires no prior knowledge
Containment and Surveillance
Course Difficulty:
Course Category: Nuclear Safeguards
Average time to complete: 1 hour
Cost: Free
Module Description: In this module the elements of containment and surveillance, as used in nuclear safeguards, will be introduced.
Prerequisites: Students taking this module should have a basic understanding of nuclear nonproliferation and applied nuclear material safeguards.
Learning Objectives: Students completing this module should be able to explain the need and intent of containment and surveillance; define containment and surveillance; identify equipment commonly used in containment and surveillance; and explain how containment and surveillance can be used at a facility to supplement material accountancy.
Note: To enroll in the courses, you must use either Chrome or Safari. The enrollment form does not work in Edge, Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
Nuclear Material Accountancy
Course Difficulty: 
Course Category: Nuclear Safeguards
Average time to complete: 1-2 hours
Cost: Free
Module Description: In this module, students will be introduced to nuclear material accountancy, including measurement systems, equipment, and uncertainty calculations.
Prerequisites: Students taking this module should have completed the Basic Radiation Detection and Introduction to Statistics courses.
Learning Objectives: After completing this module, students should be able to describe the parties involved in nuclear material accountancy, determine how to setup an accountancy system for a facility, calculate any material unaccounted for and the corresponding uncertainty, name common measurement techniques and in what applications they should be used, and know the main difficulties of nuclear material accountancy.
Note: To enroll in the courses, you must use either Chrome or Safari. The enrollment form does not work in Edge, Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
Spent Nuclear Fuel Safeguards
Course Difficulty: 
Course Category: Nuclear Safeguards
Average time to complete: 4 hours
Cost: Free
Module Description: This module describes the characteristics of spent nuclear fuel and the methods used to safeguard it.
Prerequisites: Students taking this course should have first completed the Basic Nuclear and Atomic Physics, The Nuclear Fuel Cycle, the Containment and Surveillance, and the Nuclear Material Accountancy modules.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this module students will have an understanding of the systems used to safeguard spent nuclear fuel. They will be able to describe the techniques, tools, and goals of spent nuclear fuel safeguards.
Note: To enroll in the courses, you must use either Chrome or Safari. The enrollment form does not work in Edge, Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
Applied Statistics for Safeguards
Course Difficulty:
Course Category: Nuclear Safeguards
Average time to complete: 3 hours
Cost: Free
Module Description: This module explains the different types of statistical analysis used in nuclear safeguards.
Prerequisites: Students taking this module should have a working knowledge of basic algebra and calculus. They should have completed the NSSEP Introduction to Nuclear Safeguards and Security, Introduction to Statistics, and Nuclear Material Accountancy modules.
Learning Objectives: Students completing this module should be able to apply statistical analysis to various diversion detection scenarios, including: detecting diversion through material accountancy; statistical analysis of MUF and MUF uncertainty; measurement control; and sampling.
Note: To enroll in the courses, you must use either Chrome or Safari. The enrollment form does not work in Edge, Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
Uranium Enrichment Safeguards
Course Difficulty:
Course Category: Nuclear Safeguards
Average time to complete: 3 hours
Cost: Free
Module Description: This module describes the methods used to safeguard uranium enrichment facilities.
Prerequisites: Students taking this course should have first completed the Basic Nuclear and Atomic Physics, Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Containment and Surveillance, and Nuclear Material Accountancy modules.
Learning Objectives: After completing this course, students should be able to understand the basic physical principles behind uranium enrichment and will have an understanding of the systems used to safeguard uranium enrichment facilities. The description of the safeguards systems include the techniques, tools, and goals of uranium enrichment safeguards.
Note: To enroll in the courses, you must use either Chrome or Safari. The enrollment form does not work in Edge, Internet Explorer, or Firefox.
Other Courses
Basic Nuclear Science Courses
Explore free, self-paced introductory courses covering nuclear and atomic physics, radiation detection, statistics, and the nuclear fuel cycle. Designed for students and professionals, these courses provide foundational knowledge in nuclear science, safeguards, and security through accessible online learning modules.
Nuclear Security Courses
Learn the fundamentals of nuclear security threats, including terrorism risks, adversary motivations, radiological threats, and protection strategies for nuclear materials and facilities. This free introductory course helps learners understand how global security organizations assess and respond to potential nuclear and radiological dangers.