MA in Global Security Studies
The JHU Master of Arts in Global Security Studies program is designed for students who are looking to develop or expand their expertise regarding the security challenges of the 21st century. Students confront the complexities of today’s security environment with the latest policy and theoretical tools for analysis and action. Particular strengths of the program are strategic studies; energy and environmental security; irregular warfare; military innovation and adaptation; and the economic aspects of war.
Courses draw from the best in academia and the private and public sectors to offer students the cutting edge in intellectual preparedness for career advancement. Classes are designed to maximize individual attention, encourage student interaction, build analytical skills, and provide the tools for engaging in original research.
This is a 12-course program, with classes offered at Johns Hopkins University's Washington, D.C., location and online. The degree can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis, and classes can be taken onsite, online, or through a mix of both modalities. All undergraduate majors are welcome.
Admissions Criteria for all Advanced Academic Programs
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the materials and credentials required for all programs, the Master of Science in Global Security Studies program also requires:
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose: The statement of purpose explains the applicant’s reasons for seeking admission and addresses the applicant’s analytical abilities and interest in security studies.
- Applicants should submit a five-page, double-spaced essay on the following:
“America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to freedom and independence of all.” — John Quincy Adams
This quote reflects the trends in American national security for much of the nation’s history. Are the implications that can be drawn from the statement consistent with the demands of American national security in the 21st century? Discuss this problem with regard to a recent policy issue or political event, citing at least three references.
Program Requirements
Students must complete four required core courses, four customizable core courses, and four elective courses.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses - Required | ||
Select all of the following: | 12 | |
Introduction to Global Security Studies | ||
Global Political Economy | ||
Military Strategy & National Policy | ||
Qualitative Methodologies in Social Science | ||
Core Courses - Customizable (Energy) | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Climate Change and National Security | ||
Energy, Security, and Defense | ||
Energy and Environmental Security | ||
Core Courses - Customizable (Research) | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Historical Methods | ||
Fundamentals of Quantitative Methods | ||
Core Courses - Customizable (Writing) | ||
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
U.S. Security in a Disordered World | ||
Security Issues in South Asia | ||
Transnational Organized Crime: Gangsters of the Global Underworld | ||
Challenges of Transnational Security | ||
Human Security | ||
Strategies in Insurgent and Asymmetric Warfare | ||
Understanding Modern War | ||
Elective Courses | ||
Students pursuing a concentration must select four courses from the concentration course list. Students not pursuing a concentration can select any four GSS electives. | 12 | |
Total Credits | 36 |
Strategic Studies Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.470.606 | U.S. Security in a Disordered World | 3 |
AS.470.611 | Global Terrorist Organizations | 3 |
AS.470.630 | Congress and the Making of Foreign Policy | 3 |
AS.470.632 | Security Issues in South Asia | 3 |
AS.470.633 | Transnational Organized Crime: Gangsters of the Global Underworld | 3 |
AS.470.640 | Challenges of Transnational Security | 3 |
AS.470.653 | Russian National Security Policy | 3 |
AS.470.654 | Deterrence & Crisis Stability in the New Era of Geopolitical Competition | 3 |
AS.470.657 | Energy, Security, and Defense | 3 |
AS.470.659 | Radicalization and Deradicalization in Terror Networks | 3 |
AS.470.663 | Human Security | 3 |
AS.470.664 | Fundamentals and Applications in Cybersecurity | 3 |
AS.470.668 | The Politics and Process of American Foreign Policy | 3 |
AS.470.685 | The Challenge of Change: Innovation in Military Affairs | 3 |
AS.470.704 | Strategies in Insurgent and Asymmetric Warfare | 3 |
AS.470.713 | Resisting Tyranny: Strategic Nonviolent Conflict | 3 |
AS.470.725 | China's Impact on Global Security | 3 |
AS.470.740 | Cyber Policy, Strategy, Conflict and Deterrence | 3 |
AS.470.744 | Trade and Security | 3 |
AS.470.745 | Terrorist Financing Analysis and Counterterrorist Finance Techniques | 3 |
AS.470.746 | Iran: Security Policy of a Revolutionary State | 3 |
AS.470.750 | Modern Conflict in the Middle East | 3 |
AS.470.751 | Politics and Security in the Middle East | 3 |
AS.470.756 | Understanding Modern War | 3 |
AS.470.767 | Defense Policy | 3 |
AS.470.775 | Great Power Competition | 3 |
AS.470.777 | Technology and Terrorism | 3 |
AS.470.778 | Conflict, Security, and Development | 3 |
AS.470.784 | Technology of Weapons of Mass Destruction | 3 |
AS.470.785 | Nuclear Proliferation and Non-Proliferation | 3 |
AS.470.789 | International/Non-Governmental Organizations and Civil Society in Conflict Zones | 3 |
AS.470.795 | The Constitution and National Security | 3 |
AS.470.855 | Research Study Seminar | 3 |
AS.473.600 | The Art & Practice of Intelligence | 3 |
AS.473.605 | Strategic Culture Analysis | 3 |
AS.473.609 | Introduction to Intelligence in the Five Eyes Community | 3 |
AS.473.622 | Rise and Fall of Intelligence | 3 |
AS.473.642 | Assessing Foreign Militaries | 3 |
AS.473.660 | Intelligence and Counterterrorism | 3 |
AS.450.612 | Tough Neighborhood: A History of U.S.-Central American Relations | 3 |
AS.450.781 | The Global Cold War | 3 |
AS.480.661 | International Public Relations and Public Diplomacy | 3 |
AS.480.687 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
Energy and Environmental Security Concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.470.601 | Climate Change and National Security | 3 |
AS.470.653 | Russian National Security Policy | 3 |
AS.470.657 | Energy, Security, and Defense | 3 |
AS.470.663 | Human Security | 3 |
AS.470.773 | Energy and Environmental Security | 3 |
AS.470.855 | Research Study Seminar | 3 |
AS.420.604 | Hydrology & Water Resources | 3 |
AS.420.605 | Maritime Law and the Environment | 3 |
AS.420.606 | Climate Justice | 3 |
AS.420.608 | Oceanic & Atmospheric Processes | 3 |
AS.420.612 | Sustainability Science: Concepts and Challenges | 3 |
AS.420.614 | Environmental Policymaking and Policy Analysis | 3 |
AS.420.624 | Ocean Stewardship and Sustainability | 3 |
AS.420.644 | Sustainable Cities | 3 |
AS.420.650 | International Environmental Policy | 3 |
AS.420.665 | Climate Change on the Front Lines: The Study of Adaptation in Developing Countries | 3 |
AS.420.668 | Sustainable Food Systems | 3 |
AS.420.676 | Global Scarcity in Freshwater Systems: Crisis and Solutions | 3 |
AS.420.679 | International Water: Issues and Policies | 3 |
AS.425.602 | Science of Climate Change and its Impact | 3 |
AS.425.603 | Climate Change Policy Analysis | 3 |
AS.425.604 | Energy & Climate Finance | 3 |
AS.425.637 | International Climate Change Policy | 3 |
AS.425.638 | Adaptation to Climate Change | 3 |
AS.425.639 | Energy Markets and Strategy from Europe to Asia | 3 |
AS.425.645 | Global Energy Policy | 3 |
AS.425.647 | Energy and Water Security in South Asia | 3 |
AS.425.651 | The Electric Grid: Technology and Policy | 3 |
AS.425.652 | Nuclear Energy: Technology, Policy, and Regulations | 3 |
Economic security concentration
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
AS.470.601 | Climate Change and National Security | 3 |
AS.470.633 | Transnational Organized Crime: Gangsters of the Global Underworld | 3 |
AS.470.651 | Corruption and Democratic Governance | 3 |
AS.470.653 | Russian National Security Policy | 3 |
AS.470.657 | Energy, Security, and Defense | 3 |
AS.470.663 | Human Security | 3 |
AS.470.664 | Fundamentals and Applications in Cybersecurity | 3 |
AS.470.689 | NGOs in Development and Global Policy-Making | 3 |
AS.470.724 | Managing Dangerous Futures: Global Political Risk Analysis | 3 |
AS.470.725 | China's Impact on Global Security | 3 |
AS.470.744 | Trade and Security | 3 |
AS.470.745 | Terrorist Financing Analysis and Counterterrorist Finance Techniques | 3 |
AS.470.766 | Economic Growth:The Politics of Development in Asia, Africa and Beyond | 3 |
AS.470.778 | Conflict, Security, and Development | 3 |
AS.470.855 | Research Study Seminar | 3 |
AS.420.605 | Maritime Law and the Environment | 3 |
AS.420.606 | Climate Justice | 3 |
AS.420.624 | Ocean Stewardship and Sustainability | 3 |
AS.425.604 | Energy & Climate Finance | 3 |
AS.425.639 | Energy Markets and Strategy from Europe to Asia | 3 |