Global Security Studies, Master of Arts

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.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses - Required
Select all of the following:		12
AS.470.603	Introduction to Global Security Studies
AS.470.605	Global Political Economy
AS.470.692	Military Strategy & National Policy
AS.470.851	Qualitative Methodologies in Social Science
Core Courses - Customizable (Energy)
Select one of the following:		3
AS.470.601	Climate Change and National Security
AS.470.657	Energy, Security, and Defense
AS.470.773	Energy and Environmental Security
Core Courses - Customizable (Research)
Select one of the following:		3
AS.470.853	Historical Methods
AS.470.854	Fundamentals of Quantitative Methods
Core Courses - Customizable (Writing)
Select two of the following:		6
AS.470.606	U.S. Security in a Disordered World
AS.470.632	Security Issues in South Asia
AS.470.633	Transnational Organized Crime: Gangsters of the Global Underworld
AS.470.640	Challenges of Transnational Security
AS.470.663	Human Security
AS.470.704	Strategies in Insurgent and Asymmetric Warfare
AS.470.756	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

Course List

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

Course List

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

Course List

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