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Introduction to the Master of Science in Security Studies

The Master of Science in Security Studies (MSSS) is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding security studies. The program is tailored to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue a career in security studies, whether in the public or private sector.

Program Overview

The MSSS program is a two-year, full-time program that consists of five core courses, six elective courses from the student's area of emphasis, an internship course, and a comprehensive exam. Students may choose to pursue a thesis option, which requires the completion of two thesis courses and a substantive research paper.

Core Requirements

The core requirements for the MSSS program include:

• SECS 6000 Security Studies Foundations (typically offered in Fall Term)
• SECS 6155 Changing Nature of National Security (typically offered in Fall Term)
• SECS 6260 Intelligence and National Security (typically offered Spring Term)
• SECS 6300 Research Methods for Security Studies (typically offered in Fall Term)
• SECS 6350 Weapons of Mass Destruction (typically offered as a Summer Course)
• SECS 6450 Internship
• SECS 7000 Thesis or Non-Thesis Option

Areas of Emphasis

The MSSS program offers four areas of emphasis:

International Security

The International Security area of emphasis provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding international security. Elective courses for this area of emphasis include:

• HIST 6210 War and Society
• HIST 6260 The United States and the Middle East, 1783 to the Present
• INTL 6005 Communications Across Cultures
• INTL 6105 Global Issues
• INTL 6500 International Problem Solving and Decision Making
• INTL 6510 Global and Multicultural Discourse
• POLS 6080 American Foreign Relations
• POLS 6330 Political Modernization and the Non-Western World
• POLS 6360 Causes of International War
• POLS 6382 Global Terrorism
• POLS 6425 War, Peace and Security in the Middle East
• POLS 6430 Seminar in International Politics
• POLS 6440 Seminar in International Organization
• SECS 6250 Policy and Practice of Security
• SECS 6270 Intelligence Analysis
• SECS 6320 Cyber Warfare and Security
• SECS 6330 Covert Action and Hybrid Warfare
• SECS 6380 The Art of Statecraft and International Security
• SECS 6390 Human Security
• SECS 6420 Globalization and Security
• SECS 6430 Special Topics Seminar

Homeland Security Policy

The Homeland Security Policy area of emphasis provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding homeland security policy. Elective courses for this area of emphasis include:

• BIOL 6110 Bioterrorism and Biosecurity
• EHST 6010 Fundamentals of Environmental Health
• HIST 6260 The United States and the Middle East, 1783 to the Present
• JUST 5000 Comparative Criminal Justice
• JUST 6502 Criminal Justice and Terrorism
• JUST 6620 Transnational Crime
• PADM 6163 Environmental Policy Analysis
• PADM 6170 Intergovernmental/ Interagency Relations
• PADM 6220 Leadership and Ethics in the Public Sector
• PLAN 6015 Hazards and Emergency/ Disaster Planning
• POLS 6345 Comparative Public Policy
• POLS 6382 Global Terrorism
• SECS 6260 Intelligence and National Security
• SECS 6270 Intelligence Analysis
• SECS 6320 Cyber Warfare and Security
• SECS 6400 The Foundation of Homeland Security and Defense
• SECS 6430 Special Topics Seminar
• SOCI 5500 Seminar in Population

Science and Technology Security

The Science and Technology Security area of emphasis provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding science and technology security. Elective courses for this area of emphasis include:

Computer Science Specialization

• CSCI 5800 Artificial Intelligence
• CSCI 6100 Cryptography and Information Security
• CSCI 6130 Networking and Telecommunication
• CSCI 6300 Cryptographic Protocols
• CSCI 7000 Thesis

Information Technology Specialization

• ICTN 6823 Information Security Management
• ICTN 6865 Fundamentals of Network Security
• ICTN 6878 Legal and Ethical Issues in Information Technology
• IDIS 6515 Logistical Security and Safety Management
• ITEC 6011 Technological Ethics, Diversity, and Leadership
• ITEC 6050 Technology Management Strategy
• ITEC 6060 Research Methods in Technology

Environmental Health and Occupational Safety

The Environmental Health and Occupational Safety area of emphasis provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding environmental health and occupational safety. Elective courses for this area of emphasis include:

• EHST 6010 Fundamentals of Environmental Health
• EHST 6100 Elements in Environmental Engineering
• SAFT 6290 Fire Protection and Prevention and Emergency Management
• SAFT 6402 Applied Safety Management
• SAFT 6410 Systems Safety and Risk Analysis

Degree Plan for Full-Time Students

The degree plan for full-time students is as follows:

First Year

• SECS 6000 Security Studies Foundations
• SECS 6155 Changing Nature of National Security
• SECS 6260 Intelligence and National Security
• Security Studies Elective Course
• Security Studies Elective Course
• Security Studies Elective Course

Second Year

• SECS 6300 Research Methods for Security Studies
• SECS 6350 Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
• SECS 6450 Security Studies Internship
• Security Studies Elective Course
• Security Studies Elective Course (or First Thesis Course)
• Security Studies Elective Course (or Second Thesis Course)
• Comprehensive Exam

Comprehensive Exam

All students must pass a comprehensive exam to complete the MSSS program. The comprehensive exam is designed to test the student's knowledge and understanding of the core requirements and area of emphasis.