Program Overview

Online Master of Defense and Strategic Studies

The Online Master of Defense and Strategic Studies is a 33-credit hour program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of national security issues and strategic studies. The program is offered entirely online, with flexible and asynchronous classes ideal for military and working civilian students.

Program Highlights

• Convenient 100% online format
• Flexible, asynchronous classes
• Accelerated seven-week courses
• In-depth curriculum examining current defense and security challenges
• Ideally suited for students interested in intelligence and national security careers
• Financial aid and military benefits available
• Available on the Academic Common Market (ACM)

Program Admissions Requirements

Students must have a bachelor's degree to apply. Students from the Sergeants Major Academy must contact the admissions office directly for admissions requirements and tuition information.

Career Opportunities

The Master of Defense and Strategic Studies degree provides a solid background for individuals who want to:

• Work within the U.S. government in intelligence or homeland defense
• Support foreign relations by working in the U.S. diplomatic corps
• Advance in the armed services
• Help influence defense policy by providing legislative support on Capitol Hill

Employers and Jobs

Typical employers include:

• Defense Intelligence Agency
• Department of Energy
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of State
• Department of Defense
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• National Reconnaissance Office
• National Security Agency
• Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• Central Intelligence Agency
• U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines)

Types of jobs include:

• Federal special agent
• Civil-military affairs specialist
• Legislative aide
• Defense budget analyst
• Military foreign area officer
• Foreign service officer
• Defense planner
• Research and development specialist
• Intelligence collector
• Military staff officer
• Defense program manager
• Strategic communication specialist
• Cyberwarfare specialist
• Defense consultant
• Homeland defense specialist
• Security operations manager

UTEP Edge

The UTEP Edge is a student success initiative that develops students' assets through high-impact experiences, providing them with a competitive advantage in their lives and careers. Defense and Strategic Studies students will have the following Edge experiences and skills:

• Edge Experiences:
  • Capstone Experience
  • Learning Communities
• Edge Skills:
  • Global Awareness
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving

Faculty

The faculty for the strategic studies master's degree have backgrounds in all aspects of national security, ranging from national security law and legal psychology to counterterrorism and modern warfare. They are committed to providing students with the critical thinking and analytical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field.

Course Overview

The online program consists of completing 11 courses (33 semester hours) from 16 class offerings. There are five required courses and a choice of six electives, each with a duration of seven weeks. The program can be completed over a period of one year, if students take two courses at a time in each part of a semester across three semesters, including summer.

Academic Standards

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to earn the master's degree. Those with a semester GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and will have only nine semester hours (three courses) to return to "good" academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Required Courses

• DSS 5300: U.S. National Security
• DSS 5301: Strategic Theory and Modern Warfare
• DSS 5302: Global Security
• DSS 5306: U.S. Grand Strategy
• DSS 5320: Future Warfare

Elective Courses

Students must select six courses from the following:

• DSS 5303: Low Intensity Conflict
• DSS 5304: Information Operations
• DSS 5305: Cyber Warfare
• DSS 5310: Strategic Survey - Americas
• DSS 5311: Strategic Survey - Africa
• DSS 5312: Strategic Survey - Europe
• DSS 5313: Strategic Survey - Middle East
• DSS 5314: Strategic Survey - Indo-Pacific
• DSS 5315: Strategic Survey - North America
• DSS 5319: Space Strategy
• DSS 5321: Selected Topics in DSS

Tuition and Fees

• In-state tuition: $490/credit hour
• Out-of-state tuition: $575/credit hour