Program Overview

Specialist in Strategic Communication, Hybrid Threats and Security

The title of Specialist in Strategic Communication, Hybrid Threats and Security is a pioneering postgraduate degree that seeks to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to understand, analyze and respond to hybrid threats, from the perspective of communication and security studies.

Objectives

The main objective of the Specialist is to train profiles with knowledge and skills for the multidimensional analysis of these threats, the detection of hybrid influence campaigns and the planning of effective responses, where the development of intelligence capabilities and strategic communication activities are essential.

Evaluation

All modules will have at least one evaluation test, which may consist of the preparation of a paper and/or a written test of the knowledge acquired. At the beginning of each module, students will be informed of the criteria necessary to pass the contents of the subject.

Methodology

A face-to-face methodology will be used in which lectures will be combined with case studies and group simulation exercises (role play). This methodology will be completed with the student's non-contact activity that includes the study of readings and preparation of materials for group discussion and work. All these activities are aimed at completing the necessary preparation of the student to achieve the objectives of the course.

Programme

The programme consists of the following modules:

1. Asymmetry, hybrid threats and security (30 hours): The objective of the module is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to understand the current security environment and the main threats to peace, stability of Western democracies and security of States and citizens, paying special attention to threats of a asymmetric and hybrid threats, the vulnerabilities of our democratic systems and the importance of strategic communication in this context.
2. Digital environment, cyber defense and cyber security policies (50 hours): Cyberspace has become a new domain for the expression of power and conflict, coercion, the development of criminal activities, attacks on critical infrastructures and hostile influence operations by state and non-state actors for purposes of a diverse nature.
3. Propaganda, disinformation and deception (50 hours): External influence on the electoral processes of our democracies and the erosion of confidence in their institutions constitute some of the most important challenges that our societies face.
4. Intelligence and Strategic Planning (50 hours): From an intelligence perspective applied to hybrid threats, the module provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze and develop intelligence with the aim of planning responses to this challenge.
5. Communication strategy and tactics (50 hours): The objective of the module is to train the student in the design, planning and development of strategic communication campaigns that can effectively contribute to dealing with hybrid threats.
6. Simulations and games (40 hours): From an active and experiential learning approach, the program includes the development of workshops, role-playing simulations, war games, as a necessary complement to the theoretical and case study sessions.
7. Scheduled visits (15 hours): As part of the activities, the program includes scheduled visits to security and defense institutions and organizations related to the contents addressed in the program.
8. Academic Work (50 hours): As part of the compulsory evaluation activities, in order to obtain the specialist degree, the student must prepare and present an original academic paper on one of the topics addressed in the program.

Recipients

The programme is aimed at:

• Journalism professionals
• Communication professionals in companies and public institutions
• Members of the State security forces and bodies
• Armed Forces personnel
• Public administration personnel
• Regional and local administrations
• Professionals employed in corporate security departments
• Consultancies and companies providing services related to cybersecurity or the protection of critical infrastructures
• Companies providing social communication services
• Analysis cabinets and studies of political parties
• Graduates or university graduates in any branch of knowledge and in particular in social Sciences.

Academic Management and Faculty

The programme is directed by:

• Dr. M. Victoria Campos Zabala
• Dr. Ruben Arcos Martin The faculty includes:
• Dr. Ruben Arcos Martin
• Dr. Maria Victoria Campos Zabala
• William J. Lahneman, MD
• Dr Julian Richards
• Dr Jan Goldman
• Dr. Francisco A. Marin
• Dr Chris Jagger
• Dr Lars Nicander
• Dr Per Thunholm
• Dr. Manuel Gertrudix
• Dr. Concepcion Anguita
• Dr Roger Mason
• Dr. Antonio Baraybar
• Dr William Lahneman
• Dr. Antonio M. Diaz

Duration and Development

The programme has a duration of 9 months, from January 16, 2026, to October 2026. The schedule is:

• Wednesday from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.
• Thursday from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.

Reservation of Place and Enrollment

The title of the programme is Specialist in Communication, Strategic, Hybrid Threats and Security. The start date is January 16, 2026, and the finish date is October 2026. The pre-registration period is from October 1 to January 10, 2026. The enrollment deadline is January 1. The title price is 2000, and there are 50 places available. The start of the course is conditioned to the minimum number of 20 students enrolled.

Documentation to Attach, Forms and Place of Delivery

The applicant must present all the scanned documentation in the allowed formats. The required documentation includes:

• National Identity Document or equivalent
• University Degree of the studies that give access to the requested postgraduate degree
• Curriculum vitae
• Responsible declaration of veracity of the data provided in digital format
• Any other document required by the Academic Department of Continuing Education for acceptance. Students with foreign qualifications must submit additional documentation, including a passport or residence card and a foreign Higher Education Degree.