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.

• Master classes and readings
• Study of cases
• Workshops
• Group simulation exercises (role play)
• Final directed academic work
• Visits to centers of interest related to the subjects of the own Degree.

Programme

The programme consists of the following modules:

1. Asymmetry, hybrid threats and security (30 hours)
   • Global security and asymmetric threats
   • Terrorism, radicalization, religious and violent extremism
   • Human security and resilience
   • Hybrid warfare and hybrid threats
   • International communication
2. Digital environment, cyber defense and cyber security policies (50 hours)
   • Cyberspace: a new dimension of security for information and communication
   • Vulnerabilities, risks and threats in the domain of cyberspace
   • Cyber defense, cyber security and cyber hygiene policies
   • Cyberspace and critical infrastructure: a new scenario for hybrid threats
3. Propaganda, disinformation and deception (50 hours)
   • Attitude, behavior and public opinion
   • Cognitive and heuristic biases
   • Overt and covert propaganda
   • Misinformation and strategic deception
   • Speech analysis
4. Intelligence and Strategic Planning (50 hours)
   • Make informed decisions
   • Information sources and evaluation
   • Analysis and intelligence production
5. Communication strategy and tactics (50 hours)
   • Target audiences
   • Definition of communication objectives and strategy
   • Public diplomacy
   • Communication of influence: techniques
   • Evaluation and measurement of effects
6. Simulations and games (40 hours)
   • Workshops
   • Role-playing simulations
   • War games
7. Scheduled visits (15 hours)
   • Visits to security and defense institutions and organizations related to the contents addressed in the program
8. Academic Work (50 hours)
   • Preparation and presentation of 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

• Modality: remote
• Start date: January 16, 2026
• Finish date: October 2026
• Schedule: Wednesday and Thursday from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.

Reservation of Place and Enrollment

• Title: Specialist in Communication, Strategic, Hybrid Threats and Security
• Start date: September 23, 2022
• Finish date: July 22, 2023
• Pre-registration period: October 1 to January 10, 2026
• Enrollment Deadline: January 1
• Title price: 2000
• Number of places: 50 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 submit the following documentation:

• 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.