Program Overview

Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.)

The United Nations delineates seven issues related to human welfare that fall under its human security framework: economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, personal security, community security, and political security. Violent conflict threatens all of these. This unique Global Conflict and Human Security online master's degree program (GCHS) reflects global discussions about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and a humanitarian-development-peace nexus as an approach for creating holistic programs that address chronic threats to human security, such as poverty and civil unrest, and contribute to social harmony and peace.

Program Description

The Online GCHS program offers students the opportunity to acquire skills in international development policy and practice to build resilient communities in places affected by humanitarian crises. This includes all aspects of program design, monitoring and evaluation, peace building, and policy analysis. The GCHS program is a ten-course, thirty-credit program that students can complete in just one year, or two years with part-time enrollment.

Program Features

• The GCHS program is fully online and is ideal for working professionals.
• Students study with international development practitioners and faculty who bring strong analysis and best practices to their learning.
• The program starts in the fall, spring, or summer, and students can graduate in as little as 12 months of full-time participation.
• Students can choose the Project Management Track to learn best practices in project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, or the Policy & Administration Track to hone their skills in public policy analysis, program evaluation, and public administration.
• The GRE is not required to apply for this degree program.

Program Delivery & Location

Core academic courses for the GCHS program are offered entirely online, with choices for taking optional elective courses in person on the UNH campuses. Students who choose to participate in the Washington DC Colloquium experience will join students from other Carsey programs for a week in Washington, DC.

Curriculum

The non-thesis MS degree can be completed in one year of full-time participation. Students must complete ten courses totaling thirty credits to graduate. All courses are offered online. Students must choose one of the following tracks: Project Management or Policy & Administration.

Project Management Track

• BASIC Core Curriculum Courses:
  • GCHS 810: Conflict & Human Security (3 credits)
  • GCHS 820: Global Governance (3 credits)
• ADVANCED Core Curriculum Courses:
  • GCHS 830: International Development & Human Security (3 credits)
  • GCHS 840: Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus (3 credits)
  • GCHS 850: Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State (3 credits)
• EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Courses:
  • DPP 980: Introduction to Community Development Projects (3 credits)
  • DPP 981: Project Design and Planning (3 credits)
  • DPP 982: Project Implementation and Monitoring (3 credits)
  • DPP 983: Project Evaluation (3 credits)
• ELECTIVE Courses:
  • GCHS-Approved Elective Course (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 30

Policy & Administration Track

• BASIC Core Curriculum Courses:
  • GCHS 810: Conflict & Human Security (3 credits)
  • GCHS 820: Global Governance (3 credits)
  • PA 908A: Capstone in Public Administration (3 credits)
• ADVANCED Core Curriculum Courses:
  • GCHS 830: International Development & Human Security (3 credits)
  • GCHS 840: Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus (3 credits)
  • GCHS 850: Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State (3 credits)
• EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Courses:
  • DPP 980: Introduction to Community Development Projects (3 credits)
  • DPP 981: Project Design and Planning (3 credits)
  • PA 804: Policy and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
• ELECTIVE Courses:
  • GCHS-Approved Elective Course (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 30

Plan of Study

Project Management Track (Full Time)

• Fall (Term 1 & 2):
  • GCHS 810: Conflict & Human Security (3 credits)
  • DPP 980: Introduction to Community Development Projects (3 credits)
  • GCHS 830: International Development & Human Security (3 credits)
  • DPP 981: Project Design and Planning (3 credits)
• Spring (Term 3 & 4):
  • GCHS 820: Global Governance (3 credits)
  • DPP 982: Project Implementation and Monitoring (3 credits)
  • GCHS 850: Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State (3 credits)
  • DPP 983: Project Evaluation (3 credits)
• Summer (Term 5):
  • GCHS 840: Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus (3 credits)
  • GCHS-Approved Elective Course (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 30

Policy & Administration Track (Full Time)

• Fall (Term 1 & 2):
  • GCHS 810: Conflict & Human Security (3 credits)
  • DPP 980: Introduction to Community Development Projects (3 credits)
  • GCHS 830: International Development & Human Security (3 credits)
  • DPP 981: Project Design and Planning (3 credits)
• Spring (Term 3 & 4):
  • GCHS 820: Global Governance (3 credits)
  • PA 804: Policy and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
  • GCHS 850: Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State (3 credits)
  • PA 908A: Capstone in Public Administration (3 credits)
• Summer (Term 5):
  • GCHS 840: Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus (3 credits)
  • GCHS-Approved Elective Course (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 30

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master's programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor's degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master's degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master's degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor's degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor's degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor's degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor's degree, and then officially matriculate into the master's or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor's degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master's Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master's Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g., higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate programs:

• Recreation Management & Policy: Outdoor Leadership and Management (B.S.)
• Recreation Management & Policy: Program and Event Management (B.S.)
• Recreation Management & Policy: Therapeutic Recreation (B.S.)
• Global Studies (Minor)
• Terrorism Studies (Minor)
• Business and Technology
• Health Care, Human Services, and Behavioral Science
• Liberal Arts, Communications, and General Education

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MS in Global Conflict and Human Security, students will be able to:

• Explain competing schools of thought on relevant issues in key disciplines (for ex., peace and conflict studies, international development studies)
• Conduct conflict analyses and develop policy recommendations
• Conduct needs assessments and analyze the interrelatedness of distinct human security domains (economic security, food security, health security environmental security, personal security, community security, and political security)
• Apply theory to practice by designing humanitarian, development, and/or peacebuilding programs
• Collect data and perform data analysis using qualitative and quantitative methodologies
• Implement a development program (if applicable)
• Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of humanitarian, development and/or peacebuilding programs
• Communicate professionally and effectively across different cultures and social groups.