Program Overview

Master of Strategic Studies

Our program places the study of war, defence, and security issues within the context of past and present human experience.

MSS Admissions Requirements

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, CMSS requires:

• A four-year bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of at least 3.40 on a four-point scale.
• A writing sample.
• A research proposal.
• English language proficiency:
  • TOEFL with a minimum score of 97 (Internet-based test)
  • 7.0 on the IELTS test
  • 68 on the PTE test
  • a CAEL score of 70 (with no section less than 70)
  • a Duolingo score of 135 (with no subscore below 115)
  • a Cambridge Proficiency score of 191
  • This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate with a minimum grade of "A-" in each course.
• Two letters of reference.
• For applicants in the thesis-based MSS, email confirmation from a potential supervisor who is interested in supervising the student's work is required.

Admissions are open October 1 and close January 15 of the following year. New students are admitted in the Fall of each year. There is no winter admittance.

MSS Course-based Program Requirements

The course-based Master of Strategic Studies is a continuous one-year program with no scheduled break. Students who do not enrol in courses continuously will be withdrawn from the program for failure to register unless they are on an approved leave of absence.

Core Courses

MSS Course-based students will complete 24 units of coursework consisting of:

• 12 units of core courses:
  • STST/HTST 655 Classics of Strategy
  • POLI 685 Strategic Studies
  • STST 647 21st Century Security
  • STST 610 Questions and Methods
  • STST 612 Questions and Methods II
• STST653 (3 units) research paper

Elective Courses

• 9 units of additional graduate courses. These classes are subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director and the student's supervisor.
• HTST637 - Topics in Military History
• POLI619 - War and Interpretation
• POLI633 - US Security Policy
• POLI643 - Law and Armed Conflict
• STST611 - Canadian Military Studies
• STST613 - The Canadian Military in the First World War
• STST649 - Special Topics in Military, Security and Strategic Studies

MSS Thesis-based Program Requirements

Students in the MSS Thesis program are expected to complete their programs in two years but have a maximum of four years to complete their program requirements.

Thesis Core Courses

MSS, thesis-based students will complete a total of 21 units of coursework consisting of:

• 12 units of core courses:
  • STST/HTST 655 Classics of Strategy
  • POLI 685 Strategic Studies
  • STST 610 Questions and Methods I
  • STST 612 Questions and Methods II
  • STST647 21st Century Security Issues
• 9 units of additional graduate courses.

Thesis Elective Courses

• 9 units of additional graduate courses which may include, but are not limited to:
  • HTST637 - Topics in Military History
  • POLI619 - War and Interpretation
  • POLI633 - US Security Policy
  • POLI643 - Law and Armed Conflict
  • STST611 - Canadian Military Studies
  • STST613 - The Canadian Military in the First World War
  • STST649 - Special Topics in Military, Security and Strategic Studies

Internships

During your CMSS Master's degree, combine academic studies with real-world work experience by securing a Transformative Talent Internship. Placements are not guaranteed.

Skills Internship Option

This is an extra to degree option available to students in both the MSS Thesis-based and Course-based program upon completion of all degree requirements. This option is offered through the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Students may take a Transformative Talent Internship with an employer that is designed to explore career options and develop practical skills.

Please note: While CMSS will provide as much assistance as we can, students are solely responsible for finding an internship placement. CMSS does not guarantee that students will find an internship.