Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Advanced Studies in International Security

The Master of Advanced Studies in International Security is a program designed to enhance participants' understanding of peace and stability in national, regional, and global contexts. This program responds to the changing needs of policy-practitioners and reflects a transforming security landscape.

Objectives

• Build knowledge on focused issue areas including state human security, conflict management, terrorism, environment, health, and more, across national, regional, and global contexts.
• Enhance the ability to identify the evolution of key challenges, critically analyze their interlinked nature, and assess the effectiveness of current policy responses.
• Strengthen leadership skill-set within a multi-cultural and cross-sectoral environment, integrating into a wide community of experts and policymakers in international security.

Audience

The program is designed for international security professionals who wish to enhance their capabilities and academic qualifications to advance in their career in government, international organizations, and all agencies (private, public, civil society) engaged in peace and security-related policy-making.

Programme Structure

Modules

• The Evolving Dimensions of Security Policy: Provides an overview of the current international security environment and its leadership through an analysis of different concepts and dimensions necessary to understand the dynamics of foreign and security policy.
• 21st Century Security Challenges: Focuses on the evolving role of traditional and emerging international security leaders, in addition to conflict management and transnational security challenges.
• A World of Regions?: Allows participants to explore security challenges and actors in multiple regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, the Euro-Atlantic area, and developments in the Asia-Pacific.
• Issues and Concepts in International Security: Provides a series of conceptual lectures to complement and reinforce, through a theoretical approach, the more policy-orientated approach of the first three modules on subjects including critical theories, geo-economics, international law, political philosophy, theories of European integration, religion, and international security.
• MAS Research Paper: Allows participants to develop their research and analytical capacity through a 10,000-12,000 word thesis, supported by research methods seminars.

Pedagogical Method

This intensive 8-month course engages participants through academic workshops, classroom analysis, peer-to-peer networking, and individual skills enhancement.

Admission Criteria

• A university degree or equivalent.
• At least several years of professional experience, ideally in a security policy-related field.
• Proficiency in English, the working language of the course.

Application File

• Copy of passport/ID.
• An updated CV.
• A letter of motivation (800 words max), including objectives for the program, years of experience in peace and security, and how fees and living costs will be covered.
• A copy of relevant university degree(s) and grade transcripts.
• Two letters of recommendation signed by former/current supervisors outlining their recommendation for participation in the course.
• A writing sample of 1500 words on a specified topic related to international security.

Fees and Financial Support

• The program fee is CHF 15,000.
• Financial support options are available, including the "ch鋂ue annuel de formation."

Diploma Awarded

Participants who complete the program successfully will be awarded a Master of Advanced Studies in International Security (60 ECTS credits) by the Global Studies Institute of the University of Geneva in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Partnerships and Collaboration

The program is a collaboration between the University of Geneva and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), leveraging the exceptional academic resources and internationally recognized training expertise of both institutions.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

The program contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to peace, justice, and strong institutions, by enhancing the capabilities of professionals in the field of international security.