Online Master of Arts in Global Security – Irregular Warfare

Are you interested in solving complex issues in global security and modern warfare? Accelerate your career with a Master of Arts in global security with a concentration in irregular warfare online from Arizona State University. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to navigate cooperation and competition between great powers in the 21st century.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 08/22/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 10

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 30

Degree questions, answered.

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Prepare to meet the challenges of irregular warfare

In this program, you’ll learn how contemporary tactics of war and security threats impact all aspects of life. You’ll also gain insight into the strategies of irregular warfare, great power competition and the ways gray-zone warfare impacts modern conflict. Elements of irregular warfare you’ll explore include:

  • Cyber and kinetic action.
  • Economic statecraft.
  • Information warfare.
  • Insurgency and counterinsurgency.
  • Narrative warfare.
  • Proxy wars.
  • Terrorism.
  • Weaponized interdependence.

You’ll graduate equipped to drive policy-oriented solutions to conflicts in regional, national and international contexts. Additionally, an interdisciplinary focus will prepare you for roles in a complicated security environment characterized by powerful nations who want to compete, but avoid full-scale war.

The skills you’ll develop

This irregular warfare master’s concentration will build your knowledge of the economic, political, informational and technological tools of global competition. You’ll also gain insight into the complexities of responding to conflict with strength while maintaining peace. Upon completing the program, you’ll be equipped to confront security challenges domestically and abroad.

Your courses will combine theory and practical application to build a comprehensive understanding of modern conflict. Additionally, you’ll gain a set of transferable skills, such as:

  • Conflict analysis and resolution.
  • Cultural competence.
  • Critical and strategic thinking.
  • Narrative communication in the context of irregular warfare.
  • Research and writing.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program is ideal for those working in security roles across the public and private sectors. It’s also a good fit for military service members and veterans who want to advance in their positions or improve their career prospects post-military service. As technological innovation occurs, practitioners in every industry from warfare and diplomacy to economics and international business must have an understanding of today's complex global security landscape.

Note: While this irregular warfare master’s concentration of our global security program online is popular for those with a military background, current or previous service is not a requirement. Other backgrounds that may be applicable include journalism/war correspondence, security policy analysis, consulting in global and cyber security and more.

Will my diploma say ‘online’?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”

Global security and irregular warfare courses

Courses in this program are interactive and include an examination of case studies, policy discussions and critical-thought exercises. Designed for flexibility, you’ll choose from a variety of concentration and elective courses that allow you to explore your interests. Topics may include terrorism and insurgency, great power competition, U.S. politics of security, the future of war and more.


Core

War, Conflict and Security


Concentration

Adaptation and Military Innovation Since the Cold War


Concentration

Governance in Post-Conflict and Transitional Contexts


Concentration

Narrative Conflict


Concentration

Proxy Warfare, Strategic Thinking, History and Operational Arts


Concentration

Understanding Great Power Competition


Concentration

Urbanization


Concentration

Terrorism and Insurgency


Advance your career in the military, diplomacy and more

This irregular warfare master’s concentration can complement roles that involve assessing, analyzing and solving problems related to irregular warfare. You may follow a variety of career paths, such as advanced military roles, positions in intelligence agencies, security consulting and more. Additional fields this program supports include, but aren’t limited to:

Conflict zones and post-war reconstruction

Global/international relations

Humanitarian and human rights work

Intelligence

Policy analysis

Regional affairs

Risk assessment

Security consulting

Learn from leading experts and researchers in irregular warfare

Global security courses are taught by world-class experts, from distinguished scholars to established professionals. You’ll learn from top government officials, retired military, award-winning journalists and top scholars in conflict, cyber warfare, strategy, global politics, international justice, humanitarian assistance and more. These experts include:

  • Ajit Maan.
  • Andrew Maher.
  • Candace Rondeaux.
  • Isaiah Wilson.
  • Peter Bergen.

Learn from leading experts and researchers in irregular warfare

Global security courses are taught by world-class experts, from distinguished scholars to established professionals. You’ll learn from top government officials, retired military, award-winning journalists and top scholars in conflict, cyber warfare, strategy, global politics, international justice, humanitarian assistance and more. These experts include:

  • Ajit Maan.
  • Andrew Maher.
  • Candace Rondeaux.
  • Isaiah Wilson.
  • Peter Bergen.

How to apply

Applicants to the irregular warfare master’s concentration must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Application requirements

Additional admission information

The largest and most diverse college at ASU

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to be socially aware, critical thinkers and global citizens.

25,500+


currently enrolled students.

$170


million in research expenditures in 2022.

23


interdisciplinary schools and departments.

100+


undergraduate degrees.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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