Online Master of Arts in Global Security

The Master of Arts in global security is an interdisciplinary and thought-provoking program, linking serious ideas with practical case studies. In this security studies master’s program, you’ll be trained to critically engage global conflict and international security in a comprehensive manner.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 10

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 30

Degree questions, answered.

Have questions about the Global Security (MA)? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

* Indicates a required field

This is a required field.
This is a required field.
This is a required field.
Invalid phone number. Please try again.

What is global security studies?

Global security studies focuses on a broad range of academic disciplines, from anthropology and sociology to history and religion. These courses provide context for current and emerging domestic and international situations. Forward-thinking programs allow you to prepare for the future of worldwide security. To do this, they place a strong emphasis on growing trends like cyber warfare, great power competition and compound security threats. Coursework also studies the roles of diplomacy, political economy and other social patterns that impact human security. These disciplines may enhance your ability to understand and respond to new developments.

Global security studies provide the foundation necessary for policy analysis and strategic thinking. The coursework may offer a more holistic understanding of these topics and help you build on your existing professional experience.

Why study global security at ASU?

 

ASU Online’s Master of Arts in global security program was developed by the Center on the Future of War, in collaboration with the School of Politics and Global Studies. The program brings together committed professionals from diverse backgrounds and top faculty to create a highly accessible graduate program focused on developing key skills and essential knowledge for career advancement in a variety of fields.

You’ll work directly with nationally and internationally recognized professionals, such as ASU-affiliated faculty and experts at New America, our partner DC-based think tank, which includes academics, journalists, former high ranking government officials and former members of the military. These experts offer a firsthand perspective on some of the most important global security concerns in recent years.

Additionally, you can tailor this degree to your interests by adding a cybersecurity concentration.

What skills will I gain from this degree?

 

The Master of Arts in global security empowers graduates with the capacity to understand and analyze the complex nature of political conflict, shifting global challenges and pressing security challenges, while developing specific tools, skills and insights to influence appropriate policies and programs. Through your coursework, you’ll learn to critically assess key global security ideas, concepts and trends. You’ll also gain a range of valuable skills, including:

  • Academic and professional-level writing skills.
  • Analytic problem solving.
  • Critical thinking.

Upon graduating from the global security studies program, you’ll be equipped with the intellectual foundations and analytic skills needed to make substantial contributions to multiple fields, such as military, humanitarian assistance, cybersecurity, diplomacy, law enforcement and international human rights.

Does my global security degree 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.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Learn more about this master's in global security.

Watch video

Global security courses

This security studies master’s degree is made up of one core course, electives and a capstone. Topics you’ll study range from U.S. politics of security and security studies to emerging technologies in security and global trends. Courses may include:


Core

War, Conflict and Security


Elective

Security Studies


Elective

Future of War


Elective

Understanding Conflict and War


Elective

Law of War


Elective

U.S. Politics of Security


Elective

Global Politics of Security


Elective

Comparative Studies of Conflict


What can I do with a security studies master’s degree?

Global security graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of industries, including defense, homeland security, human rights, intelligence, public policy, risk analysis and more. Career examples include, but are not limited to:

Consultant

Counterterrorism specialist

Cybersecurity strategist

Geopolitical analyst

Humanitarian representative

Intelligence analyst

Intelligence specialist

Military officer

Policy analyst

Learn from the leaders in global security

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.
  • Candace Rondeaux.
  • David Kilcullen.
  • LTG(R) Robert Schmidle.
  • Peter Bergen.
  • Peter W. Singer.
  • Sarah Holewinski.

Learn from the leaders in global security

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.
  • Candace Rondeaux.
  • David Kilcullen.
  • LTG(R) Robert Schmidle.
  • Peter Bergen.
  • Peter W. Singer.
  • Sarah Holewinski.

Security studies master’s program admission requirements

Applicants to the Master of Arts in global security program must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Application requirements

Additional admission information

An academic institution with a rich history of interdisciplinary study

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.

$140 million


in research expenditures in 2018.

23


interdisciplinary schools and departments.

95+


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.

You might also be interested in

Master of Leadership and Management (MLM) – Thunderbird

Graduate

Master of Leadership and Management (MLM) – Thunderbird


Organizational Leadership (MS)

Graduate

Organizational Leadership (MS)


Global Security – Cybersecurity (MA)

Graduate

Global Security – Cybersecurity (MA)


MBA – Master of Business Administration

Graduate

MBA – Master of Business Administration