Global Security (Irregular Warfare), MA
Gain access to the insights of globally recognized thought leaders and build specialized expertise. Explore how states and non-state actors compete through insurgency, proxy warfare, influence and economic statecraft below the threshold of conventional war.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Global Security (Irregular Warfare), MA program description
The irregular warfare concentration in the Master of Arts program in global security enables you to focus your studies on components of irregular warfare, including proxy wars, counterinsurgency, narrative warfare and other features of modern conflict. You learn from top faculty, including international leaders in the field, seasoned scholars and skilled practitioners.
The courses in this program provide you with a relevant and continually updated understanding of the increasingly important role played by irregular warfare in the complex and competitive global security environment. This program balances the theoretical and practical aspects of irregular warfare through rigorous scholarly work with historical and contemporary case studies, and classes integrate case studies, policy exercises and critical thinking to prepare you for career advancement.
You progress at your own pace; the program can be completed in one year or over a six-year period. You may pursue the degree while working full time or part time.
Why study global security (irregular warfare) at ASU?
Rather than focusing exclusively on military operations or a single type of conflict, this concentration examines the full spectrum of irregular competition shaping today's security environment. You study how military, political, economic, informational and governance tools are integrated to achieve strategic objectives.
Because the concentration is embedded within the broader MA in global security, you first develop an interdisciplinary understanding of contemporary security challenges before tailoring your specialization through a broad selection of irregular warfare courses. This flexibility allows you to emphasize topics most relevant to your professional interests while remaining grounded in a coherent conceptual framework.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (GSC 550)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Concentration (12 credit hours) Restricted Electives (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
GSC 501 War, Conflict and Security (3)
GSC 510 Governance in Post-conflict and Transitional Contexts (3)
GSC 511 Terrorism and Insurgency (3)
GSC 571 Narrative Conflict (3)
GSC 572 Proxy Warfare, Strategic Thinking, History and Operational Arts (3)
GSC 573 Understanding Great Power Competition (3)
GSC 598 Special Topics (3)
GSC 550 Capstone (3)
For electives, students take coursework from a restricted list for a total of 12 credit hours. Students should contact the academic unit for the approved course list. Other coursework may be used with the approval of the academic unit.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Analyze a warfare case study applying key theories and concepts.
- Evaluate patterns of conflict to explain the response of actors.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different operational approaches to irregular warfare
Analyze a warfare case study applying key theories and concepts.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Admission Information The personal statement must be two to three pages.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 07/25 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 12/11 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 04/18 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
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.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this global security (irregular warfare) master's degree prepares you for
Graduates have a grounded and relevant understanding of major global trends as well as critical analytic skills, improving their capacity to succeed in multiple career paths related to domestic and international security.
Career area examples include:
- conflict zone and postwar reconstruction
- consulting for private, public and nongovernmental organizations acting in conflict zones
- global security intelligence (public and private sector)
- military advancement
- risk assessment (public and private sector)
- security policy analysis
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Politics and Global Studies
|
COOR 6797
spgs@asu.edu
480-965-8563
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
