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Security Studies at KSU
M. A. in Security Studies
This is a rigorous, interdisciplinary, and professionally-oriented program of graduate studies. The resulting degree provides a broad, analytical perspective on national and international security issues. Coursework concentrates on issues of strategy, politics, economics, and society from both historical and social science perspectives.
Degree requirements
The M.A. in Security Studies requires 30 hours of graduate-level work, consisting of 18 hours of required courses and additional graduate-level electives.
Up to 12 hours of transfer credit from other graduate-level work may be applied. Students at Fort Leavenworth for ILE can normally transfer those 12 hours from their ILE work. The Security Studies admissions committee will evaluate the suitability of transfer credits from other institutions.
Up to 12 hours of transfer credit from other graduate-level work may be applied. Students at Fort Leavenworth for ILE can normally transfer those 12 hours from their ILE work. The Security Studies admissions committee will evaluate the suitability of transfer credits from other institutions.
Required Courses
1.Fundamentals of Security (3 hours)--HIST 812 / POLSC 812
This cross-listed, interdisciplinary course will introduce students to major themes covered in the MA program. It is designed to provide students with foundations for the MA’ s four core courses. It must be completed before enrolling in the core courses, typically in the summer before beginning the program proper. Its content will be largely the same from year to year, though individual instructors may tailor it to some degree. Students will read key texts on international security, military history, and strategy, as well as works on the theory and research practice of history and political science. They will write essays on the assigned readings, participate in on-line synchronous and asynchronous discussions, and compose a final paper or take a final exam on the issues raised by the course.
2. History and Security of Pivotal Regions (6 hours).
Students will take at least two courses on the history of regions of central importance to international affairs. These courses may focus, for example, on East Asia (HIST 850), Latin America (HIST 851), the Middle East (HIST 852), Russia and Central Asia (HIST 853), or India and South Asia (HIST 854).
3. International Security and Transnational Security (6 hours)--POLSC 813 and 814
POLSC 813--International Security--focuses on traditional issues of the causes of war, deterrence, the relevance/role of international institutions, arms proliferation, the politics of international intervention, and conflict resolution. POLSC 814--Terrorism and Transnational Security--covers less traditional security issues which have become increasingly prominent in recent years. Examples include the unique context of security problems in the developing world, demographic developments and internal/external conflict, environmental issues and their relation to security, economic globalization and security, post-conflict reconstruction, and humanitarian emergencies.
POLSC 813--International Security--focuses on traditional issues of the causes of war, deterrence, the relevance/role of international institutions, arms proliferation, the politics of international intervention, and conflict resolution. POLSC 814--Terrorism and Transnational Security--covers less traditional security issues which have become increasingly prominent in recent years. Examples include the unique context of security problems in the developing world, demographic developments and internal/external conflict, environmental issues and their relation to security, economic globalization and security, post-conflict reconstruction, and humanitarian emergencies.
4. Methodology and Research Courses (2 + 1 hours) HIST 810 / POLSC 810 and HIST 815 / POLSC 815.
These cross-listed, interdisciplinary courses are intended to prepare students to do research in security studies. HIST 810 / POLSC 810 covers theories, methods, and research design; HIST 815 / POLSC 815 is the culminating experience of the MA program and involves the research and writing of a publishable quality research paper of roughly 30-35 pages in length.
The program is designed for 810 and 815 to be taken together in the student's final semester. Some students find, however, that the theory and methodology training in 810 is more helpful to them early in their coursework, particularly if they have limited previous background in history or political science.
As a result, some students choose to separate 810 and 815, taking 810 early in their coursework and 815 at the end. Students interested in this option should consult with the Director of Security Studies.
The program is designed for 810 and 815 to be taken together in the student's final semester. Some students find, however, that the theory and methodology training in 810 is more helpful to them early in their coursework, particularly if they have limited previous background in history or political science.
As a result, some students choose to separate 810 and 815, taking 810 early in their coursework and 815 at the end. Students interested in this option should consult with the Director of Security Studies.
Electives:
Students choose elective courses so that their required courses, transfer credits, and electives total 30 hours. Those elective are typically chosen from other courses in history and political science, though students can and do take relevant courses from other departments as well. For advice on electives, students should consult with the Director of Security Studies or their supervisory committee.
Students choose elective courses so that their required courses, transfer credits, and electives total 30 hours. Those elective are typically chosen from other courses in history and political science, though students can and do take relevant courses from other departments as well. For advice on electives, students should consult with the Director of Security Studies or their supervisory committee.
Supervisory committees:
Each student will be supervised by a master’s committee consisting of three members of the Security Studies graduate faculty. As in any graduate program, adjunct professors are eligible to serve on committees. For students at Fort Leavenworth, the MA committee will normally be made up of the Director of Security Studies and the two faculty members teaching 810 / 815. Students in Manhattan may organize their committee the same way, or alternatively may establish a committee made up faculty of their choosing who agree to serve.
Each student will be supervised by a master’s committee consisting of three members of the Security Studies graduate faculty. As in any graduate program, adjunct professors are eligible to serve on committees. For students at Fort Leavenworth, the MA committee will normally be made up of the Director of Security Studies and the two faculty members teaching 810 / 815. Students in Manhattan may organize their committee the same way, or alternatively may establish a committee made up faculty of their choosing who agree to serve.
