Global Security and Competitive Statecraft (Certificate)
Program Description
Certificate Awarded: Global Security and Competitive Statecraft (Certificate)
The certificate in global security and competitive statecraft is an interdisciplinary program where students are trained to critically engage contemporary international security issues in a comprehensive manner.
The program is based on four key pillars: enabling innovative strategic thinking, developing analytic tools, supporting critical interdisciplinary engagement, and encouraging flexible and resilient approaches to the inherently complex challenges of current and future global security.
Program faculty have extensive experience as practitioners in the field of security and foreign policy. They bring their deep understanding of the issues to rigorous and interesting coursework that allows students to develop a sophisticated understanding of the complex global, political environment in which political actors compete.
Students may pursue the certificate from anywhere in the world, study while working full time or part time, and they may advance at their own pace.
In this program, students can:
- Advance their careers in global security, international relations, intelligence, diplomacy, and other related fields. In an age where global security impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, the possibilities are endless. See what past graduates have done with their MA in Global Security degree.
- Learn from and network with leading professionals in the global security arena. Our highly engaged faculty include top advisors, military strategists, humanitarian leaders, award-winning journalists and renowned scholars. See who you’ll be learning from.
- Connect with fellow students all over the world, engage in weekly discussions, attend exclusive events with faculty and students, and gain access to our growing alumni networks in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. See what events you’ll have access to as a student or graduate of the program.
- Work closely with the Future Security Initiative (FSI), a collaborative research & policy hub linking ASU and New America, that includes experts and thought leaders in Washington, D.C. Learn more about FSI.
Degree Requirements
15 credit hours
Required Core (3 credit hours)
GSC 512 Global Trends (3)
Restricted Electives (12 credit hours)
GSC 503 Future of War (3)
GSC 509 Emerging Technologies and Global Security (3)
GSC 561 Cybersecurity Threats and Trends (3)
GSC 598 Special Topics (3)
IAL 504 U.S. Diplomacy in Action: The Embassy Country Team (3)
IAL 505 Key Issues in Today's Global Economy (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
For restricted electives, students take four courses from the restricted list for a total of 12 credit hours. Students should contact the academic unit for eligible GSC 598 topics. Other GSC and IAL courses may be used with approval of the academic unit.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they 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.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- one letter of recommendation
- personal statement
- professional resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Applicants must submit at least one letter of recommendation for admission. Applicants may submit additional letters.
The application requires a one- to three-page personal statement.
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Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyze contemporary trends and how they impact the global security environment.
- Formulate a position on a contemporary global security issue that acknowledges the complexity and diversity of security challenges, highlighting the need for flexible and resilient strategies.
Career Opportunities
This certificate is designed to aid professional advancement in government, military, nonprofit and private sector careers.
Graduates have achieved timely and authoritative practitioner insights into the complexity of the contemporary global security environment. They also have developed critical analytic skills, improving their capacity to succeed in multiple career paths related to domestic and international security.
Career area examples include:
- global security strategist (public and private sector)
- intelligence and risk assessment analyst (public and private sector)
- policy analyst
- security consultant
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- spgs@asu.edu
- 480/965-8563