Master of Arts in Security and Defence Studies

The Master of Arts in Security and Defence Studies (MASD) is an interdisciplinary, French and English, practice-oriented degree that provides students with a comprehensive approach to security and defense. Because working in this field requires an understanding of the connections between international, national and human security, and because security and defence issues touch upon several different disciplines, the MASD will offer an interdisciplinary degree that examines the multiple dimensions of security as well as the practical challenges of preventing and responding to threats. Students will also benefit from unique opportunities to interact with Ottawa based security professionals. Students will emerge from this multi-faceted degree with an advanced understanding of contemporary issues pertaining to international, national, and human security, as well as the analytical and practical skills needed to succeed in the security and defence fields.The MASD is a course-based master’s degree. Students will be required to complete two compulsory courses and eight additional courses from a list of electives, for a total of 30 units. Fulltime students in the MASD will be expected to complete the degree requirements within 12 months. Part-time students will be expected to complete the program requirements within two years.

To qualify for admission, candidates must hold an honours undergraduate degree (or its equivalent) in political science, sociology, economics, international relations, criminology, peace and conflict studies, international development, anthropology or a related field, with at least a 75% (B+) average (calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines). If applicants do not have degrees in these fields, candidates that have relevant work experience in international, national, and/or human security issues will also be considered. Applicants with degrees in other disciplines may be considered, depending on the relevance of their previous degree to the MASD program.As a condition of admission, all applicants must be able to speak and write in either French or English. Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of official language proficiency. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the “Admission” section of the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.