Program Overview
Global and national security rests on a broad definition ranging from nuclear issues to natural resources, humanitarian and health challenges, as well as governance, legal, policy, technology, and cybersecurity concerns.
Having an intellectual foundation for understanding the threats to national security, particularly in technology and global “commons” such as cyberspace, climate, food & water, and energy resources, and their role in international relations is crucial to the ability to analyze and meet the challenges and concerns of the 21st century.
The Professional Master of Science in Global and National Security (PMS-GNS) degree is a 33-credit-hour program that provides our graduates with such a foundation. Because it is fully online, the program is ideal for working students.
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Learning Goals
The PMS-GNS is designed to prepare individuals for security policy leadership positions by developing competencies in;
- Systematic analytic and critical thinking about national and international security
- Understanding and applying analytical frameworks for national security policy analysis using multiple approaches
- Developing fluency in describing the relationship between technology and national security
- Framing current and emerging national security threats, challenges, and opportunities
- Evaluating alternative policy options and anticipating the likelihood of success as well as undesirable outcomes
- Communicating strategic national security policy objectives and proposals to a diverse audience of policymakers, policy executives, and the public
Admissions
To qualify for admission to the Global & National Security Professional Master of Science online degree program the following are required:
- BA or BS in any major with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
- Unofficial transcript (submit to PMS-GNS application; this is in addition to submission to UNM registrar)
- A letter of intent is required and will also serve as a writing sample
- A current resume is required
- Three letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, mentors, managers, or employers. It is helpful to have at least one address the applicant's time management and ability to stay on task
- No GRE required
- This is a Professional Master's degree therefore no thesis is required
- We welcome students from outside the U.S. but do not offer support for students to travel and live in the USA.
Application Process
- Apply to UNM Graduate Studies.
- Apply to GNSPI
- Once admitted, meet with GNSPI Advisor to plan a Program of Studies
- Register for courses
Degree Requirements
The Professional Master's Degree in Global and National Security (PMS-GNS) requires the successful completion of 33 credit hours, comprising 15 required credit hours (5 courses x 3 credit hours each) and 18 elective credit hours.
Please note that the courses which make up this program of study (POS) are online and have no regular lectures, although some courses will have synchronous discussions. Success is based on students' individual efforts guided by the course syllabus, weekly readings and discussion questions on UNM Canvas, and a substantive research or policy analysis paper. Most classes will also require an executive briefing in a hybrid format during the final exam period.
Required courses — 15 credit hours (beginning Fall 2023):
- GLNS500 Intro Global & Natl Security
- GLNS520 Human Decision Making
- GLNS540 Globalization & National Security
- GLNS570 Fundamentals of National Security Law
- GLNS580 Amer Natl Sec Policy & Procedure
Examples of elective courses — 18 credit hours:
- GLNS510 Cyber & National Security
- GLNS511 Intro Directed Energy
- GLNS530 Environmental Security Energy
- GLNS531 Environ Security Food & Water
- GLNS560 Global Nuclear Security
- GLNS561 Nuclear Safeguards & Nonproliferation
- GLNS 575 Global Health & National Security I
- GLNS 576 Global Health & National Security II
- GLNS 581 Issues in American National Security
- GLNS 590 U.S.-Latin America Strategic Partnership: A National Security Perspective
- GLNS 591 U.S.-Latin America National Security
- GLNS595 Topics in Global & National Security
