Admissions

Master of Arts in International and Civil Security

About the Program

The 21st century combines the promise of great progress with the resurgence of old dangers and the emergence of new ones.  Those dangers include terrorism, warfare, weapons of mass destruction, and natural disasters.   Some of these dangers are rooted in technology, others in society, and still others in nature itself.  Attaining the strategic vision of the UAE will require deep understanding of those threats, and the knowledge and skills to address them.

This unique Masters Program is being offered by Khalifa University’s Institute of International and Civil Security.  The Institute’s mission is to become a leading academic center for supporting research, teaching and policy analysis in the field of security studies.  In addition to what takes place inside the classroom, the Institute hosts speakers, workshops, and other events, and works with other institutions – within government, academia, and the private sector – to advance security research, education, training, and policy-making.

Program Goals

  • To provide current and future security professionals with sophisticated knowledge of the U.A.E., regional and global security environment.
  • To provide current and future security professionals with the skills to produce, analyze and apply security-related research.
  • To apply higher education and research toward enhancing U.A.E, regional, and international security.

Program Outcomes

Knowledge Outcomes
Our graduates will have demonstrated:

  • Sophisticated knowledge of the international, national, and regional security environment, to include the relevant theories and history of conflict.
  • Sophisticated knowledge of natural and human caused threats to international, national, regional, and civil security.
  • An understanding of the relationships between and within the different levels of government and the private sector relative to international, national, regional and civil security.
  • Sophisticated knowledge of offensive and defensive technologies relevant to international, national, regional, and civil security.

 

Skills Outcomes
Our graduates will have demonstrated:

  • The quantitative and qualitative research and analysis skills needed to contribute to the security field as practitioners, researchers and educators.
  • The written and verbal skills needed to effectively communicate within the fields of international and civil security.
  • The organizational skills needed to contribute to the security field as practitioners, researchers and educators.
  • The skills to apply appropriate technologies to support national, international, and civil security.

Competencies:

  • Our graduates will have the ability to integrate and effectively utilize the theoretical frameworks, knowledge, and skills necessary for contributing to international, national, and civil security.

Career Opportunities

  • Security and Foreign Policy Analysis
  • Intelligence Analysis
  • Academic/Researcher
  • Emergency Management
  • International Humanitarian Assistance
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Cybersecurity
  • Border and Customs
  • Public Health and Safety
  • Private sector security positions

Admission Requirements

The university general admission requirements apply for admission to the MA in International and Civil Security program.

The program will consider applicants from any area of undergraduate specialization.

Conditionally admitted students must produce by the end of the first semester of registration satisfactory evidence that they have the ability to carry out the program of work effectively. This will be assessed as follows:

  • The student must pass all first semester courses, with a minimum pass grade of C in every course, and achieve a semester GPA of at least 3.0.
  • The student must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 79 iBT or its equivalent (e.g. a minimum IELTS score of 6.0) by the end of the first semester of registration.

If the student fails to satisfy the above conditions, then his/her registration will be terminated.

Duration of Study

The minimum period of study will be 1.5 years(3 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of full-time registration and 2.5 years(5 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of part-time registration.

The maximum period of study will be 2 years (4 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of full-time registration and 3 years(6 regular semesters) from the date of first registration in the case of part-time registration. In exceptional cases, an extension of registration may be granted.

Program Structure

Program Components

The MA in International and Civil Security is equivalent to 36 credit-hours. The program consists of two main components:

  • Taught Courses Component

The core coursework is a common curriculum for all students that covers the basic dimensions of both civil security and the broader security context in which civil security planning and policy must occur. It consists of four courses which focus on the major aspects of security including threats and hazards, terrorism, intelligence, and governance. Each core course is three credits, for a total of 12 credits.

Upon completion of the core coursework, students must take an additional four courses in one of the advanced tracks:

  • The Civil Security Track focuses on preparing current and aspiring civil security professionals.
  • The Regional Security Track focuses on preparing current and aspiring policy analysts and senior civilian and military officials. 

Each concentration course is three credits, for a total of 12 credits.

  • Master’s Thesis Component

Upon completion of the advanced track, students will be required to write a Master Thesis which makes an original contribution to the field. The thesis will be based on original research, supported with evidence from relevant secondary sources.. The Master Thesis is a 9 credit course.

Concurrently with the Masters Thesis, students are required to register for IICS 698: Thesis Workshop. This workshop is designed to help M.A. students develop a well-crafted Masters Thesis, sustaining their research and writing agenda throughout the process, and learning about the academic profession as a whole. The Thesis Workshop is intended to be an in depth look at how the students’ particular theses will be developed as well as an overall writing and support group - keeping students in touch and on track while they are writing up their thesis. As such, it is relatively informal. There will be a short presentation at the beginning of each session by the instructor, but the bulk of the class will consist of students sharing their theses, their problems, and their successes for structured and constructive criticism. The Thesis Workshop is a 3 credit course. 

 

Number of Courses and Curricular Offerings

Core Coursework (4 courses, 12 credits)
 
1.       IICS 601: Introduction to International Relations and Security Issues (3 credits)
2.       IICS 602: Introduction to Civil Security (3 credits)
3.       IICS 603: Social Science Research Methods (3 credits)
4.       IICS 604: Regional Security and the Terrorist Threat (3 credits)
 
Tracks: (4 courses, 12 credits)
 
Civil Security Track Options
1.       Select at least TWO of the following courses:
a.       IICS 622: Technology and Civil Security (3 credits)
b.      IICS 624: Creating Integrated Civil Security (3 credits)
c.       IICS 626: Comparative Civil Security Systems (3 credits)
2.       Select TWO courses from the Civil/Regional Security track or the list of electives (3 credits x 2)
 
Regional Security Track Options
1.       Select at least TWO of the following courses:
a.       IICS 621: Technology and International Security (3 credits)
b.      IICS 623: Regional Security Challenges and Policy Options (3 credits)
c.       IICS 625: Globalization and Middle East Security (3 credits)
2.       Select TWO courses from the Regional/Civil Security track or the list of electives (3 credits x 2)
 
Research Design and Thesis (2 courses, 12 credits)
 
1.       IICS 698: Thesis Workshop (3 credits)
2.       IICS 699: Masters Thesis (9 credits)
 
TOTAL: 10 courses, 36 credits
 
Electives
 
IICS 645: Policy Analysis (3 credits)
IICS 646: Intelligence and National Security (3 credits)
IICS 690: Civil Infrastructure Protection Design (3 credits)
IICS 691: Nuclear Security (3 credits)
IICS 692: Computer and Network Security (3 credits)
IICS 693: Wireless Network and Mobile Security (3 credits)
IICS 694: Information Security Management (3 credits)
 
* This list changes frequently as new electives are under development at all times.