MA in International and Civil Security

Security is the insurance policy of the nation. It is a responsibility that we all must share. The M.A. in International and Civil Security program at Khalifa University will prepare you to be a leader in this field.

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 Master’s Program is being offered by Khalifa University’s Institute of International and Civil Security. The Institutes’ 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 places inside the classroom, the institute hosts speakers, workshops, events, and works with other institutions- within government, academia, and the private sector – to advance security research, education, training, and policy-making.

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and are professionals working on their graduate qualification part-time in order to specialize in civil and regional security fields. They work at a range of government agencies, including the police force, military, and government ministries.

CONTACT US

Institute of International & Civil Security

Room: L02014, L Building, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dr. Athol Yates

Acting Program Chair

Email: athol.yates@ku.ac.ae

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 towards 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.

Skill 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 field of international and civil security.
The organisational 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 efficiently 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
Cyber Security
Border and Customs
Public Health and Safety
Private sector security positions

Duration of Study

The program is taken on a part-time basis. The program typically takes 2.5 years to complete.

Program Structure

Program Components

The MA in International and Civil Security is equivalent to 30 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 two elective courses also worth three credits each. The elective courses may be in one of two tracks: Civil Security or Regional Security.

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.

Master’s Thesis Component

The Master’s Thesis Workshop (IICS 698) is a three credit course taken after the completion of eighteen credits, including the four core courses. IICS 698 is a pre-requisite for IICS 699: Master’s Thesis. This workshop is designed to help M.A. students develop a well-crafted Master’s 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.

Students will then 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.

Curricular Offerings

The following is a typical study sequence for a student enrolled in the M.A. in International and Civil Security program:

Core Coursework (4 courses, 12 credits)
IICS 601: Introduction to International Relations and Security Issues (3 credits)
IICS 602: Introduction to Civil Security (3 credits)
IICS 603: Social Science Research Methods (3 credits)
IICS 604: Regional Security and the Terrorist Threat (3 credits)

Track and/or Elective Options (2 courses, 6 credits)
Civil Security Track Options
If a Civil track is selected, choose at least two of the following courses: IICS 622: Technology and Civil Security (3 credits) IICS 624: Creating Integrated Civil Security (3 credits) IICS 626: Comparative Civil Security Systems (3 credits)
Regional Security Track Options
If a Regional track is selected, choose at least two of the following courses: IICS 621: Technology and International Security (3 credits) IICS 623: Regional Security Challenges and Policy Options (3 credits) IICS 625: Globalization and Middle East Security (3 credits)
Other Electives Note: An elective course can be any IICS course not used to complete track requirements. This list changes frequently as new electives are under development at all times.
IICS 645: Policy Analysis (3 credits)
IICS 646: Intelligence and National Security (3 credits)
IICS 647: Exercise Design and Technology (3 credits)
IICS 648: The Changing Nature of War and Conflict (3 credits)
IICS 649: Cyber Security and its Implications for Statecraft (3 credits)
IICS 651: Comparative 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)

Research Design and Thesis (2 courses, 12 credits)
IICS 698: Thesis Workshop (3 credits)
IICS 699: Master’s Thesis (9 credits)
Total: 30 credits

Admission to Khalifa University of Science and Technology is highly competitive and the selection of applicants will be based on the application form, supporting graduate admission requirements documents and performance in the interview. Selection will take into account factors such as academic performance, qualifications and previous experience, CV, reference forms and the applicant’s potential to succeed.

Full Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to a graduate program at Khalifa University of Science and Technology must meet the following minimum criteria:

Master’s Degree Program Applicants

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent (e.g. an upper second-class honors in a UK-style degree, from a reputable accredited institution).
A minimum level of English proficiency in the form of either:
- iBT TOEFL (internet-based test) score of 91 or equivalent, or
- Overall academic IELTS score of 6.5, or
- 1550 EmSAT English score

A minimum quantitative score of 150 in the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to all programs, with the exception of Master of Engineering in Health, Safety and Environment Engineering and the Master of Arts in International and Civil Security, where a minimum threshold is not set. Applicants for all programs should attempt all three sections of the GRE.
A minimum of two referee recommendations (provided via online form).
Statement of purpose (500-1,000 words).
Admission interview.

Doctorate Degree Program Applicants

Completion of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 out of 4.0, or equivalent (e.g. an upper second-class honors in UK-style Master by taught courses with a minimum average of 63% or a Pass in a Master by Research/MPhil) from a reputable accredited institution.
A minimum level of English proficiency in the form of either:
- iBT TOEFL (internet-based test) score of 91 or equivalent, or
- overall academic IELTS score of 6.5, or
- 1550 EmSAT English score
A minimum quantitative score of 150 in the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to all Doctorate programs. Applicants for all programs should attempt all three sections of the GRE.
A minimum of two referee recommendations (provided via online form).
Statement of purpose (500-1,000 words).
Research statement (500-1,000 words).
Admission interview.

English Language Test Exemptions

Subject to review and approval, the English test score requirement (TOEFL, IELTS or EmSAT) may be waived for an applicant who is:

A native English speaker who has completed his/her Bachelor’s/Master’s degree qualification in an English-medium institution, or
A graduate from an English-medium institution who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum overall academic IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum TOEFL score of 79 iBT (or equivalent), or a minimum EmSAT English score of 1400 at the time of admission to the completed Bachelor’s/Master’s degree program.

All applicants must provide evidence of meeting the English language requirement by uploading the relevant document with their application, even if he/she may be eligible for an exemption.

Conditional Admission Requirements

Applicants with a lower CGPA score (minimum 2.5 out of 4.0 or equivalent) may be considered for conditional admission to a Master’s program in special circumstances. If conditional admission is granted, the student must achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in the first nine credits of taught courses. In addition, each academic program has specific conditions that must be satisfied for the student to remain in the program. If the student fails to satisfy the conditions, then his/her registration will be terminated.

Applicants with a recognized Bachelor degree and iBT TOEFL score of 79 or equivalent, or an overall academic IELTS score of 6.0, or an EmSAT English score of 1400 may be considered for conditional admission to a Master’s program in special circumstances. If conditional admission is granted, the student must achieve a minimum iBT TOEFL score of 91 or equivalent, or an overall academic IELTS score of 6.5 by the end of their first semester of registration.

Applicants who do not attain the minimum GRE quantitative score required for the relevant Master’s program may be considered for conditional admission. If conditional admission is granted, the student will be required to achieve a minimum GRE quantitative score of 150 by the end of their first semester of registration.

Applicants with insufficient prior background in the chosen Master’s or Doctorate program may be considered for conditional admission, but will be assigned undergraduate and/or graduate courses and/or specially tailored remedial courses as specified by the relevant program. Credits from these prerequisite bridging courses do not count toward fulfillment of the particular degree requirements and are not used to calculate the graduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

Statement of Purpose Guidelines

The Statement of Purpose should clearly outline the applicant’s motivations for wishing to pursue graduate studies at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, as well as any prior achievements that will demonstrate promise for success in their degree. It is recommended that prospective students include the following information in their Statement of Purpose:

An introduction about yourself, your interests and your motivations.
The reasons for applying to your chosen graduate program at Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
What you hope to gain during your studies and any specific issues you wish to address.
Your professional aspirations and how you think this qualification will help you achieve them.
How your previous studies and work experience, where applicable, relate to the program you have chosen.
Other matters you consider important and relevant to your application.

Research Statement Guidelines

The statement should focus on the contribution you would like to make to your chosen field of research. PhD applicants are advised to refer to the Khalifa University of Science and Technology Institutional Research Priorities before drafting their Research Statement.

It is recommended that the Research Statement addresses the following points:

An explanation of your research interests and what you hope to achieve through your research.
An outline of your experience in this field to date (study, research, project work, publications, etc.).
An example of a research project you would like to be involved in (either one you would conduct, or one you have read about).

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Guidelines

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a graduate-level admissions test that has two types: subject and general. A minimum quantitative score of 150 in the general GRE is required for admission to all programs, with the exception of Master of Engineering in Health, Safety and Environment Engineering and the Master of Arts in International and Civil Security, where a minimum threshold is not set. Applicants for all programs should attempt all three sections of the GRE. For more details about the GRE exam please visit: http://www.ets.org/gre/

Students must consult with their respective advisors on the courses that they will enroll in, the required pre-requisites, and the thesis topic selection. Full-time graduate students must register for 9 to 12 credits, including thesis credits, during a regular semester (Fall and Spring) and a maximum of 6 credits during a Summer term. In the case of part-time students, the credit load is normally 6 credits during a regular semester as well as the summer term.

Students can only register for thesis credits after successfully completing a minimum of 9 credits of the core courses of the master’s program they are enrolled in. It is to be noted that the minimum pass grade for graduate courses is a “C” letter grade. Students should consult the Graduate Catalog to learn about the graduate programs, the grading system, graduation requirements, and other pertinent matters.