Feb1
Security Studies Concentration
A Global Perspective on Peace & Security
The evolving landscape of international security demands expertise in cyber threats, hybrid warfare, and conflict resolution. The Kroc School’s Security Studies concentration equips students with the knowledge and skills to navigate this dynamic field, blending academic rigor with real-world experience.
Application Instructions
The Security Studies Concentration is eligible for the MA in Peace and Justice and the MS in Conflict Management and Resolution programs. To apply for the Security Studies Concentration, follow these steps:
- Under the program application for those two degrees, select “yes” that you are applying to the Security Studies Concentration.
- You will be asked to provide an essay in response to the prompt, “In 300 words or fewer, please tell us why you are interested in security studies.”
If you are a current Kroc School student, please email your program advisor to inquire about adding the concentration to your studies.
Fall 2026 Application Deadlines
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants hearing back within a few weeks of submitting a complete application. The next review deadline is the 19th of each month. Merit award applications are sent only to admitted students, so apply early if you plan to request merit-based financial aid.
Comillas University Collaboration
Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain
In partnership with Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, Spain, this concentration prepares MA in Peace and Justice and MS in Conflict Management and Resolution students to address the evolving challenges of international security. From hybrid warfare to digital security, students gain the knowledge and tools needed to navigate a dynamic and complex security landscape.
The curriculum bridges foundational theories in international relations, peace studies, and security studies with practical skills and applications. Students explore various conflict types, including interstate, hybrid, and proxy conflicts, while developing an understanding of military strategies employed by both state and non-state actors.
Key topics include:
- The concept of "grey zones," which encompass economic sabotage, influence operations, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns.
- Analysis of key cyber threats, such as cyber espionage, cybercrime, and information warfare.
The program’s two-week intensive in Madrid, Spain provides students with the opportunity to engage with faculty and peers in a global context. MAPJ and MSCMR students benefit from this hybrid approach, ensuring they can graduate while balancing other commitments.
Topics & Learning Outcomes
#1
Analyze Emerging Security Threats
Evaluate and assess contemporary security challenges, including cyberattacks, influence operations, and economic and diplomatic sabotage within the context of "grey zone" conflicts.
#2
Apply Cybersecurity and Information Warfare Strategies
Demonstrate knowledge of cyber espionage, information warfare, and cybersecurity strategies to assess their impact on national and international security.
#3
Examine the Dynamics of Hybrid Warfare
Investigate the role of hybrid warfare tactics, including economic coercion, cyber activities, and disinformation campaigns, in shaping global conflicts and security policies.
#4
Integrate Theoretical and Practical Security Approaches
Apply foundational and contemporary theories of international relations, peace, and security studies to real-world security challenges and policy responses.
#5
Engage in Multilateral Security Efforts
Develop the ability to work within international and cross-sectoral security frameworks, collaborating with global organizations, governmental agencies, and private-sector entities to address security threats.
#6
Develop Leadership in Conflict and Security Management
Cultivate the critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and leadership skills necessary for careers in cybersecurity, intelligence, military strategy, conflict resolution, and global security policymaking.
Security Studies
Concentration Requirements
To fulfill all requirements to earn the Security Studies concentration, students must:
- Complete all requirements for the MAPJ or MSCMR program.
- Complete 9 units of elective coursework specifically for the concentration:
- 3 units taken on the San Diego campus.
- 6 units completed during a two-week intensive in Madrid, Spain, in partnership with Comillas Pontifical University.
Required Courses
Explore the dynamics of international conflict and peace, covering foundational and contemporary theories in international relations, peace, and security studies.
The course explores the transition from traditional warfare to modern hybrid war techniques, which operate in the ambiguous space between peace and armed conflict. Students will be introduced to the concept of grey zones, encompassing activities such as economic sabotage, influence operations, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. The course will focus on understanding campaigns by state and non-state actors that blend nonmilitary and quasi-military tools to stay below the threshold of armed conflict. It will also examine how these unconventional warfare techniques integrate with traditional military force, threats, and hybrid strategies. Through case studies, students will analyse how new technologies are used in grey-zone operations to obscure categorisation, attribution, and detection, complicating effective responses. They will also identify the objectives and means of hybrid warfare, which are often tailored to exploit the vulnerabilities of the target state.
In this course, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of cyberspace and cybersecurity, exploring their historical development, transformations, and role within international security. They will learn to identify and analyze key cyber threats affecting both state and non-state actors, including cyber espionage, cybercrime, and information warfare. Through a social sciences lens, students will examine cybersecurity strategies, policies, and frameworks, considering their political, economic, and legal implications. The course will also equip them with the analytical skills necessary to assess cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, applying critical thinking to case studies and real-world scenarios. Additionally, students will explore the ethical and societal dimensions of cybersecurity, particularly its impact on privacy, surveillance, and freedom in the digital age.
*Continuing students who will graduate in Fall 2025 may substitute KROC 530: Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Important Note:
The Fall 2025 in-person residency will take place in Madrid, Spain, from December 1–13. Students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. International Peace & Securities will be offered in Spring 2026.