Military, Security and Strategic Studies

Master of Strategic Studies (MSS)

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Program overview

This course-based master’s program combines a strong military-oriented, liberal arts core with opportunities to study more technical subject matter, placing the technicalities of war and defence-related subjects, past and present, within the context of the overall human experience. With flexible programs, leading scholars in a variety of disciplines, and generous funding opportunities, we strive to ensure students at the university’s Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies achieve success in their pursuits.

Specializations

Co-operative Education

Outcomes and next steps

Banking, Police Service, Government, Military Procurement, Oil and Gas, NATO, Advocacy Groups.

A course-based master’s degree in military and strategic studies is usually considered a final degree.

Degree at a glance

Completion requirements
Full course completion

Courses
Three core courses and nine electives
Program requirements

Class delivery
Classroom

Commitment
Two years full-time; six years maximum

Supervisor
No supervisor is required

Fees and funding
Calculated per course; funding may be offered

Anthropology

History

Political Science

Sociology

Core Courses

Classics of Strategy, Advanced Analysis of International Relations and Strategic Studies.

Block Week Course

Students will complete Military and Strategic Studies: Questions and Methods in the week preceding their first term.

Additional Courses

May include arctic security, Canadian military studies, U.S. security, ethics and morality, intelligence, and other topics.

Co-operative Education

Students complete an eight-month work placement in the second year, in place of three non-core courses.

Requirements for the Military, Security and Strategic Studies Program

GPA

A minimum of 3.4 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

A writing sample.

Documents

An agreement to supervise from an affiliated faculty member.

Reference letter

Two

Test scores

None

English language proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

TOEFL score of 97 with no section less than 20 (Internet-based) or 560 (paper-based). Our institution code is 0813
IELTS score of 7.0 with no section less than 6.0 (Academic version)
MELAB score of 83, or higher
PTE score of 68, or higher (Academic version)
Tier 3 of the International Foundations Program with minimum grades of B,B,B (Writing & Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency)

Deadlines

For admission on September 1

Canadian and permanent residentJan. 15 Application deadline (for admission and funding)

InternationalJan. 15 Application deadline (for admission and funding)

If you’re not a Canadian or permanent resident make sure to read and learn about international specific requirements

Fees

Estimate for full-time students

Canadian and
permanent resident

International
student

General fees

For 12 months of study

$1,830 CAD

Tuition fees

For program completion in 12 months

$8,568 CAD

$19,464 CAD

Total fees

For program completion in 12 months

$10,398 CAD

$21,294 CAD

General fees and tuition

General fees are annual and per-term fees. Annual fees are paid once per year, while per-term are paid each term (3 terms per year).

Tuition covers standard academic costs. Tuition shown is for full course completion of 12 courses. Domestic students pay $714 per course. International students pay $1,622 per course. Textbooks and other material costs are not included.

What are annual continuing fees?

Continuing fees do not apply to this program.

Funding availability

The Centre will normally provide MSS students competitive funding for two years; the maximum period for completion of the MSS course-based program is six years.

Fees listed here are estimates only, and have been rounded to the nearest dollar. These amounts should not be considered accurate. All amounts are in Canadian Dollars.
Fees are subject to change.
For more details and the most accurate information go to the Academic Calendar
For more general information, see our Fees and Funding Guide

Multidisciplinary Approach

Explore military, defence, security and strategy from perspectives in anthropology, history, economics and more

Recent Research Theses

Explore the wide range of topics represented in recent graduate theses

Three Minute Thesis

Practice your communication skills, build your network and learn about amazing UCalgary research

Faculty of Arts
Arts Students' Centre, Social Sciences Building, Room 102
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.3580

Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies - Graduate Studies
Social Sciences 856
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.4038

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