The Master’s in Security Studies at UG is a specialized program designed for students interested in national security, cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, and global conflict resolution. In a world where geopolitical tensions and cybersecurity threats are rising, the demand for security professionals who can assess risks, analyze threats, and develop counter-strategies is growing rapidly.
This program covers international security policies, defense strategies, counterterrorism, cyber warfare, and intelligence gathering, equipping students with theoretical and practical knowledge in modern security challenges. UG’s faculty includes security experts, intelligence analysts, and government advisors, ensuring that students receive cutting-edge insights into the field of security studies.
Graduates can work in government agencies, defense ministries, intelligence organizations, international security consultancies, and cybersecurity firms. Whether focusing on military defense, counterterrorism, or digital security, UG’s Security Studies program provides students with the expertise and professional network to excel in global security careers.
Official Syllabus:
Program goals:
MA program in Security Studies
The program objective is to provide graduates with the ability to understand the formation and conduct of the security policy in the field of international politics. Further, to provide the graduates with the competence of understanding security policy making and organizing defense matters as an integral component of the security, as well as to research independently international political processes as intersection of the state policy, security and defense issues.
Graduates of this program will be able to work at the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government, Parliament (Committees), The SSS (State Security Service) of Georgia, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Foreign Intelligence, International Organizations in Georgia, Embassies, and local analytical organizations.
Methods for Attaining Learning Outcomes:
- Interactive lectures
- Discussions/debates
- Explanation method
- Method of working on a book
- Material/Source search and selection in Libraries
- Simulation
- Critical analysis
- Project presentation
- Verbal method
- Case study and analysis
- Brief analytical papers
Learning outcomes:
Outcomes
Knowledge
A Graduate has:
- Deep and systemic knowledge of interconnection between theories (realism, neo-realism, institutionalism etc.) and policies implemented in the field of international relations.
- Deep and systemic knowledge of crucial elements relevant to the security field, including the complex nature of defense system, its organization and challenges of defense policies.
- Deep knowledge of the genesis, forms and consequences of conflicts in the context of international and state security, that will help generate new ideas while developing and implementing defense/security policy.
Skills:
A graduate has the ability:
- To resolve the dilemma of using a defense/military element as a priority foreign or domestic political instrument, along with the ability to deal with the problem of the ranking of national interests in the context of global security.
- To calculate threat-response ratio resource wise (incl. force structure and capabilities) and apply legal and normative/regulatory mechanisms in legal disputes, or sectoral policies.
- To critically comprehend and evaluate the effectiveness of elements of state power, incl. in a combination with military power.
- To conclude the effectiveness of particular sectoral policies within the different institutional constrains.
- Ability to formulate the proper format of findings, information exchange and language of communication to different audiences.
- To conduct and develop a small size research project, as well as draft a general program based budget and negotiation agreements.
Date of approval: 01-01-1900
Program details:
The Master’s program of Security Studies of 120 (ECTS) credits.
If she/he chooses to pursue this program the student passes the major in total of 78 credits. The remaining 42 credits may be taken from electives block of the same program.
Graduates of this program hold a Master’s degree in Security Studies.
Teaching Process Characteristics:
The Master’s program of Security Studies of 120 (ECTS) credits.
Student passes the major in total of 78 credits. The remaining 42 credits may be taken from electives block of the same program.
Graduates of this program hold a Master’s degree in Security Studies.
Program Core
- Research Design
- Research Methods
- Theories of International Relations
- International Conflict Analysis
- Foreign Politics and National Defense of US
- Security Aspects of European Integration
- Strategy and Defence Planning
- Peace, War and Security
- Defence Resources Management
- Master Thesis in Security Studies
Program Elective
- Theory and Practice in Diplomacy
- Introduction to Information Security
- South Caucasus in Global Politics
- Global Energy and Environment Studies
- Global Supply Chain Management
- Intelligence, Counterintelligence and National Security
- Transnational Migration
- War and International Law
- Global trade
- Nuclear non-proliferation
- Global Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
- Banks, international financial institutions and international financial system
- Emergina markets and global economy
- Human Right and International Law
- Conflicts, Non-conventional Warfare and Special Operations
- Military-industrial complex
- Introduction to Nuclear Strategy
