Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.)

What the Program Covers

The United Nations delineates seven issues related to human security: economic, food, health, environmental, personal, community, and political security. Violent conflict threatens all of these and increases community vulnerability. 

The online Master of Global Conflict and Human Security (GCHS) program teaches practical skills in international development, conflict analysis, human security, peacebuilding, and program evaluation. The curriculum covers project design, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), policy analysis, and strategies for building resilient communities. 

The GCHS program includes 10 courses and 30 credits. Students can finish the degree in 12 months of full-time participation or part-time in two years. All core courses are delivered asynchronous and fully online. Note that the GRE is not required for admission to this program.

Program Highlights

• Learn from international development practitioners and faculty with applied field experience 
• Gain training in policy analysis and evaluation at a nationally recognized School of Public Policy 
• Begin the program in fall, spring, or summer 
• Customize your degree with one of three tracks: 
  • Policy Track for public policy analysis and evaluation
  • Project Management Track for project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
  • Recreation Management and Policy Track for recreation administration and community resilience

Program Delivery and Options

All courses are delivered online asynchronously. Students may take optional electives in person on UNH campuses. An optional Washington, DC Colloquium brings students to Washington, DC for a week of meetings with policymakers and practitioners.

Students enrolled in the Carsey School's Master of Science in Global Conflict and Human Security (GCHS) online program are required to complete a 30-credit program consisting of 10 courses with track options for degree specialization:

• 5 GCHS Core Curriculum Courses
• 5 GCHS Track Courses: Choose a Track to focus your area of specialization (Policy, Project Management, or Recreation Management and Policy)

These provide the foundational skills in project design, management, and evaluation for advancing resilience and human security through local and global policy. Further depth and specialization are provided through a variety of Elective courses or by choosing the Recreation Management and Policy Track for those focusing on recreation administration. Students gain expertise in international development, peace, and conflict studies, expanding opportunities across organizations and career fields. 

POLICY Track

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Track

RECREATION MANAGEMENT AND POLICY Track

¹

During this case study capstone course, students will be presented with a real-world problem in their program area and asked to write a self-directed paper exploring the problem and presenting recommended solutions.

²

Students should consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance on GCHS-Approved Elective courses which are relevant to their interests.

³

With full faculty support, students carry out a four-term capstone project in their communities by completing actionable assignments throughout the series of four applied project courses. 

⁴

Students should consult with their departmental Graduate Academic Advisors at the Carsey School and Recreation Management & Policy for guidance on which RMP courses are relevant based upon their interests.

POLICY Track (30 Credits): Fall Start

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Track (30 Credits): Fall Start

 .

RECREATION MANAGEMENT AND POLICY Track (30 Credits): Fall Start

¹

During this case study capstone course, students will be presented with a real-world problem in their program area and asked to write a self-directed paper exploring the problem and presenting recommended solutions.

²

Students should consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance on GCHS-Approved Elective courses which are relevant to their interests.

³

With full faculty support, students carry out a four-term capstone project in their communities by completing actionable assignments throughout the series of four applied project courses.

⁴

Students should consult with their departmental Graduate Academic Advisors at the Carsey School and Recreation Management & Policy for guidance on which RMP courses are the best fit based upon their interests.

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s): 

College of Health and Human Services

College of Professional Studies - Manchester

College of professional studies - online

Program Learning Outcomes

• Explain competing schools of thought on relevant issues in key disciplines (for ex., peace and conflict studies, international development studies)
• Conduct conflict analyses and develop policy recommendations
• Conduct needs assessments and analyze the interrelatedness of distinct human security domains (economic security, food security, health security environmental security, personal security, community security, and political security)
• Apply theory to practice by designing humanitarian, development, and/or peacebuilding programs
• Collect data and perform data analysis using qualitative and quantitative methodologies
• Implement a development program (if applicable)
• Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of humanitarian, development and/or peacebuilding programs
• Communicate professionally and effectively across different cultures and social groups.