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Master of Strategic Studies

Submitted by swbarnar on Wed, 08/10/2016 - 2:49pm

Our program places the study of war, defence, and security issues within the context of past and present human experience. We combine a broad liberal-arts core with specialized research areas in strategic studies. 

Students entering the MSS program have three options:

  1. Thesis-based Program
  2. Course-based Program
  3. Co-op Program

Students in the MSS program have a maximum of four years to complete their requirements, but are expected to complete their programs in two years. MSS Students receiving financial support through the University and the Centre will be funded through their first two years.

Browse our Frequently Asked Questions

 

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Applications for the Master's of Strategic Studies are made to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Admissions are open October 1 and close January 15 of the following year. New students are admitted in the Fall of each year. There is no winter admittance.

Funding

We offer highly competitive funding packages to our Master's students. However, applicants are nonetheless strongly recommended to apply for the Canadian federal government's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) scholarships prior to applying due to their advanced deadlines. 

Learn more about our funding policy here.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, all MSS programs have the same requirements for admissions:

  1. A completed 4 year Undergraduate Degree (Normally a BA).
  2. A GPA of at least 3.4 on a four-point scale in the undergraduate program over the last 20 half courses or two years of study.
  3. All students whose native language is one other than English are required to pass the TOEFL with a minimum score of 600 (written) or 92 (web-based) or 7+ on the IELTS, or 84 on the MELAB test, or 70 on the PTE test. The test must have been taken within the last two years.
  4. Official transcripts must be sent directly from all post-secondary institutions you have attended (even if you did not graduate) to the UCalgary graduate program to which you have applied. The transcript should be sent in a sealed envelope directly from your previous institution(s).

Admissions are open October 1 and close January 15 of the following year. New students are admitted in the Fall of each year. There is no winter admittance.

Thesis-based Master of Strategic Studies

Students applying for the thesis-based MSS must first contact and obtain consent from a potential supervisor. 

See a list of affiliated faculty

See a list of optional courses

In order to fulfill the thesis-based MSS, students must complete 6 HCEs (Half-Course Equivalents).

All students must complete non-credit one-week block course at the beginning of the program:

  • STST 603: Military and Strategic Studies: Questions and Methods 

All students must take the following three half-courses:

  • POLI 681: Advanced Analysis of International Relations
  • POLI 685: Strategic Studies Advanced Seminar
  • STST 655: Classics of Strategy

Each student may choose any other three half-courses that are pertinent to their program of studies. These classes are subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director and the student's supervisor. 

MSS students in the thesis stream are required to present their supervisor with a formal thesis proposal normally no later than the end of their second term (usually, the end of the Winter Term of their first year for students entering the program in the thesis stream; for students transferring from the course-based stream, where at all possible the same general timeline should apply).

Course-based Master of Strategic Studies

In order to fulfil the course-based MSS, students must complete 12 HCEs (Half-Course Equivalents).

All students must complete non-credit one-week block course at the beginning of the program:

  • STST 603: Military and Strategic Studies: Questions and Methods 

All students must take the following three half-courses:

  • POLI 681: Advanced Analysis of International Relations
  • POLI 685: Strategic Studies Advanced Seminar
  • STST 655: Classics of Strategy

Each student may choose any other nine half-courses that are pertinent to their program of studies. These classes are subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director and the student's supervisor. 

See a list of optional courses

Co-Op Program

As a part of the course-based MSS, students participating in the Co-op program will complete 9 HCEs. An 8 month paid work placement will be worth an additional 3 HCEs.

Students must complete all course work prior to the start of the work placement. CMSS does not guarantee that co-op students will obtain a work placement.

In order to fulfil the course-based MSS, students must complete 9 HCEs (Half-Course Equivalents).

All students must complete non-credit one-week block course at the beginning of the program:

  • STST 603: Military and Strategic Studies: Questions and Methods 

All students must take the following three half-courses:

  • POLI 681: Advanced Analysis of International Relations
  • POLI 685: Strategic Studies Advanced Seminar
  • STST 655: Classics of Strategy

Each student may choose any other six half-courses that are pertinent to their program of studies. These classes are subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director and the student's supervisor. 

In their Co-op terms, Co-op students will enroll in:

  • STST 601: MSS 1st Term Co-operative Education (Winter Term)
  • STST 602A: MSS 2nd Term Co-operative Education (Spring Term)
  • STST 602B: MSS 2nd Term Co-operative Education (Summer Term)

These courses cover the 8-month co-op work placement during the second year, and replace 3 of the 12 required HCEs of the course-based MSS.