Qualification regulations for the Master of International Security

Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Master of International Security requires that the candidate shall meet the University admission requirements as specified, and shall have:

(a) completed a relevant Bachelor's degree with a grade average of at least B-; or

(b) been awarded or qualified for the Postgraduate Certificate in International Security, or an equivalent qualification, with at least a B- grade average; or

(c) been awarded or qualified for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security, or an equivalent qualification, with at least a B- grade average; or

(d) demonstrated scholarly work in conjunction with extensive relevant professional experience and standing in leadership, managerial and planning positions in government or non-government security agencies appropriate for Admission with Equivalent Status.

Qualification requirements

2. Candidates for the Master of International Security shall follow a parts-based course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 180 credits from the Schedule to the Degree, comprising:

(a) Parts One and Two as specified in the Schedule to the Degree;

and including:

(b) any compulsory core courses listed in Schedule to the Degree;

(c) attending, as required, contact courses, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories.

3. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, candidates admitted under Regulation 1 (b) or (c) may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification in accordance with the limits specified in the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations.

Specialisations

4. The Degree of Master of International Security may be awarded with or without a subject.

5. Candidates may complete a subject by passing at least 120 credits in a subject including a research project of 60 credits in that subject. The requirements for each subject are set out in Part II of the Schedule for the Degree.

6. Subjects available in the Master of International Security are: Defence, Border and Biosecurity, Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism.

Student progression

7. For progression to Part Two in the Master of International Security candidates must have achieved a grade average of B- in the first 90 credits of courses completed in Part One.

8. In cases of sufficient merit, the Degree of Master of International Security may be awarded with Distinction or Merit.

Completion requirements

9. The timeframes for completion are as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

10. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for progression from Part One to Part Two, or who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in International Security or the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

11. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Transitional provisions

12. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the degree, candidates who commenced study towards the Terrorism subject prior to 01 January 2021 may elect to be awarded this specialisation title rather than the title ‘Counter-Terrorism’ on completion of the subject. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2025.

13. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the degree, candidates who commenced study towards the Defence Studies subject prior to 01 January 2021 may elect to be awarded this specialisation title rather than the title ‘Defence’ on completion of the subject. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2025.

14. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the degree, candidates who commenced study towards the Border and Biosecurity subject prior to 01 January 2022 may substitute 294770 (if already completed) for 294716. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2026.

Schedule for the Master of International Security

Course planning key

Prerequisites: Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Key terms for course planning

Courses: Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code: Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits: Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations: Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Part One (Choose 120 credits from)

Compulsory course

294720 Security Concepts and Structures 30

This course develops core conceptual and structural understandings of the study of security. It outlines the philosophical frameworks underpinning the international security environment with particular attention given to foundational challenges in defence, terrorism, intelligence, regional security and border and biosecurity. Exploring these challenges provides a basis for examining a diverse range of international security factors, and evaluating the major ethical implications of security issues and responses.

Regulations for The Master of International Security - MIntlSy