Security Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts

The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) will prepare you for roles that are integral to the safety of New Zealand and the globe.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students

Specialise in Security Studies for your Graduate Certificate in Arts at Massey

The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to gain knowledge of security studies. You can use it to study another subject area without completing a second bachelor’s degree.

Our world provides numerous complex and multifaceted challenges to security. These include traditional interstate conflict and the threat of the spread of nuclear weapons. They include disputes linked to religious differences and control and exploitation of scarce resources and the impact of globalisation and environmental change.

Get prepared for a career in security

Management of threats to security is an important dimension of government and public policy. If you‘re interested in local and global security issues, Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts will give you knowledge in this area.

Security studies is a fast-growing field, and entry-level positions increasingly require a qualification. This qualification will prepare you for roles that are integral to the safety of New Zealand and the globe.

Unique in New Zealand

Massey offers New Zealand’s only specialist education in security studies. It examines security challenges such as biosecurity. It also looks at conflict resolution and cyber-crime at community and government levels. You’ll develop broad and transferable critical thinking skills. You may also have the opportunity to do an internship with government agencies such as Customs or the New Zealand Police.

Learn from the best

Our lecturers have professional and academic experience. Our courses are respected, scholarly and career-focussed, and well-connected with potential employers. The qualification is designed in collaboration with an advisory board of New Zealand’s top defence and security officials.

A Graduate Certificate in Arts in Security Studies is a good fit if you:

  • want to help keep New Zealand safe
  • want to make a difference in your community
  • can look for solutions in tough situations.

Planning information

This qualification may be completed in one semester of full-time study (depending on sequencing of courses) or over a longer period of part-time study.

Not all courses will be offered in all modes or across all campuses in any given year.

100-level prerequisites

When you are granted entry to the qualification, you are not required to pass any 100-level prerequisite course/s for the specialisation. You may need to apply for 200-level courses using the Special Request function in Course Enrolment in your student portal if your previous study was not completed at Massey. If you plan to take any electives in subjects such as Languages, Economics, Mathematics or Statistics, you will need to meet the 100-level prerequisite requirements.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

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.

Subject courses

Choose no more than 15 credits from
Course code: 294201 States, Borders and Resource Security 15 credits

This course examines the dynamics of states seeking to secure resources for their own requirements, alongside the need to sustain and protect global resources such as oceans and the poles.

Restrictions: 149271

View full course details
Course code: 294202 Human Security 15 credits

This course explores the theory and practice of security from multiple perspectives including individual, community, social, economic and environmental.

View full course details
Course code: 294272 Intelligence in the Security Environment 15 credits

This course provides a critical examination of intelligence focusing on the security environment. It looks at contemporary global and New Zealand-specific security risks, the intelligence cycle, and intelligence models that collect and analyse information to produce intelligence products that inform decision making.

View full course details
Course code: 294280 Security and Diplomacy 15 credits

This course examines the nexus of security and diplomacy and the related theoretical and explanatory approaches with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region.

View full course details
Choose at least 30 credits from
Course code: 175304 The Psychology of Security 15 credits

An exploration of how psychology can be utilised to improve our understanding of, and responses to, the various security challenges posed by the contemporary environment.

View full course details
Course code: 294304 Cyber and Information Security 15 credits

This course examines the threats posed by Cyber Crime, Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Intelligence, Cyber Infrastructure and Cyber Warfare to individuals, organisations and government agencies. Studies include the origins of threats, the evolution of technologies, the role of the state in offensive and defensive applications, and ethical considerations.

Restrictions: 149295

View full course details
Course code: 294350 The History of Defence and Security Intelligence 15 credits

A study of defence and security intelligence from ancient times through to today, with emphasis on the evolution of intelligence organisations and activities, the impact of technological advances, and the wider political, social and ethical issues surrounding its practice.

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Course code: 294381 Terrorism and Political Violence 15 credits

This course critically explores the concept of `Terrorism’ and related forms of political conflict and violence. New Zealand’s understanding and responses to the phenomena labelled as `terrorism’ will be a key aspect of the course. The course will also address such substantive issues as the how non-state actors engaged in political conflict and violence fund their activities.

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Course code: 294382 Advanced Biosecurity 15 credits

This course provides an advanced exploration of biosecurity from a social science perspective and exposes students to a range of contemporary biosecurity issues and their management.

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor's degree.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses and qualifications that may help.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

With a Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) you’ll be in high demand after you graduate.

By learning how people, property and information are protected, you can prepare for a career that’s challenging, rewarding and will help make the world a safer place. Knowledge of security can be applied to a range of professions and vocations such as:

  • government or non-government agencies
  • commercial companies
  • security
  • business
  • foreign affairs
  • trade law
  • intelligence
  • border protection
  • law enforcement.

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