Security Studies

Application and Admissions

Admissions Requirements for the MA Degree in Security Studies

  1. Completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. A variety of undergraduate bachelor’s degree programs will qualify, particularly those in the behavioral and social sciences. 
  2. GRE scores for Verbal and Quantitative in the top 20th percentile.
  3. International students must submit TOEFL with acceptable scores
  4. Other admission requirements are described on the Graduate Admissions Application Form.

Admissions Requirements for the MS Degree in Security Studies

  1. Completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with a major in a science, technology or engineering discipline and a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
    (Can be waived with suitable professional experience or relevant science/technology graduate degree)
  2. GRE scores for Verbal and Quantitative in the top 20th percentile.
  3.  International students must submit TOEFL with acceptable scores
  4. Other admission requirements are described on the Graduate Admissions Application Form.

Transfer Students

If transferring from another graduate program, applicants must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5.Transfer students are those who come to UMass Lowell with prior graduate work. They are allowed up to 12 credit hours (with a grade of B or better) from another institution toward the completion of the Masters degree at UMass Lowell. Only graduate courses taken from an accredited Graduate School in the United States or Canada within a five-year period prior to the date of admission to the degree requirement may be considered for transfer. More information on the university policy is available online.


Note: A qualitative assessment of each applicant’s transcript and other application materials will contribute to any admissions decision for either the MA or the MS degree programs.