Security Studies

Security Studies is an interdisciplinary graduate program offered by the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and coordinated by faculty in the School of Criminology and Justice Studies. Student can earn a 30-credit Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in one of the following concentrations.

Master of Sciences Degree Concentrations

Visit the Security Studies website for more application, alumni, and class schedule information. 

CBRNE

Students in this area of concentration will develop a solid understanding of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) security. Courses will exam the technical details of weapons and sensor technologies, nonproliferation regimes, the threat of states or terrorists acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction, and the local, state, federal and global efforts to confront this kind of threat.

Degree pathways:

Critical Infrastructure Protection

Students pursuing this area of concentration will develop competency and knowledge to manage the increasingly complex security challenges at regional and international airports, commuter and commercial railways, maritime ports, and roadways of the Commonwealth and the broader region. Emphasis is placed on integrating a “big picture” policy perspective with an understanding of sensor technologies, transportation security, systems engineering, human behavior, and intelligence analysis.

Degree Pathways:

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is an increasingly important concern for government agencies, defense contractors, bio-tech research firms, and many others throughout New England. Students pursuing this area of concentration will develop an understanding of computer network security principles, human behavior, systems, cyber forensics, and the strategies and agencies (federal and state) that are intended to secure the nation from cyber attacks.

Degree Pathways:

UMass Lowell 's Kennedy College of Sciences also offers a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity, which can be completed through online courses. Students who complete MSIT.5610 and three other courses required for the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity with an average grade of B+ or better can be admitted into the MS in Security Studies: Cybersecurity Concentration program, and will have just 6 more courses to complete before earning the MS degree.

Admission and Application Information

Applications to the Graduate Program in Security Studies are accepted and processed year-round. Students accepted into the program can begin their courses in the fall, spring or summer terms. 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 program.

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 3.000. Graduates of bachelor's degree programs in behavioral and social sciences will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    (Can be waived with suitable professional experience or relevant science/technology graduate degree)
  2. Official score from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) result is optional.
  3. International students must submit TOEFL with acceptable scores.
  4. Please see the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information about the basic requirements for all master's and doctoral programs at UMass Lowell.

Admissions Requirements for International Students

  1. International students apply through the regular admissions process. Please see the Office of Graduate Admissions for specific information about the basic requirements for all master's and doctoral programs at UMass Lowell.
  2. Please see the Graduate Admissions Office website for International Students, which describes the Test of English as a Foreign Language requirement for all master's and doctoral programs at UMass Lowell.
  3. International students can also enroll online and complete all requirements to earn a Graduate Certificate without having to meet the admissions requirements for master's or doctoral degree programs.

Bachelor's to Master's Program

Juniors and Seniors at UMass Lowell who have a 3.000 GPA or better are eligible to apply for the B.S./M.A. (or B.S./M.S.) program. This program allows for completion of both degrees in five years if desired. As part of the program, two graduate classes may be counted toward both the 120 credit hour for the B.S. degree and the 30 credit hours required for the M.A. or M.S. degree. More information about this program is available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.   

Transfer Students

If transferring from another graduate program, applicants must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.500. 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 master's 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.

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