Overview
Overview
A career in international security is about making and supporting the key decisions that promote national safety and determine our collective future.
This course will equip you with effective critical thinking skills and specialist knowledge in international relations and security studies, preparing you to be an effective leader and decision-maker in a rapidly changing world.
Across 1.5 years of study, you’ll gain expertise in national strategy, policymaking, intelligence and law enforcement.
Under the guidance of academics with practical experience at senior-levels in policymaking and intelligence analysis, you’ll explore the traditional topics of war, peace and strategy, as well as newer dimensions of security, including environmental and climate change, disinformation and cyber power, humanitarian and cultural issues, transnational networks, and emerging technologies.
You can choose to focus your skills in a particular area of interest such as intelligence, strategy or regional security.
In your final year, you’ll develop advanced research and policymaking skills through a professional work placement or research project/dissertation.
Curtin graduates have embarked on careers in Australia and around the world, contributing to critical discussions on topics such as the AUKUS alliance, China’s expanding power, the Ukraine war and the emergence of global extremism.
Intermediate awards
You may be able to exit this course early with a Graduate Certificate in International Security or a Graduate Diploma of International Security once you have completed the required units.
Further study
If you choose to complete a research dissertation as part of this course and complete it to a high standard, you may be eligible for entry into a doctoral degree.
What jobs can the Master of International Security course lead to?
Careers
- Strategic policy analyst
- Defence policy analyst
- Defence capability and procurement officer
- Foreign policy officer
- Military officer
- Intelligence officer
- Diplomatic advisor
- Risk management consultant
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Federal police officer
Industries
- Defence/military
- Foreign affairs
- Intelligence
- Law enforcement
- Media and journalism
- National security
- State and federal government
What you'll learn
- apply knowledge of the principles and concepts of international security in work related settings; foster gained knowledge and develop strong independent research skills through minor and major research projects
- critically analyse and interpret major political, socio-economic and policy issues using an international security studies framework
- communicate, both verbally and in writing, comprehensive analyses of complex international security data or theories
- develop skills to think strategically and in the global context
- develop strong appreciation of working in multi-cultural national and international environments
- develop and practice effective independent multi-tasking and team management skills; develop leadership skills and strong professional ethics
