In this program, you’ll learn how contemporary tactics of war and security threats impact all aspects of life. You’ll also gain insight into the strategies of irregular warfare, great power competition and the ways gray-zone warfare impacts modern conflict. Elements of irregular warfare you’ll explore include:
- Cyber and kinetic action
- Economic statecraft
- Information warfare
- Insurgency and counterinsurgency
- Narrative warfare
- Proxy wars
- Terrorism
- Weaponized interdependence
You’ll graduate equipped to drive policy-oriented solutions to conflicts in regional, national and international contexts. Additionally, an interdisciplinary focus will prepare you for roles in a complicated security environment characterized by powerful nations who want to compete, but avoid full-scale war.
The skills you’ll develop
This irregular warfare master’s concentration will build your knowledge of the economic, political, informational and technological tools of global competition. You’ll also gain insight into the complexities of responding to conflict with strength while maintaining peace. Upon completing the program, you’ll be equipped to confront security challenges domestically and abroad.
Your courses will combine theory and practical application to build a comprehensive understanding of modern conflict. Additionally, you’ll gain a set of transferable skills, such as:
- Conflict analysis and resolution
- Cultural competence
- Critical and strategic thinking
- Narrative communication in the context of irregular warfare
- Research and writing
Choosing the right global security master’s program for you
This program offers the flexibility to align your studies with your career goals by choosing from three tracks:
- Irregular warfare concentration: Emphasizes nontraditional conflict, insurgency, terrorism and counterterrorism. Ideal for military professionals, veterans, security analysts and those working in national defense, intelligence or international conflict response.
- Global security (general track): Presents a broad, interdisciplinary approach to global conflict, cooperation and security. Ideal for careers in diplomacy, humanitarian work, international organizations, journalism and public policy.
- Cybersecurity concentration: Focuses on cyber threats, digital infrastructure and the intersection of technology and security policy. Ideal for careers in intelligence, cybersecurity policy, government agencies, defense contracting and tech-sector security roles.
Are you interested in solving complex issues in global security and modern warfare? Accelerate your career with an online Master of Arts in global security with a concentration in irregular warfare from Arizona State University. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to navigate cooperation and competition between great powers in the 21st century.
Courses in this program are interactive and include an examination of case studies, policy discussions and critical-thought exercises. Designed for flexibility, you’ll choose from a variety of concentration and elective courses that allow you to explore your interests. Topics may include terrorism and insurgency, great power competition, U.S. politics of security, the future of war and more.
From Royal Society and American Academy Fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members who include:
- Fulbright American Scholars
- Guggenheim Fellows
- MacArthur Fellows
- Nobel laureates
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to become socially aware critical thinkers and global citizens.
students enrolled as of fall 2024
in research expenditures in FY23
interdisciplinary schools and departments
undergraduate degrees
graduate degrees
for humanities research, according to the National Science Foundation
Applicants to the irregular warfare master’s concentration must fulfill the requirements of the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 12 units of their post-baccalaureate transcript.
All applicants must submit:
- Official transcripts.
- At least one letter of recommendation.
- A personal statement.
- A resume or CV.
Your personal statement should be one to two pages and well-constructed to demonstrate your writing ability. In your personal statement, you should explain why you’re pursuing the program, what you hope to achieve and why you believe you’ll succeed.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”