Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.)

Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.)
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The Carsey School’s Master of Global Conflict and Human Security (GCHS) online program will prepare you for a role in humanitarian relief and global development solving the world's most pressing problems. Join our online cohort in the fall or spring and complete your degree in just 12 months. Highly sought after, the GCHS program is partners with the Peace Corps to support Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with the Coverdell Fellowship.

  Credit Hours: 30   |      Program Length: 12 Months   |     Tuition Cost

  Application Deadlines: December 15 (Spring term) & August 1 (Fall term)


Why get a master’s degree in global conflict & human security?

The world’s most vulnerable communities are in fragile and conflict-affected states. Our transdisciplinary program cultivates a deep understanding of the drivers of violent conflict and the myriad challenges facing people in fragile states—from food scarcity to environmental degradation to terrorism. You will learn how to assess risk and threats to human security and promote social, economic and political development while building durable peace. GCHS prepares you for a career in the nonprofit, public or private sector.

Why choose UNH’s Master of GCHS program?

You will sharpen your problem-solving skills and learn strategies for enhancing human security through project-based courses taught by researchers and practitioners with decades of field experience. Are you interested in addressing gender-based violence? Countering violent extremism? Mitigating the effects of climate change? Developing humanitarian response plans? Design, implement and evaluate a project based on your interests. Build essential skills in data collection and analysis as well as project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for a career as a program manager, a fast-growing profession in the global development field. All courses are delivered 100% online during eight-week e-terms—ideal for working professionals. Our online courses are taught by the same full-time faculty who also teach our on-campus courses. This means you are getting the same education online as you would on campus.

Potential careers

  • Program Manager
  • Foreign aid specialist
  • Foreign service officer
  • Humanitarian aid worker
  • International consultant
  • International development specialist
  • Monitoring & evaluation officer
  • Policy analyst
  • Risk analyst
  • Social enterprise specialist
  • Social policy manager
     
Contact

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GCHS Faculty

Meet Our Students

Curriculum & Requirements

The non-thesis MS degree in Global Conflict & Human Security is a ten course, thirty-credit program that can be completed in one year of full-time participation. 

The United Nations delineates seven issues related to human welfare that fall under its human security framework: economic security, food security, health security, environmental security, personal security, community security, and political security. Violent conflict threatens all of these. 

This unique program reflects global discussions about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and a humanitarian-development-peace nexus as an approach for creating holistic programs that address chronic threats to human security, such as poverty and disease, and contribute to social harmony and peace. 

You will acquire skills in international development policy and practice to build resilient societies in countries affected by state fragility, humanitarian crises and conflict. Choose a track focused on Program Management to learn best practices in project design, monitoring and evaluation OR a track focused on Policy and Administration to hone your skills in public policy analysis and public administration.

Program Delivery & Location: GCHS courses are offered entirely online. Start in the fall or spring and graduate in as little as 12 months.

 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Track (Full Time) 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
Term 1  
GCHS 810 Conflict & Human Security 3
DPP 980 Introduction to Community Development Projects 3
Term 2  
GCHS 830 International Development & Human Security 3
DPP 981 Project Design and Planning 3
 Credits12
Spring
Term 3  
GCHS 850 Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State 3
DPP 982 Project Implementation and Monitoring 3
Term 4  
GCHS 820 Global Governance 3
DPP 983 Project Evaluation 3
 Credits12
Summer
Term 5  
GCHS 840 Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus 3
GCHS-Approved Elective Course 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits30

 .

POLICY & ADMINISTRATION Track (Full Time)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
Term 1  
GCHS 810 Conflict & Human Security 3
DPP 980 Introduction to Community Development Projects 3
Term 2  
GCHS 830 International Development & Human Security 3
DPP 981 Project Design and Planning 3
 Credits12
Spring
Term 3  
GCHS 850 Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State 3
PA 804 Policy and Program Evaluation 3
Term 4  
GCHS 820 Global Governance 3
PA 908A Capstone in Public Administration 3
 Credits12
Summer
Term 5  
GCHS 840 Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus 3
GCHS-Approved Elective Course 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits30

The non-thesis MS degree can be completed in one year of full time participation. Students must complete ten courses totaling thirty credits to graduate. All courses are offered online. Students must choose ONE of the following tracks in Project Management or Policy & Administration. 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Track

BASIC Core Curriculum Courses (2 Courses)
GCHS 810Conflict & Human Security3
GCHS 820Global Governance3
ADVANCED Core Curriculum Courses (3 Courses)
GCHS 830International Development & Human Security3
GCHS 840Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus3
GCHS 850Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State3
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Courses (4 Courses) 2
DPP 980Introduction to Community Development Projects3
DPP 981Project Design and Planning3
DPP 982Project Implementation and Monitoring3
DPP 983Project Evaluation3
ELECTIVE Courses (1 Course)
GCHS-Approved Elective Course 13
Total Credits30

.POLICY & ADMINISTRATION Track

BASIC Core Curriculum Courses (3 Courses)
GCHS 810Conflict & Human Security3
GCHS 820Global Governance3
PA 908ACapstone in Public Administration3
ADVANCED Core Curriculum Courses (3 Courses)
GCHS 830International Development & Human Security3
GCHS 840Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus3
GCHS 850Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State3
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Courses (3 Courses)
DPP 980Introduction to Community Development Projects3
DPP 981Project Design and Planning3
PA 804Policy and Program Evaluation3
ELECTIVE Courses (1 Course)
GCHS-Approved Elective Course 13
Total Credits30
1

Students should consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance on available elective courses relevant to their interests.

2

With full faculty support, students carry out a four-term capstone project in their communities by completing actionable assignments throughout the series of four (4) applied project courses. 

The Global Conflict and Human Security program (GCHS) allows eligible undergraduate seniors to enroll in graduate level courses which can fulfill requirements for both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can apply to the Accelerated Master's GCHS program during their Junior or Senior year. Please review details on eligibility requirements for admission.

Eligible students who are admitted to the Accelerated Master's program may complete up to 12 credits at the 800-level during their undergraduate senior year, earning dual credit toward both their Bachelor's and GCHS degree. Accelerated Master's students should always consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance.

Accelerated Master's students may register for a maximum of 12 credits of graduate-­level courses prior to completing their bachelor's degree.

The GCHS program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis with the following undergraduate programs. The listed GCHS courses have been approved for credit in these undergraduate programs:

Global Studies Minor
GCHS 810Conflict & Human Security3
GCHS 820Global Governance3
GCHS 830International Development & Human Security3
GCHS 840Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus3
Terrorism Studies Minor
GCHS 810Conflict & Human Security3
GCHS 830International Development & Human Security3

Upon completion of the MS in Global Conflict and Human Security, students will be able to:

  • Explain competing schools of thought on relevant issues in key disciplines (for ex., peace and conflict studies, international development studies)
  • Conduct conflict analyses and develop policy recommendations
  • Conduct needs assessments and analyze the interrelatedness of distinct human security domains (economic security, food security, health security environmental security, personal security, community security, and political security)
  • Apply theory to practice by designing humanitarian, development, and/or peacebuilding programs 
  • Collect data and perform data analysis using qualitative and quantitative methodologies
  • Implement a development program (if applicable)
  • Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of humanitarian, development and/or peacebuilding programs
  • Communicate professionally and effectively across different cultures and social groups.

Apply now

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: August 1
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Online

New England Regional: CT RI VT

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Resume

A current resume is required with your submitted application.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

GRE Optional

The GRE scores are optional, if you wish to provide scores please email the scores directly to the department once you have submitted your application online.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

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Funding Your Education

Coverdell Fellows Award

coverdell photo

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who enroll via the Coverdell Fellows program are eligible to receive over $4,000 in education awards ($4,266 for in-state students or $4,753 for out-of-state students.) This amount represents about 25% of the total tuition costs.
Learn about the Coverdell Fellow program

Explore Program Details

Application

Can I complete the GCHS program on a part-time basis? 

Our Online GCHS program is designed so the full-time working professional can take classes on a part-time basis. Classes are conducted online and typically consist of an asynchronous curriculum combined with a small number of synchronous sessions over the term which, if offered, are held in the early evenings. 

Is the GRE required?

The GRE is not required but can be submitted, if desired.

Can I take a "test drive" before applying?

Yes. If you are unsure whether the Online GCHS program is a good fit, you are welcome to sit in on a class or take a GCHS course prior to matriculating into the program. Contact the Team


Financial Aid

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are a form of federal aid available to Graduate Students. To apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Additional Financial Aid Information

Does this program offer any Scholarships? 

The Carsey School of Public Policy offers a limited number of needs-based partial tuition scholarships to students who have submitted their online application and been accepted into the program. In order to be considered for a Carsey School Scholarship, please complete and submit your Online Scholarship Application Form. Applicants will be notified if they qualify for an award within two to three weeks after submitting a completed application. We also encourage students who are awarded a scholarship to leverage their award by seeking additional funding opportunities from other sources. Submit a Scholarship Application

What happens to my Carsey Scholarship award if I need to defer? 

Carsey Scholarships based on financial need are considered and awarded to individuals for the program year of application. If an admitted student who has been awarded a Carsey Scholarship needs to defer their start date due to financial reasons, their scholarship application will also be deferred and given priority reconsideration for the new program start date.

What alternative funding opportunities are available? 

We strongly encourage you to look into other outside scholarship opportunities. Domestic students are eligible for both private and federal loans. More detailed information can be found on the UNH Grad School’s Financial Aid webpage or at Tuition Management System.