Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.)

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 Global Conflict and Human Security online master's degree program (GCHS) 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 civil unrest, and contribute to social harmony and peace. 

The Online GCHS program offers you the opportunity to acquire skills in international development policy and practice to build resilient communities in places affected by humanitarian crises. This includes all aspects of program design, monitoring and evaluation, peace building, and policy analysis. 

Our GCHS program is a ten course, thirty-credit program that students can complete in just one year, or two years with part-time enrollment.

• The GCHS program is fully online and is ideal for working professionals
• Study with international development practitioners and faculty who bring strong analysis and best practices to your learning
• Start in the fall, spring, or summer and graduate in as little as 12 months of full-time participation
• Choose the Project Management Track to learn best practices in project design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation or the Policy & Administration Track to hone your skills in public policy analysis, program evaluation, and public administration.
• The GRE is not required to apply for this degree program

Program Delivery & Location:  Core academic courses for the GCHS program are offered entirely online with choices for taking optional elective courses in person on the UNH campuses. Students who choose to participate in the Washington DC Colloquium experience will join students from other Carsey programs for a week in Washington, DC.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT Track (Full Time) 

 .

POLICY & ADMINISTRATION Track (Full Time)

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

.POLICY & ADMINISTRATION Track

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 (M.S.) 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 (4 3-credit courses) at the 800-level during their undergraduate senior year (unless otherwise indicated below). Credit earned counts toward both the undergraduate program and graduate degree.

The Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.) is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the below undergraduate programs.

The graduate 800-level courses listed below have been approved to be completed in the undergraduate senior year and earn credit toward both the undergraduate programs listed below and the GCHS (M.S.) degree program.

Accelerated Master's students should always consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for course selection guidance.

College of Health and Human Services

College of Professional Studies - Manchester

College of professional studies - online

Program Learning Outcomes

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 (Deadline extended to January 3 for Spring 2025)
• Summer: April 15
• 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.