Master of Professional Studies in Security and Terrorism Studies, Online
START Graduate Programs are housed in the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The programs investigate questions related to terrorism, counterterrorism, and community resilience.
Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students should contact the education team, via email: education-start@umd.edu.
Overview
The Master of Professional Studies in Security and Terrorism Studies, Online (MPTS) has a 36-credit, 12-course curriculum that provides students with advanced education on the causes, dynamics, and impacts of terrorism and wider issues related to human security in a complex world.
- Uses a "whole of social sciences" approach to prepare students to examine the complex social, political, economic, and psychological underpinnings of terrorist and security threats and is designed to meet the following objectives:
- Provides a rigorous theoretical background for security, defense, and intelligence professionals.
- Develops methodological skills as analysts and researchers in security, defense, and intelligence.
- Fosters cross-cutting student research in security, defense, and intelligence.
- Inculcates comprehensive ethical standards in security, defense, and intelligence analysis.
- Introduces students to a variety of data collection, analysis, and interpretation strategies.
- Appropriate for individuals interested in (and/or currently) working in fields related to intelligence analysis, homeland security analysis, or analysis of other relevant topic areas; and individuals interested in (and/or currently) conducting scholarly research on terrorism and security.
- Program can be completed in four semesters of continuous full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment is welcome. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status.
Courses
Below is a listing of all program courses. For a detailed course description that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see The Graduate School Catalog, Course Listing as follows: BSST Course Descriptions.
| Course Number | Title |
|---|---|
| BSST630 | Terrorist Motivations and Behaviors |
| BSST631 | Societal Impacts of and Responses to Terrorism |
| BSST633 | Research Methods in Terrorism and Counterterrorism |
| BSST634 | Legal and Criminal Approaches to Counterterrorism |
| BSST635 | Countering Violent Extremism: Policy and Practice |
| BSST636 | Quantitative Methods in Terrorism Studies |
| BSST637 | Qualitative Methods in Terrorism Studies |
| BSST640 | Theories of Security and Terrorism Studies |
| BSST641 | U.S. Security Infrastructure |
| BSST642 | Analytic Methods |
| BSST643 | Great Powers & Near-Peer Competition |
| BSST645 | Non-state Actors Threats and Responses |
| BSST664 | Counterproliferation |
| BSST697 | Capstone |
| BSST698 | Seminar in Terrorism Studies |
| BSST699 | Independent Study in Terrorism Studies |
Registration Overview
- See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director.
- Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary semester to semester. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite.
- Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.
- The program uses specific section codes for registration, which are listed on the sample plan of study.
Sample Plan of Study, Full-time
| Semester | Year | Course Number | Section Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 1 | BSST630 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 1 | BSST634 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 1 | BSST640 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 1 | BSST631 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 1 | BSST633 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 1 | BSST641 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 2 | BSST635 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 2 | BSST642 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 2 | BSST*** | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 2 | BSST643 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 2 | BSST636 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 2 | BSST697 | PWT* | 3 |
Sample Plan of Study, Part-time
| Semester | Year | Course Number | Section Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 1 | BSST630 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 1 | BSST640 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 1 | BSST631 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 1 | BSST633 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 2 | BSST634 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 2 | BSST635 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 2 | BSST641 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 2 | BSST643 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 3 | BSST642 | PWT* | 3 |
| Fall | 3 | BSST*** | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 3 | BSST636 | PWT* | 3 |
| Spring | 3 | BSST697 | PWT* | 3 |
Overall
- Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in fall and spring semester (16 weeks each).
- Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field
Online Learning
- Features 100% online instruction with engaging and interactive learning.
- Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in fall and spring semester (16 weeks each).
- Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field.
- Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content.
- Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction permits asynchronous or synchronous participation.
- Lectures are video archived. Students who are unable to attend in real time can review the session through asynchronous participation.
Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of security and intelligence agencies at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels.
- Develop a research design to test hypotheses in a given analytical framework.
- Recognize relevant ethical argumentation for and against security and intelligence gathering and analysis activities.
- Identify and understand key challenges in the analysis of security and terrorism threats.