UofC

Location: 8th floor, Social Sciences Building
Program number: 403.220.4038
Fax: 403.282.0594
Email address: artsgradsc@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL: cmss.ucalgary.ca

In addition to the requirements of the Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts, CMSS requires:

Master of Strategic Studies (MSS), course-based and thesis-based

a) A four-year bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of at least 3.40 on a four-point scale.

b) A writing sample.

c) For applicants to the thesis-based program, an agreement to supervise by a potential supervisor.

d) For applicants to the thesis-based program, a research proposal.

e) English language proficiency: TOEFL with a minimum score of 97 (Internet-based test); 7.0 on the IELTS test; 68 on the PTE test; a CAEL score of 70 (with no section less than 70); a Duolingo score of 135 (with no subscore below 115); or a Cambridge Proficiency score of 191. This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate with a minimum grade of "A-" in each course.

f) Two letters of reference.

g) For applicants in the thesis-based MSS, email confirmation from a potential supervisor who is interested in supervising the student's work is required.

Doctor of Philosophy

Applicants will be admitted only if the CMSS Graduate Committee is satisfied that adequate supervision is likely to be available for the duration of their studies. Successful applicants should be aware that admission to the program depends upon a match between student and faculty interests, as well as availability of faculty supervision. Students are also advised to consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Academic Regulations section in this calendar.

Prerequisites for admission to the PhD program are:

a) A completed master's degree.

b) Normally, a minimum of two years of professional, on-going experience (or equivalent) in the security and defence field.

c) A GPA of 3.70 on a four-point scale over all completed graduate courses in the master's program; 3.40 in the undergraduate program over the last 60 units or two years of study.

d) A detailed statement of the proposed thesis research explaining how the thesis would relate to one's work experience and/or professional career goals.

e) A representative piece of written work, normally a master's thesis chapter or major research paper.

f) A tentative agreement from a faculty member to supervise. Students need to contact potential supervisors at the beginning of the application process.

g) English language proficiency: TOEFL with a minimum score of 97 (Internet-based test); 7.0 on the IELTS test; 68 on the PTE test; a CAEL score of 70 (with no section less than 70); a Duolingo score of 135 (with no subscore below 115); or a Cambridge Proficiency score of 191. This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate with a minimum grade of "A-" in each course.

h) Two letters of reference.

i) Email confirmation from a potential supervisor who is interested in supervising the student's work is required.

Deadlines for the submission of complete applications are available on the Future Students website:

MSS (thesis-based): ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/military-security-strategic-studies-master-strategic-studies-thesis-based

MSS (course-based): ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/military-security-strategic-studies-master-strategic-studies-course-based

PhD: ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/military-security-strategic-studies-doctor-philosophy-thesis-based

In the course-based master’s program, advanced credit may be given for a maximum of two courses (6 units) at the senior undergraduate (500) level. The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to the required level for admission.

Master of Strategic Studies

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies requires that all master's students complete core courses and areas of concentration courses:

• History 655
• Political Science 685
• Strategic Studies 610
• Strategic Studies 612
• Strategic Studies 647

With the approval of the Graduate Program Director, any graduate course pertinent to the student's studies may be taken. Also consult the program website https://arts.ucalgary.ca/centre-military-security-strategic-studies for a list of other recommended graduate courses.

The Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies for our MSS thesis-based and course-based programs will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the CMSS and the other departments from which our students take courses.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

With the approval of the Graduate Director, students enrolled in the thesis- or course-based MSS program may apply to take one 500-level course for graduate credit but are required to complete additional requirements for the course.

Expected completion time for the thesis-based Master of Strategic Studies is two years and one year for the course-based MSS. Maximum completion time for both the thesis- and course-based MSS is four years.

Expected completion time for the PhD in Military and Strategic Studies is four years and maximum completion time is six years.

Master of Strategic Studies (thesis-based)

An incoming student for the thesis-based program must have a proof of agreement to supervise from one or more faculty members in the student’s proposed area of thesis research. Admission will not be granted without proof that adequate supervision is available during the applicant’s studies. The selection of an eligible Permanent Supervisor is made by mutual agreement between the student, the faculty member, and the Graduate Program Director. A permanent Supervisor should normally be appointed by the end of April of the first year of registration. At the time of appointment, the Permanent Supervisor should be currently active in research in an area related to the student’s interest.

Master of Strategic Studies (course-based)

There are no supervisors for the MSS course-based program.

Doctor of Philosophy

An incoming student must have a proof of agreement to supervise from one or more faculty members in the student’s proposed area of thesis research. Admission will not be granted without proof that adequate supervision is available during the applicant’s studies. The selection of an eligible Permanent Supervisor is made by mutual agreement between the student, the faculty member, and the Graduate Program Director. A permanent Supervisor should normally be appointed by the end of April of the first year of registration. At the time of appointment, the Permanent Supervisor should be currently active in research in an area related to the student’s interest.

The Supervisory Committee should be appointed as quickly as possible but no later than three months after the appointment of the Permanent Supervisor.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the program requires:

Candidacy

Doctoral students must complete a written thesis proposal, which is approved by their Supervisory Committee in a thesis proposal meeting, as well as pass oral and written Field of Study examinations. For complete details of candidacy requirements and examination format, see cmss.ucalgary.ca/phd/program_requirements.

Thesis Examination

Scheduling of the Examination

All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student's draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee

The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.