Program Spotlight: Master of Defense and Strategic Studies
With cyberwarfare and global terrorism continuing to be a threat to citizens in the United States and abroad, the need for educated civilians and military personnel in defense and strategic studies continues to grow. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that careers in this sector will have a much faster than average growth of 18% by 2024, including positions in information security analysis. An online Master of Defense and Strategic Studies degree can prepare you for the anticipated growth in this challenging and vital field.
What does defense and strategic studies entail?
UTEP Connect offers a 100-percent online degree in defense and strategic studies. This fast-paced master’s degree program consists of 36 semester credits with 12 accelerated 7-week courses. The program’s flexible curriculum makes it suitable for both military and civilian students currently working in or preparing for careers in intelligence and national security. This program of study includes courses in:
- U.S. National and Global Security
- Cyberwarfare
- Low-Intensity Conflict
- Strategic Theory and Modern Warfare
- Information Operations
- Strategic Surveys (exploring key military strategic issues throughout the world)
- Future Warfare
Who is best suited for this course of study?
This course of study is well suited to students who are interested in defense and strategic careers, open to learning about different viewpoints from around the world and able to understand the big picture when it comes to keeping the country and the world safe from war, terrorism and cyberwarfare. Being capable of critical thought and having analytical skills and knowledge is necessary to be successful in this field.
Career prospects in this field
Various agencies and branches of the federal government offer a range of career opportunities in defense and strategy fields, as do major defense contractors and cybersecurity firms. With an online Master of Defense and Strategic Studies degree, you will be prepared to work with these employers in a field with above-average growth.
Prospective careers to consider include:
- Homeland defense specialist
- Intelligence analyst
- Defense budget analyst
- Intelligence collector
- Cyberwarfare specialist
- Security operations manager
- Federal special agent
- Military staff officer
- Defense consultant
- Research and development specialist
There will be increased job opportunities within these rewarding fields over the coming years, allowing you to protect and defend the citizens of the U.S. and the world. However, the competition for these positions will be strong. Completing UTEP’s online Master of Defense and Strategic Studies degree program will help you gain the knowledge you need to compete in this career field.
What's next?
Interested in learning more about UTEP Connect and our 100% online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs? Reach out, and an enrollment counselor will contact you directly.