Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.)

Global Conflict and Human Security (M.S.)

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Our UNH Online Master of Global Conflict & Human Security prepares students to solve the world’s most pressing problems with a career in humanitarian relief and global development. This program is partnered with the Peace Corps to support Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with the Coverdell Fellowship.  

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

Scholarship available for international students living outside the United States or territories
(subject to eligibility)
 

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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
     

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Build Peace and Resilience

Are you interested in countering violent extremism? Mitigating the effects of climate change? Developing humanitarian response plans? 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.

Student Spotlights & Program News

Alioune Mzeirigue headshot

Promoting Peace and Human Security

Promoting Peace and Human Security

For Alioune Mzeirigue, the turbulent state of global current affairs sparked a passion to promote...

Article
Nishanth Arulappan, a UNH student in the global conflict and human security program

Creating Positive Change in Areas of Fragility

Creating Positive Change in Areas of Fragility

Nishanth Arulappan was mid-way through medical school when he realized medicine could not be the...

Article
Claire FitzMorris '17

From Wildcat to Coverdell Fellow

From Wildcat to Coverdell Fellow

Claire FitzMorris was a University of New Hampshire undergraduate student, studying abroad in Spain,...

Article

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 a humanitarian-development-peace nexus as a platform for assisting people in conflict-affected societies. You will learn to design development programs that employ a holistic approach to provide humanitarian relief and build sustainable institutions and durable peace.

You will sharpen your critical thinking skills, learn techniques for addressing threats to human security and hone your ability to link theory to practice through project-based courses taught by industry leaders. You will acquire the skills to solve complex problems and improve the wellbeing of individuals in countries affected by state fragility, humanitarian crises and conflict.

The non-thesis MS degree in Global Conflict & Human Security can be completed in one year of full-time participation. Students must complete ten courses totaling 30 credits to graduate. All courses are offered online.

Required Courses
GCHS 810Conflict & Human Security3
GCHS 820Global Governance3
GCHS 830International Development & Human Security3
GCHS 840Environmental Security, Climate Change & Conflict3
GCHS 850Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State3
GCHS 860Research Methods3
GCHS 870Statistics & Data Analysis3
GCHS 880Project Design3
GCHS 890Project Management3
GCHS 898Capstone: Non-Thesis3
Total Credits30

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

  • Describe and explain competing schools of thought on relevant issues in two key disciplines:
    • a) peace and conflict studies (prevention, causes, dynamics, consequences, and resolution of armed conflict, peacebuilding)
    • b) international development studies (strategies to enhance human security and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals).
  • Conduct conflict analyses for specific countries and develop policy recommendations for peacebuilding.
  • Conduct human security needs assessments and analyze the interrelatedness of distinct human security domains in specific contexts (economic security, food security, health security environmental security, personal security, community security, and political security).
  • Apply theory to practice by designing humanitarian and development programs that contribute to good governance and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Collect data and perform data analysis using qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
  • Implement a humanitarian or development program (if applicable).
  • Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of humanitarian and development programs.
  • Communicate professionally and effectively across different cultures and social groups.

Deadlines

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

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: December 15
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Online

New England Regional: No

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.

Explore Program Details

University of New Hampshire - Carsey School of Public Policy

The online Global Conflict and Human Security (GCHS) master’s degree is housed in the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire. The Carsey School is nationally recognized for research, policy education, and bringing people together for thoughtful dialogue to address important societal challenges. The Carsey School's mission is to address pressing public issues by conducting research that is unbiased, accessible, and rigorous; offering education that provides students with research, policy, and political skills; and engaging with communities to bring people together for thoughtful dialogue and practical problem-solving.

Learn more The Carsey School of Public Policy >

Tuition & Fees:

The University of New Hampshire’s online graduate tuition and fees information is available on the UNH Business Services Website. Program costs and technology fees are subject to change.

Course Fees: Specific courses may have additional course fees. Visit the course schedule for more information. 

TUITION & FEES INFORMATION

Financial Aid:

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

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Scholarship available for international students living outside the United States or territories (subject to eligibility).  Contact UNH Online to learn more. 

COVERDELL FELLOWS AWARD

 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 to pursue our Global Conflict & Human Security M.S. 

Coverdell Fellowship Peace Corps UNH
COVERDELL FELLOWS BENEFITS

COVERDELL FELLOWS PROGRAM BENEFITS

 As a Coverdell Fellow, you'll receive a various number of benefits as a student.

Learn More >
Global Conflict and Human Security
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  • Meet a Global Conflict and Human Security M.S. Program Instructor: Dr. Kenly Fenio
    Meet a Global Conflict and Human Security M.S. Program Instructor: Dr. Kenly Fenio
  • A durable peace
    Growing up with media images of faraway children carrying machine guns struck a chord with Professor Melinda Negrón-Gonzales, lighting a spark that evolved into a lifelong interest in global studies and human conflict. Initially aspiring to journalism, she switched to anthropology, then eventually...
    A durable peace
    Growing up with media images of faraway children carrying machine guns struck a chord with Professor Melinda Negrón-Gonzales, lighting a spark that evolved into a lifelong interest in global studies and human conflict. Initially aspiring to journalism, she switched to anthropology, then eventually...