Program Requirements

The minimum requirement is 72 units comprising:

The following core courses:

• NSPO8005 Australia's Security Challenges (12 units)

• NSPO8006 National Security Policy Making (12 units)

and

24 units of other approved electives relevant to national security or the candidate’s professional development.

and

A 24 unit sub-thesis.

Given the wide range of electives that could be considered relevant, and the significant potential for overlap between these electives, candidates for the MAdvNatSecPol program will need to choose electives according to some broad rules and must be approved by the Delegated Authority before enrolment. These rules are contained in the Working Rules. The College will publish a list of pre-approved electives for candidates to consider before enrolment commences each year. Candidates should not enrol in electives from outside the National Security College until they have formal approval from the Delegated Authority.

Note 1: Applicants for MAdvNatSecPol may seek status (credit) for no more than 12 units taken at another institution.

Award of Master of National Security Policy

The MAdvNatSecPol is awarded in two classes, which are determined by the candidate’s results in the coursework and sub-thesis course.

The requirement for award of the degree of MAdvNatSecPol First Class (I) will be a minimum mark of 50 per cent in each course, a minimum 80 per cent weighted average in the coursework component (including a mark of at least 80 per cent in each of the core courses), and a minimum mark of 80 per cent in the sub-thesis course.

The requirement for award of the degree of MAdvNatSecPol Second Class, Division A (II/A), will be a minimum mark of 50 per cent in each course, a 70 per cent weighted average in the coursework component (including a mark of at least 75 per cent in each of the core courses), and a minimum mark of 70 per cent in the sub-thesis course.

The requirement for award of the degree of MAdvNatSecPol Second Class, Division B (II/B), will be a minimum mark of 50 per cent in each course, a 70 per cent weighted average in the coursework component (including a mark of at least 75 per cent in each of the three core courses) and a minimum mark of 60 per cent in the sub-thesis course.

Candidates who do not achieve 60 per cent in the sub-thesis course may apply to transfer to the award of MNatSecPol.

The calculation of the weighted average in the coursework will be based on the initial 48 units of coursework undertaken for the MNatSecPol. Students may not use marks gained in any additional courses to seek a higher average. 

The information published on the Study at ANU 2012 website applies to the 2012 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2011 website.