Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Thesis-based program
Program overview
Our PhD program addresses a critical need for analysts who can study and assess the multitude of security threats that exist around the world, emphasizing the importance of both a theoretical and policy perspective. This thesis-based degree is focused on interdisciplinary work and is designed to help students interact with military officers, government personnel, security-focused NGOs, and military scholars. With flexible programs, leading scholars in a variety of disciplines, and highly competitive funding packages, we strive to ensure our PhD students achieve success in their strategic studies.
Completing this program
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Core Courses: Classics of Strategy, Advanced Analysis of International Relations and Strategic Studies.
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Block Week Course: Students will complete Military and Strategic Studies: Questions and Methods in the week preceding their first term.
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Additional Courses: May include arctic security, Canadian military studies, U.S. security, ethics and morality, intelligence, and other topics.
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Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
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Thesis: Students are required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
Outcomes
Banking, Police Service, Government, Military Procurement, Oil and Gas, NATO, Advocacy Groups.
A PhD in military and strategic studies is usually considered a final degree.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Courses
Three core courses and three electives
Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Four years full-time; six years maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
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Accepting InquiriesPolitical science, Political science -
Accepting Inquiries -
Accepting InquiriesSoviet military history, The Second World War, Soviet military and naval policy, The Soviet Union and southern Africa -
Accepting Inquiries -
Accepting InquiriesSocial Implications of Technology, Privacy and Security, Smart Communities, Technocreepiness, Cybersecurity and Cyberwarfare, Non-financial Applications of the Blockchain -
Accepting InquiriesHistory of Medicine and the Life Sciences, History and Philosophy of the Neurosciences, History of Physiology, Medical Visualizations throughout History, History of Public Mental Health and Psychiatry
Admission Requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
A completed Master's degree.
Work samples
A representative piece of written work, normally a master's thesis chapter or major research paper.
Documents
- A detailed statement of the proposed thesis research
- A completed application to the Centre, along with supporting documentation
- All post-secondary transcripts
Reference letters
Two
Test scores
None
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 in each section.
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in each course.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Jan. 15 application deadline (admission and funding)
- International students: Jan. 15 application deadline (admission and funding)
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies
Social Sciences 856
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Faculty of Arts
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4
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