Masters (Coursework)
Commencing in 2021, all courses offered by the Crawford School will be available for either online or on campus study. The online and in person learning modes will assist you to secure an un-interrupted study experience in an uncertain world.
The Master of National Security Policy degree offers a world-class and policy-oriented qualification in national security, in line with the vision of the National Security College (NSC) as a joint initiative between The Australian National University and the Australian Government.
Our students learn about policy analysis, policy making and policy leadership.
Core courses provide foundations in concepts and practical policy skills, with a focus on navigating the national security landscape in Australia and the wider world.
Electives examine the horizon of present and future risks, from pandemics, foreign interference, terrorism and cyber attacks through to Indo-Pacific geopolitics, US-China tensions, information warfare, technological disruption, energy and environmental concerns. To address these challenges, students may develop a policy grounding in security-related aspects of such areas as bureaucracy, politics, ethics, history, risk-management, leadership and civil-military relations.
In recognition of the multidisciplinary and dynamic nature of contemporary national security, we also allow a wide range of electives elsewhere at ANU: our students shape their own security journey.
This Master’s degree offers a signature teaching model: each course integrates academic expertise from NSC, the Crawford School and across ANU with the insights of leading policy practitioners from Australia and internationally, drawing on the NSC’s trusted networks. Scenario and simulation exercises apply your knowledge to real policy challenges. This policy-oriented teaching provides our students with direct access to the world of government, enabling informed career choices. Our students become part of a supportive community of national security alumni, with opportunities to get involved in the wider public policy activities of the National Security College in Australia’s capital.
This degree equips graduates for careers in government – across the full spectrum of policy departments and intelligence agencies. It also prepares students for the many other professional pathways – in academia, the private sector, international organisations, media and civil society - where it matters to understand 21st century security.
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C
The Master of National Security Policy requires the completion of 72 units which must consist of:
12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
NSPO8006 National Security Policymaking
NSPO8007 National Security: Concepts and Methods
A minimum of 18 units from completion of national security policy courses from the following list:
NSPO8008 Ethical Challenges for National Security
NSPO8009 Cyber and Emerging Technologies in National Security
NSPO8012 Leadership, Risk and National Security Crisis Management
NSPO8028 History for Policymakers
NSPO8032 Geoeconomics and National Security
NSPO8033 Climate, the Environment and National Security
NSPO8034 China, America and National Security
NSPO8035 Australia’s Strategic Environment and Future Security Challenges
NSPO8036 Australian National Security Law: An introduction for policymakers
A minimum of 6 units from completion of national security issues courses from the following list
NSPO8040 Gender and Security
NSPO8041 Borders, Migration and Security
NSPO8042 Civil Military-Relations
NSPO8043 Pandemics, Infectious Diseases and National Security
NSPO8044 Energy Security
NSPO8045 Propaganda and Information War
NSPO8046 Terrorism and National Security
NSPO8047 How Canberra Works: a guide for security policymakers
NSPO8048 The Future of Intelligence
NSPO8049 Security in the Indo-Pacific
A minimum of 6 units from the following experiential courses:
ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program Internship A (Graduate)
POGO8140 Practice-Based Project
CRWF7000 Applied Policy Project
CRWF8019 Public Policy and Professional Internship
NSPO8037 Research Project
A maximum of 24 units from completion of security, strategy and policy courses from the following list:
Cyber Studies
LAWS8035 Cyber Warfare Law
LAWS8077 Cyber Law
SOCY6064 Surveillance and Society
SOCY6066 Social Science of the Internet
Global Security
DIPL8006 Diplomacy, Politics and the United Nations
INTR8062 Humanitarianism in World Politics
INTR8065 Writing International Relations
INTR8067 U.S. Security Policy in the Asia-Pacific
MEAS8115 Islam in World Politics
REGN8007 Violence Against Women in Australia, Asia and the Pacific
STST8002 The New Power Politics of Asia
Public Policy
IDEC8021 The Chinese Economy
INTR8017 Issues in Australian Foreign Policy
INTR8068 Foreign Policy Analysis
POGO8402 Political and Institutional Architecture of Public Policy
POGO8401 Foundations in Public Policy
POGO8136 Participating in Public Policy: Citizen Engagement and Public Talk
POGO8083 Policy Advocacy
POGO8076 Corruption and Anti-Corruption
POGO8045 International Policymaking in the Shadow of the Future
POGO8138 Science, Technology and Public Policy
POGO8235 Engaging China: Working with Policymakers in the PRC
POGO8233 Policy Tools & Mixes
POGO8234 Unpacking Policy Capacity
POGO8231 Leading in Public Administration
POGO8021 Public Sector Ethics
POGO8062 Public Sector Management
REGN8052 Regulation and Governance
Strategy and Defence
STST8001 Strategic Studies
STST8004 Australian Strategic and Defence Policy
STST8013 China’s Defence and Strategic Challenges
STST8021 Intelligence and Security
STST8026 Nuclear Strategy in the Asian Century
STST8027 Insurgency & Counterinsurgency in Modern Warfare
STST8056 Strategy and Southeast Asia: Defence and Security Dynamics
STST8068 Asian Strategy and Security: History, Theory, and Practice
Resources and the Environment
EMDV8009 Asia Pacific Environmental Conflicts: Causes and Solutions
EMDV8079 Water Politics on a Modified Planet
EMDV8080 International Climate Change Policy and Economics
EMDV8081 Domestic Climate Change Policy and Economics
EMDV8124 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
IDEC8089 Energy Economics
A maximum of 24 units from completion of a research thesis:
NSPO8031 Thesis (24 units)