Security and Resilience Studies

The Master of Science in Security and Resilience Studies is a first-of-its-kind graduate degree program that integrates traditional security studies with a focus on maximizing system and societal resilience. Resilience is defined as the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a community to survive, adapt, and grow despite what kind of environmental and societal threats, stresses, and shocks they may experience. 
 
In the 21st century, threats of all kinds are challenging communities, companies, and countries. These include terrorism, cyberattacks, natural disasters, migration, bioterrorism, climate change, and pandemics. Each one poses immediate and real social, economic, and physical challenges. There is an urgent need for professionals who can provide support to private and public organizations to better prepare for, withstand, rapidly recover from, and adapt to disruptive events.
 
Graduates of the program are able to deploy strategic systemic approaches to resilience and security, and are prepared for multiple career opportunities leading multiagency, multicommunity collaboration/planning and implementation efforts for private companies, nonprofits, and government organizations.

Learn more about the Master of Science in Security and Resilience Studies from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Register for their next Welcome Day for prospective students here.

More Details

We live in a world of increasing transnational risks, systemic vulnerabilities, and environmental challenges. Our Master of Science in Security and Resilience Studies program provides skills in data analysis, leadership, and systemic thinking to help the next generation of leaders build organizations, communities, and societies that can withstand forthcoming challenges. We have seen great success in placing students in a number of security and resilience-related industries. Our alumni are now working at CyberSheath Services International, LLC, Massachusetts Port Authority, Volpe Center, and the UnitedHealth Group.
 

Admissions Dates

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

• Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
  • C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • IELTS Academic
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

The need to devise strategies to survive disruptive events, recover quickly, and rebuild stronger clearly applies not only to local and national governments and their agencies but also to private industry. Resilience focuses on identifying risk, understanding the systems involved in that risk assessment, and the determination of how to mitigate it, as well as how to bounce back and adapt after disruption. Opportunities for graduates with resilience knowledge and skills are sought within: 

• Public safety and public health
• Energy/power
• Transportation
• Communications
• Supply chain management
• Government entities, including DHS, FBI, Secret Service, and branches of the military (as a private contractor)

Recent graduates of the MS in Security and Resilience Studies degree have found employment in a wide variety of opportunities, including:

• Data analyst: U.S. Marshal Service
• Program analyst and emergency management: FEMA
• Cybersecurity analyst: major health insurance corporation
• Aviation security specialist: Massachusetts Port Authority
• Security consultant for private industry customers
• Homeland Security Professional for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security
• Program Manager for Response and Recovery Operations at the Boston Public Health Commission 
• Investigator and Researcher at Summit Investigations
• Resilience Managers
• Risk Operations

• 1.Create your application

  Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.

• 2.Submit all required materials

  Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.

• 3.Check your application status

  Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.