Arctic Security Program

Aurora borealis above an 熊猫在线视频n cityscape
The Aurora Borealis over Chugiak/Birchwood, north of Anchorage. (James Evans / University of 熊猫在线视频 Anchorage)

M.S. Interdsciplinary Studies: Arctic Security

UAA鈥檚 M.S. Interdisciplinary Studies gradute degree with an emphasis in arctic security prepares students to lead in one of the world鈥檚 most complex, interconnected, and rapidly changing regions. Students engage with the environmental, political, economic, sustenance, and defense dimensions of the Arctic, while also gaining critical insight into 熊猫在线视频 Native cultures and the importance of culturally informed leadership during times of crisis. The program offers multiple tracks, including environmental security, leadership, policy, and defense operations, or courses can be chosen across all tracks, providing for a comprehensive and customized academic experience. This program is uniquely positioned to serve both civilian and military professionals seeking to understand and shape the future of Arctic security. A vital degree with a timely purpose鈥攁nd an educational experience like no other.

Collaborative Partnerships

The program is well integrated with national and regional efforts to advance Arctic research and strategy. Launched in 2024, the Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC-ARCTIC) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Excellence hosted by UAA and funded with $46 million over ten years to support cutting-edge research in Arctic homeland security. UAA's graduate-level interdisciplinary degree with an emphasis in arctic security is a part of the project. UAA also partners with the , a U.S. Department of Defense Regional Center established in 2021. Through this collaboration, military fellows participate in the , combining strategic research, operational outreach, and academic coursework.

Overview and Course Distribution

Students pursuing this degree will create a Graduate Studies Plan that may be guided by a desired track or selected holistically across Environmental Security, Leadership, Defense Operations, or Policy tracks. The GSP functions as the student's interdisciplinary curriculum and is comprised of required core and elective courses for 30-33 credits. Additional courses (up to 45 credits) may be selected at the time the GSP is created. Courses are from multiple disciplines, across UA institutions. UAA offers all core courses and elective courses and offered between UAA and UAF.

The following table detail courses for students pursuing the M.S. Interdisciplinary Studies in Arctic Security. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.

Required Core Courses Environmental Security Leadership Defense Operations Policy
AKNS A461 Decolonizing Methodologies -or- ANTH A630 Advanced Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology x x x x
AKNS A346 熊猫在线视频 Native Politics and Contemporary Issues -or- AKNS A492 Cultural Knowledge of Elders x x x x
BIOL A669 Advanced Arctic Environmental Security x x x x
BIOL A646 Global Climate Change -or- BIOL A677 Tundra & Taiga x x x x
BIOL A682 Advanced Spatial Ecology -or- BIOL A690 Indigenous & Western Biological Knowledge x x x x
GRS A694 Interdisciplinary Learning x x x x
PADM A650 熊猫在线视频 Policy Studies -or- PADM A651 Issues in Arctic Policies x x x x

The following table detail courses for students pursuing the M.S. Interdisciplinary Studies in Arctic Security. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.

Electives

 Environmental Security Leadership Defense Operations Policy
ANTH A690D Advanced Studies in the Contemporary North x x x x
JPC A463 Crisis Communications x x x x
PADM A640 Dispute Resolution x x x x
GRS A693 Arctic Security and Strategy x x x x
ACNS F652 International Relations of the North x     x
AKNS A490 Advanced Topics in 熊猫在线视频 Native Studies       x
BA A402 熊猫在线视频 Native Corporation Leadership   x    
BA A632 Leadership and Organizational Behavior   x    
BA F391 熊猫在线视频 Native Corporations: A Historical and Contemporaneous Perspective       x
GEOL A663 Environmental Geochemistry x      
HS A624 Circumpolar Health Issues x x x  
HS A630 Public Health Emergencies and Disasters x      
HSEM F603 Disaster Management Policy       x
HSEM F605 Community Planning in Emergency Management     x  
HSEM F621 Circumpolar Competition-Arctic Diplomacy and Defense     x  
HSEM F607 Vulnerability and Protection     x  
HSEM F645 Crisis Management     x  
HSEM F656 Strategic Leadership   x    
HSEM F665 Strategic Collaboration       x
HSEM F690 Security and Disaster Management   x x  
LOG A661 Logistics and Global Supply Chain Management: Applications and Strategy (6 credits) x   x  
MBIO A670 Advanced Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease x      
NRM F649 Integrated Assessment and Adaptive Management x x x x
PADM A606 The Policy Making Process       x
PM A601 Project Management Fundamentals   x    
RD F601 Political Economy of the Circumpolar North       x
BIOL A678 Advanced Biological Oceanography x x x x

 

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