Professional Master of Science in Global and National Security (PMS-GNS)

The GNSPI Professional Master of Science in Global and National Security (PMS-GNS) is an interdisciplinary graduate degree taught by expert UNM faculty and security practitioner-scholars.  

The mission of the graduate program is to serve those who serve our global & national security needs by developing the next generation of leaders in security policy to solve problems analytically, think critically, act ethically, and communicate persuasively to produce effective policy that will address our world's many security needs. 

The curriculum features an intensive (most courses are 8-weeks), rigorous, and flexible curriculum built for working professionals. The program can be completed entirely online--with some in-person options for local students. Students can take as many or as few courses at a time that meets their needs. The curriculum covers a wide range of security topics, organized into three focus areas: 

  • Critical & Emerging Technology Policy (e.g., cybersecurity, directed energy, AI, nuclear security)
  • National Security Policy & Strategy (e.g., US national security policy, nuclear security, non-proliferation, deterrence, regional security studies)
  • Transnational Security Policy (e.g., global health security, energy security, food & water security, cross-border terrorism)

Beyond knowledge building of critical areas, students learn how to analyze policy and write various ways to effectively communicate new policy ideas to maximize their influence.  

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PMS-GNS Graduation Requirements:

Successful completion of 33 credit hours (see advising sheet [coming soon])

Required course — 1 course (3 credit hours):

  • GLNS 500 Intro to Global & National Security Policy

Foundational courses — 4 courses (12 credit hours) from this list:

  • GLNS 502 Ethics of AI in Autonomous Systems
  • GLNS 505 Ethics for National Security & Intelligence Professionals
  • GLNS 515 National Security and Intelligence Analysis
  • GLNS 520 Human Decision Making
  • GLNS 540 Globalization & National Security
  • GLNS 570 Fundamentals of National Security Law
  • GLNS 580 American National Security Policy & Procedure

Examples of elective courses — 6 courses (18 credit hours):

  • GLNS 504 Design of Human-Centered AI in Autonomous Systems 
  • GLNS 510 Cyber & National Security
  • GLNS 511 Intro Directed Energy
  • GLNS 513 Cyber Risk, Ethics, and Law
  • GLNS 530 Environmental Security: Energy
  • GLNS 531 Environmental Security: Food & Water
  • GLNS 560 Global Nuclear Security
  • GLNS 561 Nuclear Safeguards & Nonproliferation
  • GLNS 564 Deterrence and Global Security
  • GLNS 575 Global Health Security: Threats, Policies, and Politics 
  • GLNS 576 Global Health Security: Climate, Disease, and Public Health
  • GLNS 581 Issues in American National Security
  • GLNS 590 U.S.-Latin America Strategic Partnership
  • GLNS 595 Topics: Indo-Pacific Security and Strategy
  • GLNS 595 Topics: Bio-Terrorism and Global Security
  • GLNS 595 Topics: Astrostrategic Policy and the History of Space Conflict
  • GLNS 595 Topics in Global & National Security
  • GLNS 597 GNSPI Capstone: Communication for Policy Professionals

Course Descriptions 

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Tuition and Fees Information

The cost per course (3 credit hours), assuming Fall 2026 tuition rates and NM Resident Tuition, is $1,738.86.

  •  This number includes tuition ($1,058.34), mandatory fees ($202.08), and the GNSPI-specific tuition differential that funds the graduate program ($478.44).
  • Non-NM residents from Western States and Territories can get in-state tuition through the Western Regional Graduate Program. For more info and details on applying, please contact us at gnspi@unm.edu.

For the degree, assuming 33 credit hours (11 courses) and current tuition rates, the degree will cost $19,127.46.

  • See UNM's Tuition Calculator for the full breakdown.
  • Note: UNM tuition is subject to change annually based on Board of Regents decisions. 

Funding Information

The most common ways our students fund their studies are through their employer's tuition assistance programs and military benefits. We work closely with the Veteran & Military Resource Center to ensure military and veteran students can apply their benefits.

Students who do not get their tuition covered by their employer or other sources can consider the following options. 

  • Assistantships 
    • GNSPI offers one half-time assistantship per year to work on research and GNSPI project-related duties, reporting to the GNSPI Director. The assistantship comes with a monthly stipend, student health insurance and a tuition benefit of 6 credit hours. 
    • Other programs on campus often hire assistantships available to those outside their department. See here for more info and link to the assistantship openings. 
  • Scholarships
    • The Graduate Student Success Scholarship (GSSS) is for graduate students with demonstrable financial need to continue or complete their degree programs. Awards range from $1,000 to $7,500. GNSPI will send instructions to apply to the student LISTSERV at the beginning of the fall semester. See here for more information. 
    • The Graduate and Professional Student Association offers several grants and scholarships to fund grad student research, travel, professional development, and the cost of research materials. See here fore more information. 
    • The NM Higher Education Department offers a competitive scholarship for NM residents for tuition and fees (but does not cover tuition differential). See here for more information. 
    • You can learn more about scholarships through the UNM Alumni Association. 
    • UNM Graduate Studies keeps a list of external scholarship options here. 

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Application Requirements and Process

To qualify for admission to the Global & National Security Professional Master of Science online degree program, the following are required with your application.

  • Students must have a BA or BS in any major with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. For those below this threshold, please address your GPA in your letter of intent with an explanation of why it won't be a concern for the graduate degree. 
  • Transcripts
  • A letter of intent that will also serve as a writing sample. In your letter, please address why this program is fitting for your career or other goals and what aspects of your background, character, skills, or personality will make you a good fit for an intensive, self-disciplined online program.
  • A current resume
  • For Regular Admissions,* three letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, mentors, managers, or employers. It is helpful to have at least one address the applicant's time management and ability to stay on task and one academic reference that can speak to your academic promise.
  • For Regular Admissions,* applications must be completed by the deadlines listed below. 

  • Regular Admissions* will go through a pre-admissions review by committee to determine your academic potential.

  • *For Expedited Applications, we will waive the deadline, letters of recommendation requirements, and waive the pre-admissions review. In their place, students must pass a First Semester Review of their academic performance after the completion of GLNS500: Intro to Global & National Security Policy.

  • Note: No GRE required.
  • We welcome students from outside the U.S. but do not offer support for students to travel and live in the USA.

Application Process

  1. Submit your application
  2. For Regular Admissions, the admissions committee will review applications after the deadlines (see below)
  3. Once the review is complete, GNSPI will contact you to set up an informal, virtual interview with the Director as the last step. You will be notified in that interview whether you are accepted. 
  4. Once admitted, you will meet with the GNSPI Advisor, Jennifer Nieto, to plan a Program of Studies.
  5. Last, you will register for courses

Application Deadlines

Fall Admittance

  • Regular Admissions deadlines have passed for Fall 2026, see instructions below for Expedited Admissions.
    • April 15, 2026 is the deadline for Regular Admissions for Fall 2027.
  • No deadline for Expedited Admissions*

Spring Admittance

  • Regular Admissions deadline: October 15
  • No deadline for Expedited Admissions*

Regular Admissions require students provide the following, before review by the admissions committee.

  • a letter of intent that 

*The Expedited Application process waives the letters of recommendation, deadline, and pre-admissions review. In their place, students undergo their official review based on scholastic performance after completing the GLNS500: Intro to Global & National Security Policy course in their first semester. This option is built for students who may have trouble finding academic letters of recommendation or those who have missed the deadline. It might also be useful for those wishing to be evaluated based on their performance in the first course, rather than their potential, which is how regular admissions evaluate applicants. Expedited applications are taken on a rolling basis with no deadline, but space may be limited. It's best to apply early to ensure your spot. If you are unsure whether the Expedited Application is right for you, please reach out to us at gnspi@unm.edu. 

Note: When applying through the Expedited Application process, you will still have to input the names and contact info for letters of recommendation for the system to allow you to submit your application. Please use Philip Hultquist, gnspi@unm.edu, 505-277-5115 for the contact info in all three places. 

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Military Friendly

The programs at GNSPI are well-suited for military servicemembers looking to level up their credentials with a civilian degree providing a holistic view of global & national security.

Our National Security Policy & Strategy concentration is built by a former Professional Military Education professor for military officers seeking a deeper study on the nature and character of war and strategy. The GNSPI Director built this concentration and teaches several courses in it based on his experience as the course author for "Strategy" in the Advanced Military Leadership Studies Program (ASLSP) and "The Strategic Context of Operational Art" in the Advanced Military Studies Program at the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS). 

Our Critical & Emerging Technology Policy concentration is perfect for servicemembers seeking a non-technical education on emerging technologies that get limited exposure in PME or traditional career tracks. These courses will blend well for servicemembers wanting to bring new knowledge and skills back to their units and use them as they get promoted. The concentration also pairs well with servicemembers seeking to work on the STEM side of national security after their military service. 

Our Transnational Security Policy concentration is well-suited for servicemembers who want a holistic view of security to understand the connections between traditional security and non-traditional security topics like Global Health Security and Environmental Security. The knowledge and skills from this concentration also pair well for servicemembers who seek to transfer to the non-profit sector after their military service. 

The modality is perfect for military members with the option to complete the entire program online. The program is accelerated but flexible meaning that servicemembers can move through courses quickly when their work tempo allows and step away when the tempo speeds up, sometimes at unpredictable times. 

UNM takes pride in being friendly to the military. It's Veteran and Military Resource Center provides excellent assistance to all military-affiliated students. UNM earned Gold Level status as a Military Friendly School, is recognized as a Military Friendly Spouse School, and listed in the Best for Vets College list from Military Times. UNM also has long-running and well-established ROTC programs from all services that keep the university connected to the military. Albuquerque is home to Kirtland Air Force Base, with numerous military and Sandia National Lab units that enrich student life through speaking, mentoring, and career pipeline opportunities. 

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For more information or to ask any questions about the degree or application process, please contact us at gnspi@unm.edu.