Qualification Regulations
Part I
These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Part II
Admission
1. Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security requires that the candidate will meet the University admission requirements as specified, and shall:
(a) have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor's degree; or
(b) be able to demonstrate scholarly work in conjunction with extensive relevant professional experience for Admission with Equivalent Status.
Qualification requirements
2. Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security shall follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits, comprising:
(a) courses listed in the Schedule to the Diploma;
and including:
(b) any compulsory courses listed in the Schedule to the Diploma;
(c) attendance, as required, at contact workshops, block courses, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories.
3. Notwithstanding Regulation 2, with the permission of the Academic Board or their delegate, a candidate who has completed 149.821 whilst enrolled the Master of International Security may be permitted to substitute this course for a course or courses included in the schedule for the Diploma.
Specialisations
4. The Postgraduate Diploma in International Security is awarded with or without an endorsement.
5. Candidates may complete an endorsement by passing at least 60 credits in an endorsement. The requirements for each endorsement are set out in the Schedule to the Diploma.
6. The endorsements available for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security are: Defence, Border and Biosecurity, Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism.
Student progression
7. In cases of sufficient merit, the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security may be awarded with distinction or merit.
Completion requirements
8. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.
9. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes. Candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in International Security should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.
Unsatisfactory academic progress
10. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.
Transitional provisions
11. Subject to the Maximum Time to Completion and Abandonment of Study provisions specified in the Part I regulations to the diploma, candidates who commenced study towards the Border and Biosecurity endorsement prior to 01 January 2022 may substitute 294770 (if already completed) for 294716. These transition arrangements expire 31 December 2025.
Schedule for the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Compulsory course
Course code: 294720 Security Concepts and Structures credits 30
This course develops core conceptual and structural understandings of the study of security. It outlines the philosophical frameworks underpinning the international security environment with particular attention given to foundational challenges in defence, terrorism, intelligence, regional security and border and biosecurity. Exploring these challenges provides a basis for examining a diverse range of international security factors, and evaluating the major ethical implications of security issues and responses.
View full course detailsEndorsements
Border and Biosecurity (60 credits)
Course code: 294712 Economic and Environmental Security credits 30
This course offers an in-depth exploration and critical examination of contemporary environmental and economic security issues using theoretical analyses of case studies to propose alternative options for negotiating and/or governing wide ranging complex security issues.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294716 Securing Mobility in an Uncertain World credits 30
This course is an advanced study of the dynamics of mobility and security in a globalised world. Mobility is central to the movement of goods, people, bio-organisms and ideas around the globe. The course will equip students with methodological tools to deconstruct the dynamics of mobility and construct solutions.
View full course detailsCounter-Terrorism (60 credits)
Course code: 294709 Terrorism credits 30
This course is an advanced study of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation. It critically examines the various theories, concepts and typologies of these phenomena, as well as response options and the challenges they pose in the contemporary international security environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294713 Counter-Terrorism credits 30
The course provides an overview of international Counter-Terrorism policy, strategy and operations as context for considering the challenges around implementing Counter-Terrorism operations and policy analysis in the New Zealand.
View full course detailsDefence (60 credits)
Course code: 294704 Command, Leadership and Management credits 30
An advanced study of the interrelated components of command, leadership and management with an emphasis on how these are applied in the contemporary security environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294714 Applied Security Planning Exercise credits 30
An applied professional practice course that seeks to apply the NZ whole of government problem solving framework to develop potential solutions to evolving security challenges.
View full course detailsIntelligence (60 credits)
Course code: 294741 Intelligence in the International Security Environment credits 30
An analysis of intelligence in the international security environment, focusing on key concepts and methodologies of intelligence gathering and analysis, the intelligence cycle, and analysis of applied intelligence in investigations and detection.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294744 Intelligence Operations credits 30
This course provides a critical analysis of security intelligence operations, utilising research and observations from selected case studies to understand the changing nature of intelligence and critically appraise the role of intelligence in national and international security operations.
View full course detailsWithout Specialisation (120 credits)
Subject courses
Compulsory course
Course code: 294720 Security Concepts and Structures credits 30
This course develops core conceptual and structural understandings of the study of security. It outlines the philosophical frameworks underpinning the international security environment with particular attention given to foundational challenges in defence, terrorism, intelligence, regional security and border and biosecurity. Exploring these challenges provides a basis for examining a diverse range of international security factors, and evaluating the major ethical implications of security issues and responses.
View full course details90 credits from
Course code: 294701 New Zealand National Security credits 30
A study of security theory and the domestic and international factors affecting New Zealand's strategic environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294704 Command, Leadership and Management credits 30
An advanced study of the interrelated components of command, leadership and management with an emphasis on how these are applied in the contemporary security environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294709 Terrorism credits 30
This course is an advanced study of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation. It critically examines the various theories, concepts and typologies of these phenomena, as well as response options and the challenges they pose in the contemporary international security environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294712 Economic and Environmental Security credits 30
This course offers an in-depth exploration and critical examination of contemporary environmental and economic security issues using theoretical analyses of case studies to propose alternative options for negotiating and/or governing wide ranging complex security issues.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294713 Counter-Terrorism credits 30
The course provides an overview of international Counter-Terrorism policy, strategy and operations as context for considering the challenges around implementing Counter-Terrorism operations and policy analysis in the New Zealand.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294714 Applied Security Planning Exercise credits 30
An applied professional practice course that seeks to apply the NZ whole of government problem solving framework to develop potential solutions to evolving security challenges.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294715 Asia-Pacific Security Environment credits 30
An advanced study of security theory and domestic and international factors affecting the Asia-Pacific security environment with emphasis given to strategic, national security and defence policy in the region
View full course detailsCourse code: 294716 Securing Mobility in an Uncertain World credits 30
This course is an advanced study of the dynamics of mobility and security in a globalised world. Mobility is central to the movement of goods, people, bio-organisms and ideas around the globe. The course will equip students with methodological tools to deconstruct the dynamics of mobility and construct solutions.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294717 Human Security in Application credits 30
This course examines critical analysis and application of human security in national and international contexts. This would allow the participants to understand and engage in a wide range of theoretical studies and practical projects on human security.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294741 Intelligence in the International Security Environment credits 30
An analysis of intelligence in the international security environment, focusing on key concepts and methodologies of intelligence gathering and analysis, the intelligence cycle, and analysis of applied intelligence in investigations and detection.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294744 Intelligence Operations credits 30
This course provides a critical analysis of security intelligence operations, utilising research and observations from selected case studies to understand the changing nature of intelligence and critically appraise the role of intelligence in national and international security operations.
View full course detailsElective courses
Course code: 176702 Advanced Social Inquiry credits 30
An advanced study of methodological issues pertinent to social research. The course is designed to assist the planning of postgraduate theses and reports.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294701 New Zealand National Security credits 30
A study of security theory and the domestic and international factors affecting New Zealand's strategic environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294715 Asia-Pacific Security Environment credits 30
An advanced study of security theory and domestic and international factors affecting the Asia-Pacific security environment with emphasis given to strategic, national security and defence policy in the region
View full course detailsCourse code: 294717 Human Security in Application credits 30
This course examines critical analysis and application of human security in national and international contexts. This would allow the participants to understand and engage in a wide range of theoretical studies and practical projects on human security.
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