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International Security Studies (ISS) is a specialization under International Relations master’s degree program at Collegium Civitas. This unique program, run under the auspices of the Terrorism Research Center, is designed to train future leaders in the field of security. Our successful alumni work in public administration, foreign service, the media and private business. Admissions for the academic year 2024/2025 are open!
During the studies the students will take a close look at various aspects of security, incl. terrorism, cybersecurity, transnational crime, hybrid threats, environmental challenges. They will have a chance to work their own research papers which can be published!
Why Poland?
The program is profiting from its geopolitical location – Poland. Poland – now a member country of the European Union and the NATO – has undergone a tremendous economic and socio-political transformation since 1989. Poland is a country of a dramatic history – with consequences crucial for the understanding of global politics, especially in the broad context of security.
The Program
The participants will take a close look at various aspects of security, including but not limited to: terrorism, cybersecurity, war and peace, disinformation, transnational crime, hybrid threats, environment, conflict resolution, intelligence. This program is aimed at ambitious, hardworking young professionals and/ or graduate students who intend to pursue their career to the benefit of the public in international organizations, law enforcement, national security agencies, think tanks or in private sector – understanding the role of the public-private partnership in addressing the current security challenges.
The participants will have the unique possibility to take part in an exclusive educational venture that combines theory and practical approach. During the studies participants will learn how to write an analytical report, what’s the key for a successful briefing and they will work on their own research papers (analyzing a selected security issue of their interest) under the supervision of mentors from the Terrorism Research Center. The best papers by students will be published and disseminated in Poland and abroad – which is yet another asset of our alumni on the job market.
Perspectives on the job market
Upon graduation the alumni will have numerous competitive advantages on the global labor market, incl. the broad international outlook, deep knowledge of key security issues and the methods of countering the threats, understanding of the shifting paradigm in security, practical analytical skills, master’s degree diploma issued by one of the best non-public universities in Poland, European Union and last, but not least: being part of the network of experts in security from around the world composed of ISS alumni, lecturers and experts at the Terrorism Research Center.
In 2021 the master’s degree program in International Security Studies has been awarded by the National Competition and Accreditation Program “Future-Proof Studies” which confirms not only the highest quality of education, but also that the program meets the needs of the labor market.
Academic supervision
This state of the art program is supervised by two Collegium Civitas Vice-Rectors and experts on security: Dr. Paulina Piasecka and Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska.
Dr. Paulina Piasecka is an expert in the area of international terrorism and cybersecurity. She holds the position of Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Collegium Civitas. She is a former senior expert in the Counter-terrorism Unit of the Ministry of Interior and Administration of the Republic of Poland, and Head of Unit for Non-Military Security (Department of Legal and Non-Military Affairs) at National Security Bureau, Poland. Dr. Piasecka was a participant of the US State Department “International Visitor Leadership Program” in the area of cybersecurity. She is the Director of the Terrorism Research Center at Collegium Civitas. She is a co-author and editor of publications on cybersecurity, information analysis, and international terrorism and counterterrorism. She runs a popular podcast series “Dangerous Topics according to Dr. Piasecka” on YouTube and Spotify. Dr. Piasecka is a frequent expert commentator on Polish and international media.
Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska is the Vice-Rector for International Relations at Collegium Civitas, Warsaw, Poland. She also is the Director of the Summer School and Study Abroad Program “Security and Society in the Information Age” at Collegium Civitas. Her research focuses on the history and development of political extremism and terrorism with particular emphasis on media coverage of terrorism. She is a member of the Scientific Board of the Terrorism Research Centre and Lecturer at Collegium Civitas where she teaches courses on: geography of terrorism, introduction to security studies, colonialism and decolonization. As a visiting scholar she held lectures, among other institutions, at West Virginia University, Philippine Public Safety College and UNJANI – Indonesia Military University. Dr. Maniszewska is the author of the book “Towards a New Definition of Terrorism: Challenges and Perspectives in a Shifting Paradigm”. In 2024 she was awarded The Kosciuszko Foundation research fellowship at Program on Extremism, George Washington University. She is the recipient of Collegium Civitas Rector’s Award for Teaching 2023, and in 2021 she was awarded as one of the best teachers by the Students of Collegium Civitas.
Fast facts:
- International Security Studies (ISS)
- International Relations, Master’s Degree Program under the auspices of the Terrorism Research Center, Collegium Civitas
- Tuition fee: 9240 PLN (approx. 2300 USD) per semester.
- Duration of the program: 4 semesters (2 years)
- Information about the program & admission requirements: https://www.civitas.edu.pl/en/academic-offer/international-security-studies-ma-full-time-english/description-international-security-studies-ma-full-time-english