Master of Science in Strategy in Security and Defense Technologies
Advance your career in national defense with Purdue University’s Master of Science (MS) in Strategy in Security and Defense Technologies. Designed for military, government, and defense professionals, this 100% online program blends strategy, technology, and leadership to prepare you for critical roles in security and defense innovation.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Overview
Lead with purpose in national and homeland security.
The Master of Science in Strategy in Security and Defense Technologies aligns with Purdue’s FORCES Initiative, combining policy, technology, and social science to help students become leaders in defense innovation and homeland security preparedness. You’ll learn how to apply advanced analytical tools and ethical frameworks to solve modern national security challenges and strengthen defense operations.
This program also offers a pathway for students who begin with the Strategic Defense Technologies Graduate Certificate, which can later be applied toward the full master’s degree.
Service Recognition
Purdue University proudly holds Indiana’s highest distinction for supporting service members — the Tier 1 Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana Award. From application to graduation, Purdue provides personalized support for veterans, service members, and military families, helping them translate their service experience into leadership success.
The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.
Program Specifics
30 credits in this degree program, including 18 credits of required core courses and an additional 6 credits of selective required core courses.
Admissions decisions are based on individual experience and overall fit with the program. Your application must be fully submitted with all materials in order to be reviewed and considered for admission.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- 2+ years of professional experience (preferred, not required)
- No GRE or GMAT required
Full course descriptions will be available soon.
Train to lead through strategy, national security and innovation.
This master’s degree program is designed to serve two key goals:
- Equip the next generation of military and civilian leaders with the interdisciplinary skills needed to integrate defense technologies and policy.
- Provide affordable, high-quality graduate education for veterans, service members and government professionals seeking career advancement.
- Graduates will be prepared to lead strategic initiatives across defense organizations, government agencies and private-sector industries focused on national and international security. here are 30 credits in this degree program, including 18 credits of required core courses and an additional 6 credits of selective required core courses.
There are 30 credits in this degree program, including 18 credits of required core courses and an additional 6 credits of selective required core courses.
- Technology, War and Strategy
- Grand Challenges in Defense Engineering
- Ethical Reasoning in Technology
- Legislative Policy and Defense Technologies
- Strategic Foresight and Leadership
- Strategy for Security and Defense Technologies Capstone
- Space Strategy
- Cyber Strategy
- Strategic Intelligence
- Artificial Intelligence Organizational Transformation in Security and Defense
- Data and AI Storytelling
- Game Theory Strategy and Defense
Experience the Purdue Difference in Strategy, Security, and Defense Technology:
- Strategic Leadership Training: Gain interdisciplinary skills that merge policy, strategy, and defense technology to address real-world national security challenges.
- Defense-Focused Curriculum: Build expertise across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains — integrating social science, engineering, and strategic analysis.
- Designed for Defense Professionals: Ideal for active-duty military, veterans, DoD civilians, and defense contractors seeking promotion or career advancement.
- Technology Meets Strategy: Learn to evaluate emerging technologies and their strategic applications for U.S. and allied defense missions.
- Ethical and Global Perspective: Strengthen decision-making through a systems-thinking approach rooted in ethics, diplomacy, and international security policy.
- Flexible Online Learning: 100% online, built for working professionals balancing military or government service commitments.
- Faculty Expertise: Learn from Purdue’s nationally recognized defense researchers, strategists, and policy experts.
- Stackable Graduate Certificates: Begin with Purdue’s Graduate Certificate in Strategic Defense Technologies and seamlessly stack credits toward the master’s degree.
- Career-Ready Outcomes: Prepare for leadership roles in national defense, homeland security, intelligence analysis, and strategic technology planning.
For many professionals, earning a master’s degree can provide a big return-on-investment. In addition to financial benefits like salary increases and promotions, master’s degrees also help professionals learn in-demand skills, which can improve their job prospects, help them pivot to a new industry, or help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Many employers value the advanced skills that master’s programs teach, and research shows that job candidates with master’s degrees have average salary increases from 25% to more than 75% in select fields. Ask your enrollment counselor for details on Purdue’s online master’s programs or learn more about the benefits of earning a master’s here.
Career Outcomes
Top Job Titles
- National Security and Defense program project manager
- Homeland security analyst
- Policy or legislative analyst
- Federal law enforcement officer
- Cyber strategy specialist
Top Industries
- U.S. Military Branches
- Federal and state security agencies
- Defense and aerospace industries
- Homeland security and emergency management
- Intelligence and policy analysis
Source: LightcastTM (2023). Unique job postings for January 2024 – October 2025. Projected growth for years 2023-2033.
Contact Us
You are not alone in taking your next giant leap.
Get your questions answered, receive application help, or plan your degree journey by speaking with an enrollment counselor. Request more information today by filling out this form to connect with a Purdue University enrollment counselor and receive additional program materials.
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