Master of Counter Terrorism

On successful completion you will be able to

1. Critically analyse and explain real world counter terrorism issues through application of advanced and specialised disciplinary knowledge.
2. Transfer, integrate and use advanced disciplinary techniques and methods to develop solutions to real world counter terrorism issues.
3. Apply disciplinary knowledge to develop, analyze, and evaluate intelligence-related policies.
4. Create counter terrorism-related research and implementable policies.
5. Make ethical and socially informed judgments in Counter Terrorism.
6. Communicate with specialist and non-specialist audiences in written and oral forms in the field of Counter Terrorism.

Graduates will be equipped to work in a range of government, non-government and private employment, including:

• Department of Defence
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Law Enforcement and Police
• Australian Border Force
• International/Regional organizations
• Think tanks and policy advising.
• Media
• Defence and security related business and industry
• International Non-Government Organisations

Higher education

Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience, or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to the course at one of the admission points below. 

Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the course's zones  (see Course Structure) which will affect the overall duration of the course.

Core and Flexible Zones

• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent, and approved work experience, professional certification or other recognised prior learning, or
• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65

Core Zone

• AQF level 8 bachelor honours or graduate diploma qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
• Meet two of the following three criteria:
  • AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent
  • Minimum two years relevant approved work experience at senior management level, professional certification or other recognised prior learning
  • AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65

Related Disciplines For Prior Qualifications

Social Sciences, Humanities

Work and Life

Relevant Prior Work Experience, Professional Certification, Or Other Recognised Learning

Police Force, Defence Force, Public Service, Law, Policy advising, defence and security related industry and business, media, international policy think tanks.

English Proficiency Requirements

The required standard of English for this program is:

Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.

All applicants to coursework programs at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. 

For more information on accepted equivalents, please see English Language Requirements.

You may be eligible for credit against individual units in your course at Macquarie if you have additional postgraduate-level study or qualifications beyond those required for admission.

For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.

In studying this course you will develop an in-depth knowledge about the theory and practice of counter terrorism studies; the emerging domestic, regional and international challenges related to terrorism and its implications for counter terrorism approaches and policies; and the evolution of Australia’s counter terrorism strategies and policies. It will also equip you with a practical skill set to analyse counter terrorism challenges, based on real world examples. The core units, provided through the Department of Security Studies and Criminology, focus on synthesising the latest developments in counter terrorism theory and practices. The elective units allow you to focus on other aspects of security, including intelligence, security and strategic studies, cyber security and criminology.

Recommended Study Pattern

Master of Counter Terrorism students must complete 8 or 12 subjects as required.

Please note: It is not recommended to enrol in more than 2 subjects per Session

Core Zone

Essential Subjects 50 credit points

• PICX8012 Critical Thought & Research Design
• PICX8018 Counter Terrorism in the Global and Australian Contexts
• PICX8020 Advanced Terrorism Studies
• PICX8037 Choosing Terror: Pathways into Terrorism
• PICX8043 International Terrorism

Core Zone

Elective Subjects

Option set 1: 10 credit points from:

• PICX8955 Simulation in Counter Terrorism
• PICX8965 Decision Making, Scenario Planning and Simulation in counter terrorism

Option set 2: 20 credit points from:

• PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
• PICX8060 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
• PICX8080 Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Information Warfare
• PICX8088 Advanced Criminology Theory

Flexible Zone

Option set 1: 40 credit points from:

• PICX8013 History of Intelligence
• PICX8040 Cyber Crime and Cyber Policing
• PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
• PICX8060 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
• PICX8061 Transnational Security
• PICX8062 The Crimes of the Powerful
• PICX8080 Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Information Warfare
• PICX8088 Advanced Criminology Theory
• SOCX8015 Doing Social Survey Research
• SOCX8020 Evaluating Social Policy
• SOCX8035 Qualitative Methods for Policy 
• SOCX8080 Making Public Policy in a Globalised World

Credit point tally  120

Award Requirements

Students will qualify for the Master of Counter Terrorism by completing the subjects listed in the degree structure.

Students admitted to the Core and Flexible Zones must complete 12 subjects including:

• 5 subjects from the Core Essential list
• 3 subjects from the Core Elective lists
• 4 subjects from the Flexible Zone

Students admitted to the Core Zone must only complete 8 subjects including:

• 5 subjects from the Core Essential list
• 3 subjects from the Core Elective lists

On completion of admission you are bound by the University Terms and Conditions and must comply with present and future By-laws, Rules, Codes, and Policies, Procedures and Schedules of Macquarie University

Students who did not commence their program in the current year are required to follow the program structure provided to them at the time of admission.

Applications are due the Friday two weeks prior to the close of enrolment date for the study session you are applying for.

Please note:

Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.

 https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia/degree-information.

Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

In 2020 the Macquarie subject codes have changed. All subjects previously studied under the old subject code will be recognised as equivalent.