Crisis and Security Management (MSc)

Career prospects

Jip Barthen

Alumnus

"An advantage of the CSM programme is that I was allowed to choose my own topics and specialisations. Therefore I was able to do research in the fields of cybersecurity and privacy. Already prior to my graduation I arranged an internship at De Nederlandsche Bank, concerning Business Continuity Management. During the internship, the position of Security Training & Awareness Coordinator became available, and I applied. Possessing cybersecurity knowledge, communication skills and my master’s degree helped me to land this new position. Working days at DNB are extremely dynamic. My work mainly consists of organizing communication campaigns in order to make people aware of cybersecurity risks, but I also work for a security program concerning the payment infrastructure. Examples of relevant topics in my work are social engineering, espionage, and hacking."

Bianca Alessandra Ruiz

Alumna (2020)

'At CSM, we learned about the global security landscape in various courses such as security & the rule of law (my favorite course!), intelligence studies, crisis management, and terrorism. Here, we assessed global security issues through the political, environmental, and social lenses. On the one hand, I enjoyed my experience as a student as we had engaging class discussions, work groups, and simulations/serious games. We also had accommodating professors and study advisors -- all of whom I'm grateful for. On the other hand, I've been enjoying my social life at university and in The Hague. I've enjoyed the FGGA and CSM borrels, the nightlife, the beach, the parks, and ultimately, the memories I've had with amazing friends. At the moment, I'm job hunting which proves to be extra difficult during the pandemic. I wish to work as an international civil servant in crisis response, a political correspondent, or an investigative journalist.'

The CSM programme aims to educate students to become academically trained, reflective security and crisis professionals in a broad sense. It aims to teach students to develop a critical attitude, adopt a perspective of scholarly independence and a high level of self-directed and autonomous learning and functioning.

The programme strives to convey both general knowledge of the core themes and approaches in crisis and security management and specialised knowledge on the governance of radicalism, extremism and terrorism, the governance of crisis, cybersecurity governance, intelligence and national security, and war and peace. Furthermore, the programme emphasises the ability to reflect on the ethical and normative dimensions of crisis and security management and their consequences for the behaviour of government officials, agencies, actors in civil society and private sector.

The graduate is thus capable of recognising and analysing a broad range of complex and wicked problems in the domain of crisis and security management, both at the local, the national and the international level. The graduate is able to undertake independent research at graduate level, applying a broad range of theoretical and analytical approaches relevant to crisis and security management.

Skills after graduation

Once you have obtained your master diploma, you will be ideally equipped to enter the labour market. Because of your specialist knowledge and skillset you will have a world of options available to you, both in the public and in the private sector. There are, for instance, many strategic and challenging opportunities working for a ministry, embassy, European institute, NGO, or local administration but also plenty of opportunities working for consultancy firms or working as a consultant for private security companies.

Positions held by our alumni

CSM graduates find employment in both the public and private sector, in a wide variety of positions. In the three months after graduation, almost 63% of graduates land their first job. After the first year, this is nearly 92%.

Example Positions

This MSc provides you with the tools to tackle emerging security and crisis issues through a governance perspective. After completing CSM, graduates work in the private or public sector, in positions in policymaking departments in all levels of government, or strategic positions in international organisations and NGOs, consultancies, or industry. Positions include:

• Consultant
• Policy officer
• Crisis response coordinator
• Network security manager
• Research assistant
• (Business) Analyst
• PhD candidate