Military Leadership and Security

General conditions: Officers from the Republic of Latvia Armed Forces, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union, and Partnership for Peace countries who are BALTDEFCOL (Baltic Defence College) JCGSC (Joint Command and General Staff Course) students and have graduated from BALTDEFCOL JCGSC or have equivalent senior officer military education obtained abroad.

Previous education:

1. Bachelor’s degree that may be equaled to the Latvian higher education, which corresponds to 157 ECTS.
    
2. The candidate is presently enrolled in the BALDEFCOL JCGSC or has graduated from it, or has been assigned by a Commander’s order to study at the National Defence Academy of Latvia (NDAL) Master’s study programme.
    
3. The theme of the Master’s Thesis corresponds to the goals of the corresponding National Armed Forces unit and one’s future career plans. The career and previous work experience meets the admission requirements of the programme (this is assessed by the Admission Committee). 

• Application Form (the application form issued by the NDAL in Latvian or English).
   
• Documents proving the acquired second or higher level education – a copy of the diploma and its annex, while presenting the originals. If the applicant has graduated from a foreign educational institution and the educational document has been issued in English or another foreign language, the applicant must receive a formal acknowledgement of the adequacy of the foreign higher educational documents from the Latvian Academic Information Center.
   
• Copy of the Passport (the page with the person's photo), while presenting the original.
   
• Curriculum Vitae.
   
• The students currently enrolled in the BALTDEFCOL JCGSC submit their BA diploma and its annexes, while presenting the original.
   
• Master's Thesis research application form in Latvian or English.

• Those NAF officers who are not JCGSC students may be admitted to the professional graduate study programme only after their candidacies have been approved by the NAF Commander’s order.
   
• The applicants are admitted to the programme after evaluating the necessary documentation, the Master's Thesis research application and compliance with the English language requirements. If necessary, interviews are held with the applicants.
   
• Admission rules for the study year 2025/2026.  

Year One

The first and the second semesters are held at the BALTDEFCOL, where the combined command and senior staff officer course – BALTDEFCOL JCGSC – is acquired.

During the second semester, students must participate in two additional courses and pass their tests: "Theory and Practice of Scientific Research" and "Civil Defense Course".

Year Two

During the third semester, students must carry out their individual research, preparing their Master's Thesis for submission for pre-defence at the end of the semester (usually on December 1 of the calendar year) and for the defence of the completed thesis (in January). Each student is assigned a Master's Thesis supervisor from the academic staff of the NDAL and BALTDEFCOL. The students are invited to familiarize themselves with the methodological instructions for the Master's Thesis both in Latvian or in English.

The content of the study programme may be updated and altered during the study process.

Schedule for Study Year

The following study courses will be acquired:

• Security and Strategy
• Operational Law
• Project Management
• Defense Planning and Management
• Innovations and Military Technology
• Crisis Management
• Leadership and Command
• Media and Communication
• Civil Protection
• Research Project
• Academic Research
• NATO Operational Level Planning
• Combined Joint Staff Exercise
• Allied Joint Operations
• International Study Trip
• Electives in two courses

1. To provide students with knowledge that meets modern-day requirements and develop their skills in the field of defence and security, which includes development of strategic thinking in the process of planning and implementing military operations.
    
2. Promote the personal development and professional growth of senior officers in the field of military management and security issues.
    
3. To teach the methodology of scientific research for the senior officers to be able to analyze problems at a strategic level and present their analysis in the form of a scientific article.
    
4. To improve knowledge of the English language in order to be able to work adequately in the international military environment.

The Professional Master's degree entitles you to continue your education in various doctoral study programmes if the admission requirements of the relevant doctoral study programme are met.

Study Programme Director

Dr. Sandis Šrāders   e-mail:  sandis.sraders@mil.lv

Academic Support Advisor

Viktorija Suhačova e-mail: viktorija.suhacova@mil.lv

Faculty (supervisors of Master's Theses)

Dr. sc. pol. Ieva Bērziņa  e-mail:  ieva.berzina@mil.lv  mob.t. 29277566

Dr. oec. Jānis Bērziņš  e-mail:  janis.berzins01@mil.lv

Dr. sc. pol. Toms Rostoks e-mail:   toms.rostoks@mil.lv

Amb. Shota Gvineria

Dr. Asta Maskaliūnaitė

Col (ret) Dr. Zdzislaw Śliwa

George Spencer Terry

Study location: National Defence Academy of Latvia and BALTDEFCOL

• Application form in Latvian or English
   
• Master's Thesis research application form in Latvian or English
   
• Methodological guidelines in Latvian or English for writing Master’s Thesis.
   
• Admission Requirements

Lieutenant Colonel Sébastien Bouchard

Completing the “Military Leadership and Security” MA program was nothing short of a privilege. With students stemming from 14 different countries, the opportunity to share and debate various perspectives on significant and timely security issues was both unique and highly rewarding. Moreover, with almost as many countries represented within its scholars, the faculty provided a bespoke, diverse, and dynamic learning environment favoring respectful debates and constructive academic learning. I deeply felt the importance and the high relevance of what I was being taught – the Baltic understanding of the cost and the paramount importance of their freedom. Something that we, the North Americans, often take for granted.

Lieutenant Colonel Evija Sīpola

The Professional Master's study programme is extremely versatile and covers a wide range of topics for an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of international politics and military security. The programme is exceptionally suitable for acquiring knowledge and understanding of the developments and processes of international security policy and geopolitical situation, current events and their impact in the wider security context. The international environment, exchange of knowledge and experience between political and military experts, simulation of complex scenarios and situations contribute to the development of analytical skills and critical thinking, which is an essential contribution to the students’ further professional development. The teaching staff of the programme are highly qualified and experienced professionals who ensure particularly effective implementation of this programme.

Lieutenant Colonel Denys Yurchenko

I value highly the MA program “Military Leadership and Security” at the National Defence Academy of Latvia. It provides officers from different countries with invaluable knowledge and research capabilities. When the opportunity came, I enrolled into the program without any doubt and was happy to see it delivers what it promises. During my academic journey, I had to write and research a lot which is the salient difference from my daily professional work. If the participants of the MA program overcome all these challenges and fulfill all the requirements by earning the MA degree in military leadership and security, then those graduates are ready for higher ranks in their militaries!