Curriculum

These guidelines apply to students entering the program in Fall 2007 and are subject to modification.

The multidisciplinary 40-credit M.A. program in International Affairs includes:

A required core field (9-15 credits), taken in the first year, that provides students with a fundamental understanding of key political, economic and historical issues in international affairs.

A major field (12 credits) with a global issues or regional focus. Possible major fields include:

Global Issues:

• Conflict and Conflict Resolution
• Global Health
• International Security Studies
• International Economic Affairs
• International Affairs and Development
• Technology and International Affairs
• International Law and Organizations
• U.S. Foreign Policy
  

Regional Fields:

• Asia
• Europe and Eurasia (including Russia)
• Middle East
• Latin America

Electives (9-15 credits), which may include up to 6 credits of foreign language study, a second field of expertise, or other relevant course work.

Thesis option: six credits of electives may be used to pursue a thesis. To propose a thesis, a student must have a GPA of at least a 3.5 after completing 20 credit hours in the M.A. program. The thesis subject must be approved in advance by a faculty member who has agreed to direct the thesis, a second faculty member who will serve as an additional reader, and the Dean. For more information on the thesis option, see Academic Policies & Procedures – Graduate Students, Thesis Option.

Three credits of special skills-based professional workshops designed to supplement substantive graduate course work with practical skills and knowledge that students will need to perform effectively in the workplace.

A one-credit capstone policy-related course taken at the end of the IA program that tests students' abilities to address a policy problem using the analytical, research, writing, and other professional skills they have acquired during their course of study.

A language requirement in a modern foreign language. The ability to communicate across cultures in more than one language is both a distinguishing and expected skill of the international affairs professional. Therefore, completion of the M.A. in International Affairs require a demonstrated oral and reading proficiency in a modern foreign language.

Updated: 04/20/07