MA in International Relations

The Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations enables students to analyze the complexities and processes involved in world politics and international affairs.

The degree coursework provides a thorough exposure to the key subfields of the discipline and relevant issues such as globalization, human rights, humanitarian action, and economic development. The program can help prepare students to compete for work in governmental agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, or multinational corporations. This program is also recommended to students planning to pursue a Ph.D. or an academic career at another institution.

Program Curriculum

The 36 credit hours (12 courses) required for the MA in International Relations degree must include the following courses for a major in international relations:

• INTL 5000 Introduction to International Relations (3 hours)
• INTL 5100 Research Methods and Perspectives (3 hours)
• INTL 6000 Capstone in International Relations (3 hours)

or INTL 6250 Thesis* (6 hours) and INTL 6900 University Thesis Requirement (0 hours)

Two courses from the Comparative Politics Cluster (6 hours)

• INTL 5050 Comparative Politics (3 hours)
• INTL 5580 Politics of Development (3 hours)
• INTL 5570 Comparative Foreign Policy (3 hours)
• INTL 5600 Area Studies (3 hours)
• INTL 5605 Topics in Comparative Politics (3 hours)
• INTL 5625 Middle East Area Studies (3 hours)
• INTL 5635 Western European Area Studies (3 hours)
• INTL 5645 Asian Area Studies (3 hours)
• INTL 5655 African Area Studies (3 hours)
• INTL 5665 South and Central Asian Area Studies (3 hours)
• INTL 5675 Central and Eastern European Area Studies (3 hours)
• INTL 5685 Latin American Area Studies (3 hours)

Four courses from the International Politics Cluster (12 hours)

• INTL 5400 International Political Economy (3 hours)
• INTL 5510 Theories of International Relations (3 hours)
• INTL 5530 International Law (3 hours)
• INTL 5540 International Organizations (3 hours)
• INTL 5550 War and Diplomacy (3 hours)
• INTL 5560 U.S. Foreign Policy (3 hours)
• INTL 5590 International Security (3 hours)
• INTL 5700 Humanitarian Issues in International Politics (3 hours)
• INTL 5800 Globalization (3 hours)
• INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics (3 hours)
• INTL 5870 International Law and Politics of Outer Space (3 hours)INTL 5890 Terrorism in World Politics (3 hours)

Three International Relations Elective Courses (9 hours)

Any additional courses from the two clusters above, or any of the following:

• INTL 5300 Field Work (3-6 hours)
• INTL 5500 Professional Seminars (1-3 hours)
• INTL 5610 Non-Thesis Readings/Research (3 hours)
• INTL 5900 Advanced Research Methods* (3 hours)
• INTL 6500 Internship (3 hours)
• Any other graduate elective course (3 hours)

*Note: Not all courses from the curriculum will be available in one academic year. For more information on course planning, please contact the Graduate Adviser (department coordinator).

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of several subfields of the discipline.
• Demonstrate strong research skills.
• Critically analyze international events and issues.
• Apply theories of international relations to the practice of international affairs.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• Develop the requisite skills to seek employment relevant to the field by having the necessary education.