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Sep 01, 2025
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2015-2016 Graduate Studies Bulletin [Archived Catalog]
International Studies, M.A.
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The Master of Arts degree with a major in international studies provides students with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of international studies.
The admission deadlines for international studies are:
- November 1: spring admission;
- June 1: fall admission.
Degree Requirements (30 Hours)
The Master of Arts in International Studies provides students with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of international studies. The Department offers courses covering a wide array of topical areas such as international relations theory and practice, comparative politics, and foreign policy analysis. The curriculum is designed to be responsive to the more professionally oriented student rather than the student seeking an academic career. Normally, the master’s candidate will complete 24 hours of substantive course work plus 6 hours either of thesis credit or additional elective courses or internship credit for a total of 30 hours. Students may count credit hours from outside the Department towards the degree reflecting the value of interdisciplinary training for this degree. Students who select the Non-Thesis Option may count a maximum of 12 hours from outside the Department towards the degree, with no more than 9 of those credit hours within the fields. The program may require more hours in the event of deficiencies. Each student will select two of three fields and take in each field a minimum of 9 hours. The three fields available are: international relations theory and practice, foreign policy analysis, and comparative politics/area studies. An oral exam focused on the thesis, or on coursework, or on coursework and internship experience, is required.
Master’s candidates must successfully complete a professional development series. The professional development series provides fundamental professional skills, reflecting the program’s committment to professionally oriented students.
Competency in one foreign language or in the use of quantitative methodologies is also required. The program is designed to be completed in three semesters or less.
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Degree Requirements (30 Hours)
Fields (18 hours in two of the three fields)
Field 1: International Relations Theory and Practice
Required: Gateway Seminar POLI 710 and two (2) additional courses as approved with advisement.
Field 2: Foreign Policy Analysis
Required: Gateway Seminar POLI 740 or POLI 741 and two (2) additional courses as approved with advisement.
Field 3: Comparative Politics
Required: Gateway Seminar POLI 719 or POLI 780 and two (2) additional courses as approved with advisement.
Electives (3 Hours)
Students take 3 credit hours of elective courses, inside or outside the Department as approved with advisement. Students who take POLI 706 and earn a grade of “B” or better in it may count the course towards this requirement.
Thesis Option / Non-Thesis Options (6 Hours)
Thesis Option: Students complete 6 hours of POLI 799B and successfully complete in MA thesis.
Non-Thesis Option: Students who opt not to write a thesis must take 6 credit hours of additional electives, 6 credit hours of POLI 789, OR 3 credit hours of additional electives and 3 credit hours of POLI 789, as approved with advisement.
Language or Quantitative Skills
Students are required to develop their quantitative skills by taking POLI 706 (and earning a grade of “B” or better in it) OR develop their language skills by passing the graduate reading exam or advisor-approved equivalent in a given foreign language.
Credit hours for language courses cannot be counted towards the required 30 credits for the degree, credit hours for POLI 706 can be counted towards the required 30 credits for the degree but cannot be counted towards the fields or the Non-Thesis Option.
Oral Exam
Students take a comprehensive oral exam focused on their Thesis, or on their coursework, or on their coursework and internship experience. Professional Development Series
Students complete a professional development series. The professional development series provides fundamental professional skills, reflecting the program’s commitment to professionally oriented students. The professional development series is non-credit bearing.
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