M.A. in International Relations

Overview

The M.A. in International Relations program is designed for students who are working or intend to work in the area of international relations, diplomacy, international development, and global peace studies. The program prepares you to apply theories and practices to real-world global problems by offering specialized training and experiential learning in International Relations.

Offering late afternoon and evening classes, the program is designed to accommodate part-time and full-time students. You can specialize your degree by selecting one of our three concentrations:

  • Diplomacy,
  • International Development, or
  • Global Peace Studies.

The program offers an interdisciplinary approach, with required and elective courses taught by faculty from Psychology, Economics, and Marine Affairs. While you may choose from concentrations in Diplomacy, International Development, or Global Peace Studies, you will retain enough flexibility to also pursue a graduate certificate in a related field, such as Cybersecurity or Gender and Women’s Studies.

About a third of our M.A. students aim for fully-funded stipend and scholarship offers at leading Ph.D. programs. Graduates of the program have also found success working in both the private and public sector, such as at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in Washington, D.C. and the United Nations.

Our program is affiliated with URI’s Center of Nonviolence and Peace Studies, and we also offer an internship program with the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

Assistantships

We have a handful of teaching assistantships that come with full or half tuition and a small living stipend. These are highly competitive and open to new applicants as well as students currently in the M.A. program. You are automatically eligible for consideration by applying to the program by March 31st, but we recommend that you state your interest in one of these positions in your cover letter.

Download a Program Information Sheet (PDF)

Accelerated B.A. to M.A. (ABM) Option

Graduate degrees are often required for many jobs. PSC and ISD students may apply for the Accelerated B.A. to M.A. (ABM) Program in their junior year.  Political Science students in this ABM Program will receive the B.A. in Political Science as well as an M.A. in International Relations. International Studies & Diplomacy students in this ABM Program will receive the B.A. in their language and International Studies as well as an M.A. in International Relations. M.A. concentrations include: Diplomacy, International Development, and Global Peace Studies.  Please contact the Department Chair, Professor Marc Hutchison, for more information.