M.A. in International Relations

General Curriculum

The M.A. in International Relations program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study (9 credits in required core courses, 9 credits in concentration courses, 12 credits in free electives) and the successful completion of either a comprehensive exam (with written and oral components) or a written thesis. Students writing a thesis must present an oral defense of their thesis. Comprehensive exams are scheduled at least once a semester and are usually taken during the final semester in the program. Over 90% of our students graduate within two years.

All M.A. candidates are required to complete (3 credits):

  • PSC 580: Seminar in International Relations 

All M.A. candidates are required to complete at least two of the core graduate seminars (6 credits):

  • PSC 585: Diplomacy and Statecraft
  • PSC 584: Seminar in Comparative International Development
  • NVP 500: Theory and Research on Nonviolence and Peace

Concentrations

Students must also complete 9 additional credits in one of three concentrations:

  • Diplomacy
  • International Development
  • Global Peace Studies

Diplomacy Concentration

Required Course

  • PSC 585 – Diplomacy and Statecraft

Elective Courses (select 3)

  • PSC 434 – American Foreign Policy
  • PSC 482 – Political Science Seminar* 
  • PSC 546 – Diplomacy in Practice
  • PSC 553 – Scope and Methods of Political Science
  • PSC/MAF 577 – International Ocean Law
  • PSC 581 – Special Topics Seminar 
  • PSC 582 – Special Topics Seminar
  • PSC 586 – Political Violence and Conflict Resolution
  • PSC 551 – Internship in International Relations
  • PSC 552 – Experiential Learning-Practicum in International Relations
  • PSC 555 – Directed Study or Research
  • PSC 556 – Directed Study or Research

*Course topic approval by the MA Graduate Director is required

International Development Concentration

Required Course

  • PSC 584 – Seminar in Comparative International Development

Elective Courses (select 3)

  • PSC 422 – International Political Economy
  • PSC 482 – Political Science Seminar* 
  • PSC/LRS 521 – Global Politics of Work and Social Welfare
  • PSC 544 – Democracy and Its Critics
  • PSC 546 – Diplomacy in Practice
  • PSC 553 – Scope and Methods of Political Science
  • PSC 581 – Special Topics Seminar 
  • PSC 582 – Special Topics Seminar
  • PSC 588 – Political Economy of International Migration
  • PSC 551 – Internship in International Relations
  • PSC 552 – Experiential Learning-Practicum in International Relations
  • PSC 555 – Directed Study or Research
  • PSC 556 – Directed Study or Research

*Course topic approval by the MA Graduate Director is required

Global Peace Studies Concentration

Required Course

  • NVP 500 – Theory and Research on Nonviolence and Peace

Elective Courses (select 3)

  • PSC 435 – Theories of International Conflict
  • PSC 482 – Political Science Seminar* 
  • PSC 546 – Diplomacy in Practice
  • PSC 581 – Special Topics Seminar 
  • PSC 582 – Special Topics Seminar 
  • PSC 586 – Political Violence and Conflict Resolution
  • PSC 588 – Political Economy of International Migration
  • PSC 551 – Internship in International Relations
  • PSC 552 – Experiential Learning-Practicum in International Relations
  • PSC 555 – Directed Study or Research
  • PSC 556 – Directed Study or Research

*Course topic approval by the MA Graduate Director is required

Other Requirements

  • Courses can be applied to only one concentration
  • Students can apply no more than two special topics seminars (PSC 581/PSC582) to fulfill their concentration requirements.
  • No more than four courses can be from outside the department (non-PSC course codes)
  • Students can count no more than three 400-level courses toward their graduate degree (other restrictions may apply, please consult with the MA Graduate Director)
  • Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all graduate classes
  • Students expecting to receive their degree must inform the Graduate Director no later than the following dates for the semester in which they intend to graduate so that they may be nominated for graduation.
    • Fall semester: September 15th
    • Spring semester: February 1st
    • Summer session: May 1st

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit can be requested for graduate work taken at another accredited institution of higher learning. Such credits may not exceed 20 percent of the total credits required for the student’s plan of study (6 total credits).

Non-Matriculated Credit

Up to six non-matriculated credits in Political Science or related field may be used to fulfill M.A. degree requirements, subject to approval by the Graduate Director.

Thesis or Non-Thesis Options

The department offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option for the M.A. in International Relations. Up to nine hours credit may be given for work on the thesis. Arrangements for the thesis include a detailed proposal approved by a supervising professor, a faculty committee, and the chair. Candidates choosing the non-thesis option must successfully complete a comprehensive exam (written and oral) in lieu of the thesis.