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Program Curriculum and Major Requirements

Program Description

The master of arts (MA) in international relations enables students to analyze the complexities and processes involved in world politics and international affairs. Coursework provides 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 with a governmental agency, an intergovernmental organization, a nongovernmental organization, or a multinational corporation. This program is also recommended to students planning to pursue a PhD, or an academic career at another institution.

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.

    Program Curriculum
  • The 36 credit hours required for the master of arts (MA) 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 International Relations: Theory and Practice (3 hours)
    or INTL 6250 Thesis

    Two courses from the Comparative Politics Cluster (6 credit hours)

    Four courses from the International Politics Cluster (12 credit hours)

    Three elective courses (9 credit hours)

    Comparative Politics Cluster  (2 courses)
    INTL 5050  Comparative Politics (3 hours)
    INTL 5570  Comparative Foreign Policy (3 hours)
    INTL 5580  Politics of Development (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)
      

    International Politics Cluster  (4 courses)
    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 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)  
     

    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)

    *Advanced Research Methods may be substituted for a course in the Comparative cluster or in the International cluster.

    Pre-approved elective courses (non-INTL) related to International Relations:
    MRKT 5000  Marketing OR MRKT 5010 Marketing for Nonprofits (3 hours)
    MNGT 5590  Organizational Behavior (3 hours)
    BUSN 5200  Basic Finance for Managers
    OR BUSN 5210 Financial Management for Nonprofits (3 hours)
    MNGT 5210  Nonprofit Revenue Development (3 hours)
    INGO 5000  Non-governmental Organizations (3 hours)
    INGO 5100  Finance, Budgeting and Accounting for International Nongovernmental
    Organizations (3 hours)
    INGO 5300  Human Resources and Staffing for International Nongovernmental
    Organizations (3 hours)
    HRMG 5000 Managing Human Resources or HRMG 5010 Staffing,Volunteers,and Boards in Nonprofits (3 hours)
    INTB 5000  International Business (3 hours)
    INTB 5710  Cross Cultural Management (3 hours)
    INGO 5600  Principles of Negotiation (3 hours)
    INGO 5700 Grant Writing, Fundraising and Development for International Nongovernmental Organizations (3 hours)
    INGO 5900 Project Management for International Nongovernmental Organizations (3 hours)

    If the requisite course is waived, the student must choose an elective course from this major.

    The required courses and electives listed in this core may be taken as directed studies, subject to the conditions stated in the Directed Studies section under Academic Policies and Procedures.

    Not all of the courses listed above will be available to students at all locations.

    Admission

    Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should see the Admission Section found in the front of this catalog for general requirements.

    MBA with an Emphasis in International Relations-see Master of Business Administration (MBA) section for details.



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    Current Courses

    Comprehensive Course Schedule: Summer 2012--Summer 2014

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    HPIR Thesis Guidelines

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    Field Study/Internship Program

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    Graduate Faculty

    Careers in International Relations


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