A graduate degree in international relations can lead to many different career opportunities.
Students interested in graduate study in international relations and global affairs have more program options today than ever before. An increasing number of colleges and universities offer degree and certificate programs and concentrations in international and area studies. As you can see from the table below (which lists only some, highly-regarded programs), there is a variety of international relations schools and degree programs to choose from.
Click on the links above to go to the web page with more information about specific programs.
Master of Int’l Affairs (MIA) (2 yr FT)
App. deadlines: Early Action: Nov. 1, Final: Feb. 5
Competitive applicants should have at least 2 years of work experience and some coursework in economics, statistics and mathematics and have studied at least one foreign language.
Est. GRE:
Quant 163
Verbal 161
Writing 5.0
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Int’l Development (1 yr FT)
App. deadline: Mar. 15 This program is geared toward development professionals working in the field. Competitive applicants usually have at least 2 years development experience.
Prerequisites: Two semesters of calculus, one elementary non-calculus based statistics and one course in matrix algebra.
Est. GRE:
Quant 164
Verbal 160
Writing 4.5
MS in Foreign Service (2 yr FT)
App. deadline: Jan. 15
Prerequisites: Semester of microeconomics, semester of macroeconomics and proficiency in at least 2 languages. Experience abroad encouraged.
Est. GRE:
Quant 163
Verbal 159
Writing 4.7
MPA/ID (Int’l Development) 2 yr FT
App. deadline: Dec. 3 Program stresses economics and quantitative analysis. 2 or more years work experience preferred. Prerequisites: Microeconomics, macroeconomics and three university-level courses in calculus, which must include multivariable calculus. Statistics and linear algebra are preferred.
Est. GRE:
Quant 166
Verbal 164
Writing 4.8
Master of Arts (2 yrs FT)
App. deadline: Early: Nov. 1, Final: Jan. 7 ” international economics, policy and regional studies, international relations, and languages” One of the two years can be spent studying abroad
Est. GRE:
Quant 161
Verbal 161
Writing 4.5
SM in Political Science (1 yr FT including summer)
App. deadline: Dec 15 Master’s thesis is required. 3.5 GPA must be maintained
Est. GRE:
Quant 166
Verbal 162
Writing 4.8
Master of Public Administration (MPA) (2 yr FT)
Master of Public Policy (MPP – midcareer) (1 yr FT)
App. deadline: Dec 1 Competitive applicants will have a solid grounding in mathematics or economics as well as several years of work experience.
Free tuition and health insurance is provided to MPA and MPP mid career students.
Est. GRE:
Quant 163
Verbal 162
Writing 5.2
Master’s in Int’l Policy Studies
(2 yr FT)
App. deadline: Jan. 8 Prerequisites: Microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics strongly preferred
Est. GRE:
Quant 166
Verbal 162
Writing 4.9
MA in Law & Diplomacy (2 yr FT)
MA – midcareer (1 yr FT) GMAP
App. deadlines: Nov. 15 (early) Mar.1 (final deadline)
Prerequisites: Full time work experience and microeconomics and macroeconomics encouraged for MALD, 8 yrs work experience required for GMAP. Familiarity with second language and international experience encouraged.
Est. GRE:
Quant 161
Verbal 160
Writing 4.5
Master of Int’l Affairs (2 yr FT)
App. deadline: December 4 (early deadline), Jan. 15 (regular deadline) Prerequisites: Language proficiency matches country or regional specialization
Est. GRE:
Quant 159
Verbal 155
Writing 4.5
MA (2 yr FT)
Master of Int’l Policy & Practice (MIPP – mid-career) (1 yr FT, up to 3 yr PT)
App. deadline: Feb. 1 for fall October 1 for spring Prerequisites: Minimum 8 years of work experience and economics coursework.
Avg. GRE:
Quant 151
Verbal 156
Writing 4.5
MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (2 yr FT)
App. deadlines: Dec. 1 for spring, June 1 for fall. Largest conflict resolution program in the world.
Thesis required.
Avg. GRE:
Quant 152
Verbal 155
Writing 4.0