Major Requirements

The Executive Master of International Relations (EMIR) is open to individuals with substantial experience and managerial responsibility in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors (including NGOs). The typical candidate has seven or more years of management experience and holds a position beyond that of basic supervisor. The program is designed for mid-career managers who require updated information and skills in the field of international relations, and who anticipate promotion to a leadership position, or who plan to transition to the public or nonprofit sectors. Current students are drawn from international government ministries and NGOs; federal, regional, state, and local domestic agencies; and a variety of nonprofit and private organizations. The 30-credit program may be completed in one calendar year of full-time study or in a variety of part-time formats.

The program requires students to form a concentration in topical and regional subfield of international affairs tailored to their professional needs. The degree consists of 10 courses, including three required courses: PAI 895 - Mid-career Training Group  Executive Education Seminar, PAI 996 - Master’s Project Paper , and the choice either PSC 783 - Comparative Foreign Policy  or PAI 713 - Governance and Global Civil Society , depending on whether the student’s study interest focuses on foreign policy analysis or questions around the role that transnational actors play in international relations. The other 21 credits will be divided into three categories: 1) those that constitute a specific career track for the student (9 credits), 2) those that are focused on a particular region of the world (3 credits), and 3) electives from the range of relevant courses offered across the Maxwell School departments (9 credits). Some of these elective courses may be selected, with permission, from another college or school of the University.

The Executive Education Program also administers several certificate programs, which can be pursued concurrently with the EMIR, as well as the option to complete a 51-credit dual EMIR/EMPA program.