International Relations, MA

Chair and Associate Dean David Van Slyke, 215 Eggers Hall, 315-443-4000
Vice Chair Renée de Nevers, 215 Eggers Hall, 315-443-4000

See faculty listing under Public Administration and International Affairs

The multidisciplinary International Relations (IR) program links the Maxwell School’s long-standing interest in contemporary world problems with scholarly approaches to solving them. The M.A. program combines an academic experience with professional training aimed at preparing students for positions in the public, non-profit, and private sectors in the international arena.

M.A. Degree

The Master of Arts in International Relations, a 40-credit program, draws students from throughout the world. It combines rigorous academic experience with professional training for positions in the public, non-profit, and private sectors.

The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary curriculum and uses the resources of various Maxwell School departments and research centers, such as the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration and the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs. Core faculty members are drawn from public administration & international affairs, political science, anthropology, sociology, history, economics, and geography. Students may also take courses in other colleges at the University, particularly the College of Law, the Whitman School of Management, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and the School of Information Studies.

All students are required to complete five core courses including international relations, economics, quantitative analysis, program evaluation and management, and one of five signature courses. Students then select one career track to organize their studies. Career tracks include: international economics, finance and trade; peace, security and conflict; governance, diplomacy and international organizations; democracy, development and humanitarian assistance; and regional concentrations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Most students also take advantage of the Global Program offerings to fulfill the internship requirement. Students may complete a summer internship program in Washington, D.C. or overseas. In their second fall semester, students may participate in the Global Security and Development program in D.C. Students may also choose to study in one of several overseas centers.

The program can be completed in 16 months. Proficiency in a second language is required.

Candidates for the MAIR degree have the option to pursue joint degrees in the fields of public administration, economics, law (the College of Law requires matriculation in their JD program prior to beginning coursework at Maxwell), and public relations at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (public diplomacy dual degree program). Students may also pursue concurrent degree programs with the MAIR program and other departments and colleges of the University, such as environmental science and forestry (SUNY-ESF), geography, information studies or management, among others.