International Studies, M.A.

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Program Description

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in International Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide a broad and solid foundation for analytical thinking and problem solving skills regarding international issues, cultural and policy analysis, and global governance. This interdisciplinary program prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of a global world by providing them with the appropriate knowledge, tools, and skills to understand, function, and work effectively and collaboratively in an increasingly interdependent and multinational world. The M.A. in International Studies is recognized both within and outside of the academy as an appropriate advanced degree for those pursuing further academic study or planning careers in many of the international aspects of contemporary society including culture analysis, politics, health and nutrition, business, art, architecture, engineering, communications, and environmental studies.

Admission

In addition to meeting the criteria for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, for unconditional admission, applicants must present evidence of (1) obtaining a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours of course work with an international content, and (2) having earned an undergraduate academic average of 3.0 in the major area of study. Applicants who possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 to 2.99 may be considered for conditional admission. All students applying for admission must provide test scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Test scores may not be more than 5 years old prior to the date of application.

Foreign Language Requirement

The student must demonstrate a working knowledge of a foreign language that is not his or her native language. The foreign languages may include Arabic, French, German, , or Spanish. Upon written approval by the Department, students may substitute for any of the above languages one deemed essential to their research or field of major concentration, as long as it is not their native or inherited language. Students who do not successfully pass the foreign language examination may be allowed to retake the exam when scheduled by the Department of World Languages.

The student may also satisfy the foreign language requirement in the following manner:

Option I: Passing a departmental foreign language examination.

Option II: Enrolling in and earning a grade of “C” or higher in two intermediate foreign language courses (203-204, or higher) in the same language at the undergraduate level. Courses taken prior to acceptance and matriculation in the graduate program may not satisfy this requirement. Courses taken at community colleges cannot be used to satisfy this requirement (Graduate financial aid may not be applied toward these courses.)

Option III: Completing an approved study abroad program (minimum of six weeks), which includes formal enrollment in the study of a foreign language with evaluation of performance by authorized faculty of an accredited institution.

General Requirements

Students are required to complete thirty-three (33) credit hours of course work, successfully pass a comprehensive examination, and fulfill one of the exit options listed below. All exit options include a substantial writing project. Thesis guidance credits (i.e., INST 797 ) shall not be included as part of the 33 credits needed to satisfy degree requirements. The distribution of the 33 credits is listed below:

Core Courses: 15 credits
Program Concentration: 12 credits
Electives: 6 credits
Total Requirements: 33 Credits

Procedures:

Students are required to complete degree requirements successfully according to the following procedures:

Level One:

Successful completion of graduate course work.

Level Two:

Successful completion of the Department Graduate Comprehensive Examination.
The comprehensive examinations are intended to test students’ familiarity with, and critical understanding of, the broad range of ideas and literature that the disciplinary fields comprise. Students prepare for examinations by taking different combinations of courses according to the specific field guidelines presented below and in consultation with faculty advisors. Graduate students, who do not successfully pass all areas of the graduate comprehensive examination, are required to retake, by the following semester, only those areas failed. Students who do not retake the exam the following semester are subject to taking the entire examination. The comprehensive examination includes all core courses, exclusive of ENGL 581 , one regional course, and one course in the student’s area of concentration.

Students are required to select a thesis committee consisting of the director and two readers. However, one reader can be an external committee member from another department. All committee members must be full-time faculty.

Level Three – Exit Options

International Studies Masters students must declare, in writing, to both the Chair and Graduate Coordinator which exit option they choose prior to the end of their fourth semester of coursework. An Exit Option Declaration form is available in the Department of International Studies office.

Options include the following:

Thesis

Student must have finished all course work before beginning the thesis. In most cases, student will be expected to have taken his or her comprehensive exams prior to beginning the thesis.
Student must work with the Department Chair and the Graduate Coordinator to identify an Advisor (from the Department of International Studies, or in area of concentration, with the approval of the Chair for the latter).
Student must identify two or three additional readers for the thesis. Readers should have some expertise in either the field of study or concentration. Readers are subject to approval by the Chair or Graduate Coordinator.
Student must submit a Thesis Proposal for approval by the Advisor, Chair, and Graduate Coordinator.
Student will meet with the Advisor at intervals agreed upon with the Advisor. Advisor will supervise student’s progress towards completion of the thesis.
Student will defend her or his thesis in front of the entire committee, composed of Advisor and Readers. The Chair and Graduate Coordinator, if not on the committee, may also be present.

Internship and a Public Policy Research Paper

Student must have finished all course work before beginning internship.
Internship agency/site must be relevant to the field of study and concentration and will require approval by the department (Chair and Graduate Coordinator). Student will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week over 15 weeks.
Student duties and responsibilities:
- Enrolling in INST 780, Advanced Internship.
- Work with the Department Chair or Graduate Coordinator to identify an Adviser (from the Department of International Studies, or in area of concentration, with the approval of the Chair). The adviser must sign the Exit Option Declaration form, available in the INST office.
- Submitting bi-weekly reports to adviser during the internship period. Student will meet with adviser to evaluate reports at intervals agreed upon with the Advisor.
- Submitting a paper proposal, including selected bibliographical entries, to Adviser, Chair, and Graduate Coordinator for approval before beginning work on the public policy research paper.
- Writing a public policy paper of at least 50 pages in length, exclusive of bibliography.
- Receiving a grade of B or better from advisor for the public policy paper. In the case of a dispute, the paper will be reviewed by the Graduate Coordinator and, as necessary, the Chair.

Six Additional Credits and Research Paper

One three credit course in INST, not being used to satisfy any other requirement.
One three credit course in area of concentration or field of study, not being used to satisfy any other requirement.
Substitutions for the above two courses are possible with the approval of the Chair and Graduate Coordinator.
Student duties and responsibilities:
- Work with the Department Chair or Graduate Coordinator to identify an Adviser (from the Department of International Studies, or in area of concentration, with the approval of the Chair for the latter). The adviser must sign the Exit Option Declaration form, available in the INST office.
- Submitting a paper proposal, including selected bibliographical entries, for approval to Adviser, Chair, and Graduate Coordinator before beginning work on the research paper.
- Writing a research paper of at least 50 pages in length, exclusive of bibliography.
- Receiving a grade of B or better from advisor for the research paper. In the case of a dispute, the paper will be reviewed by the Graduate Coordinator and, as necessary, by the Chair.

Study/Research Abroad and Research Paper

Student must spend at least one semester abroad participating in an accredited program approved by the Chair and Graduate Coordinator.
Student should choose an area where he or she speaks the language, or explain in writing how not knowing the language will not impair ability to study or conduct research in the chosen country. Student must gain approval from the Chair and Graduate Coordinator.
Student duties and responsibilities:
- Work with the Department Chair or Graduate Coordinator to identify an Adviser (from the Department of International Studies, or in area of concentration, with the approval of the Chair for the latter). The adviser must sign the Exit Option Declaration form, available in the INST office.
- Submitting regular reports during the period abroad to Graduate Coordinator and Advisor by email or alternative method, identified as necessary.
- Submitting a paper proposal, including selected bibliographical entries, to Adviser, Chair, and Graduate Coordinator for approval before beginning work on the research paper.
- Writing a research paper of at least 50 pages in length, exclusive of bibliography.
- Receiving a grade of B or better from advisor for the research paper. In the case of a dispute, the paper will be reviewed by the Graduate Coordinator and, as needed, by the Chair.

Program of Study

Because of the interdisciplinary focus of the International Studies programs, many of the courses in which students enroll, particularly in their area(s) of concentration, will depend on the students’ areas of interest and the schedule of courses in the department or school offering the courses. In general students admitted to the International Studies program can expect to enroll in the following:

Core Requirements: 15 Credits

POSC 501 - Theories of International Relations 3 Credits
ENGL 581 - Advanced Expository Writing 3 Credits
INST 603 - Seminar in Research Design and Methodology 3 Credits
SOCI 531 - Sociology of Oppression 3 Credits
HIST 580 - Historical Origins of Contemporary Problems

Concentrations: 12 Credits

Depending on their areas of interest and the schedule of courses, students may elect to concentrate on topics in:

International Public Health and the Environment
International Business and Economics
International Social and Historical Thought
International Language and Culture
International Politics and Foreign Policy
International Engineering and Technology

Depending on their areas of interest and the schedule of courses, students may elect to focus on global or regional geographic areas in:

Africa
Asia
Europe
Latin America
The Middle East
The Caribbean
North America

Students are required to select at least one course from two of the above areas of concentration. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor in the International Studies program to discuss the selection of courses in their area of Concentration.

Electives: 6 Credits

Consistent with the interdisciplinary focus of the International Studies program, students are encouraged to select courses from across the curricula of graduate programs in order to enhance their breadth and depth of understanding of issues in their concentration and in international studies. For example, students may elect to satisfy their six credits of electives in a Fulbright or other study abroad program.