Apr 18, 2024  
2018-2020 Graduate School Catalog 
    
2018-2020 Graduate School Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

MA International Studies, Curriculum Sequence


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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.

Suggested Curriculum Sequence


Sample Plan of Study (Exit Option 1: Thesis)


The typical plan of study requires enrollment in a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per term to remain full-time.  Not every course is offered every term, and the following plan of study is an illustration. At the initial conference with an advisor, a preliminary plan of study will be established, and this will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies (using the SGS Plan of Study Form) for placement in the student’s official file.  At this time, any anticipated exceptions or anticipated transfer credits will be noted. An estimated time for completion of the exit option must be included. Changes to the plan of study will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies. The student and the advisor will sign the form submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.

Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1) : 9 Credits


Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2): 9 Credits


GRAD XXX- Regional course 3 Credits
GRAD XXX- Concentration course 3 Credits
GRAD XXX- Concentration course 3 Credits

Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2): 9 Credits


GRAD XXX: Elective                                               3

GRAD XXX: Elective                                               3

INST 797  /INST 799  : Thesis Guidance / Thesis Defense 3/9*

Note


 Upon achieving Master’s Candidacy, the student will continuously register in Fall and Spring terms for INST 797 (Thesis Guidance) until the Master’s Thesis is completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for review.  The course is used only when the curriculum is near completion, and the student is completing the research and writing of the thesis. The course registration maintains the student status as a matriculated, full-time student (student is registered for 3 credit hours and the system reports a full-time 9 credit hour load).  After the Intent to Defend the Master’s Thesis form has been accepted by the School of Graduate Studies, this course registration will be changed to INST 799 (Thesis Defense) for the given semester and count for 3 credit hours of curricular coursework (INST 799 will also count for 9 credit hours of load).  Other courses cannot be substituted for INST 797 (Thesis Guidance). The only eligible grade for INST 797 (Thesis Guidance) is the grade of “S” and the only acceptable grade for INST 799 (Thesis Defense) is “P/F” (Pass/Fail).

Total Credit Hours: 36


Sample Plan of Study (Exit Option 2: Internship + Policy Research Paper))


The typical plan of study requires enrollment in a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per term to remain full-time.  Not every course is offered every term, and the following plan of study is an illustration. At the initial conference with an advisor, a preliminary plan of study will be established, and this will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies (using the SGS Plan of Study Form) for placement in the student’s official file.  At this time, any anticipated exceptions or anticipated transfer credits will be noted. An estimated time for completion of the exit option must be included. Changes to the plan of study will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies. The student and the advisor will sign the form submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.

Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1) : 9 Credits


Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2): 9 Credits


GRAD XXX: Regional course                      3 Credits

GRAD XXX: Program Interest Area course 3 Credits

GRAD XXX: Program Interest Area course 3 Credits

Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2): 9 Credits


Total Credit Hours: 36


Sample Plan of Study (Exit Option 3: Six Additional Credit Hours + Research Paper)


The typical plan of study requires enrollment in a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per term to remain full-time.  Not every course is offered every term, and the following plan of study is an illustration. At the initial conference with an advisor, a preliminary plan of study will be established, and this will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies (using the SGS Plan of Study Form) for placement in the student’s official file.  At this time, any anticipated exceptions or anticipated transfer credits will be noted. An estimated time for completion of the exit option must be included. Changes to the plan of study will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies. The student and the advisor will sign the form submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.

Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1) : 12 Credits


Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2): 9 Credits


GRAD XXX: Regional course                      3 Credits

GRAD XXX: Program Interest Area course 3 Credits

GRAD XXX: Program Interest Area course 3 Credits

Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2): 9 Credits


GRAD XXX: Elective           3

GRAD XXX: Elective           3

GRAD XXX: Elective (to satisfy portion of 6 additional credits req’d) 3

Total Credit Hours: 39


Sample Plan of Study (Exit Option 4: Study/Research Abroad + Research Paper))


The typical plan of study requires enrollment in a minimum of nine (9) credit hours per term to remain full-time.  Not every course is offered every term, and the following plan of study is an illustration. At the initial conference with an advisor, a preliminary plan of study will be established, and this will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies (using the SGS Plan of Study Form) for placement in the student’s official file.  At this time, any anticipated exceptions or anticipated transfer credits will be noted. An estimated time for completion of the exit option must be included. Changes to the plan of study will be reported to the School of Graduate Studies. The student and the advisor will sign the form submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.

Year 1, First Semester (Fall, Year 1): 9 Credits


Year 1, Second Semester (Spring, Year 1) : 9 Credits


Year 2, Third Semester (Fall, Year 2): 9 Credits


GRAD XXX: Regional course                      3 Credits

GRAD XXX: Program Interest Area course 3 Credits

GRAD XXX: Program Interest Area course 3 Credits

Year 2, Fourth Semester (Spring, Year 2): 0 Credits


STUDY / RESEARCH ABROAD

INST 793  : Master’s Pre-Candidacy   3/9* Credits

 

* NOTE: INST 793 IS ONLY USED IF FULL-TIME STATUS IS REQUIRED BY THE STUDENT.  This course conveys full-time status to a master’s graduate student engaged in study prior to the achievement of master’s candidacy. Students preparing for comprehensive examinations or for a thesis proposal defense enroll in this course.  Additionally, students needing additional time to complete a Master’s Project enroll in this course after initial enrollment in the appropriate Master’s Project course. This course is a non-curricular course and cannot be used as a program credit requirement.  The student registers for 3 credit hours and the registration reports the full-time status of 9 graduate credit hours.  

Year 3, Fifth Semester (Fall, Year 3): 6 Credits


 GRAD XXX:  Elective                     3 Credits

GRAD  XXX: Elective                      3 Credits

INST 793  : Master’s Pre-Candidacy 3** Credits

OR,

INST 788 : (Guided Research)         3*** Credits

 

** NOTE: INST 793 IS ONLY USED IF FULL-TIME STATUS IS REQUIRED BY THE STUDENT.  This course conveys full-time status to a master’s graduate student engaged in study prior to the achievement of master’s candidacy. Students preparing for comprehensive examinations or for a thesis proposal defense enroll in this course.  Additionally, students needing additional time to complete a Master’s Project enroll in this course after initial enrollment in the appropriate Master’s Project course. This course is a non-curricular course and cannot be used as a program credit requirement.  The student registers for 3 credit hours and the registration reports the full-time status of 9 graduate credit hours.  

 

*** NOTE: INST 788 may be used instead of INST 793 if the student is also taking 6 additional credits during the term and seeking assistance with the research necessary for the Research Paper.  This course is not intended to be part of the base curriculum, but may be added as needed.

Total Credit Hours: 33-36


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