International Affairs and Leadership, MA
Counterterrorism, Development, Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Intelligence, International Affairs, Military, National Security, Terrorism, conflict resolution, diplomacy, ethics, foreign, leadership
Gain insights into U.S global policy and leadership in a flexible and innovative online degree program that equips you to be a pioneer in diplomacy, national security, international development, human rights, intelligence and many other fields in the global arena.
The Master of Arts program in international affairs and leadership prepares students for international leadership roles in a dynamic learning environment led by senior international affairs professionals from the public and private sectors.
The program offers a distinct blend of leadership capacity development --- both theory and practice --- as well as substantive training focused on U.S. foreign policy decision-making, national security, international trade, and human rights and other key global issues. Students have regular interactions with world-class professors and practitioners who help them learn how to shape the world in a meaningful and positive way.
The program places a high value on student-faculty interaction and on the learning of practical skills. Core courses are taught exclusively by highly experienced foreign policy practitioners, and emphasize policy debate and assignments that mimic real-world work. The program offers over two dozen electives, allowing students to chart their own path to success. Students even have the option to spend a week in Washington to engage directly with faculty and a host of U.S. and international experts.
The MA program in international affairs and leadership is lifelong community in which alumni, current students and faculty support each other in a vibrant professional network.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
This video provides an overview of the International Affairs and Leadership, MA degree program at ASU.
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (IAL 560)
Required Core (9 credit hours) Electives (18 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
IAL 501 Principles of Character-Driven Leadership (3)
IAL 502 The Making of U.S. National Security Policy (3)
IAL 503 Applied International Leadership: Case Studies (3)
IAL 560 Capstone (3)
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- letter of intent
- professional resume
- writing sample
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
GRE or GMAT results are not required but can be submitted as additional application material. ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.
Applicants should have a deep-rooted interest in international issues of the future and a desire to influence them through character-driven leadership within the context of an increasingly complicated, globalized world. Ideal candidates have previous leadership experience and plan to devote their careers to working with other cultures and nations across a variety of sectors. While an ideal candidate has previous experience traveling or living overseas or has studied a language other than English, candidates with no prior experience in these areas are also welcome to apply. International and domestic students are encouraged to apply.
Using the letter of intent, applicants should narrate their own leadership journeys and their motivations for further studies in the areas of international affairs and leadership. The letter of intent should describe the applicant's academic and professional interests to date, their reasons for pursuing a master's degree in international affairs and leadership, and how this advanced degree relates to their specific goals.
The application review panel also evaluates the applicant's writing skills. The writing sample could be an original essay or previously written research paper, essay, policy memo, or other document that demonstrates the applicant's writing and analytical skills.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 07/10 | Priority |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 12/01 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Recommend innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
- Effectively communicate analyses, ideas, and proposals - orally and in writing.
- Evaluate the leadership styles of real-world international leaders using character-driven leadership principles.
Students can earn credit towards their MA in international affairs and leadership degree by studying abroad in one of dozens of countries around the globe through ASU World Innovators Study Abroad Program. Students engaged in internships in the U.S. or overseas that are related to international affairs can earn course credit toward their program.
In addition, students can earn degree credit by producing research papers on international topics about which they are passionate. Some students travel overseas to conduct their research.
Graduates are making a mark in many fields and organizations, including U.S. government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent corporations.
Career opportunities include positions in:
- International Rescue Committee
- JET Program
- Peace Corps
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
- U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
- U.S. Small Business Administration
School of Politics and Global Studies
|
COOR 6801
spgs@asu.edu
480-965-8563
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
