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IR Program Overview

For students who entered in or after fall 2006

The 16-month MA-IR Program features five curricular components.  Students: (1) complete four core courses to prepare them with general knowledge and skills needed in the global workplace; (2) focus their studies by choosing two of six career tracks, while also integrating regional studies; (3) depending on their chosen Career Tracks, take one of two signature courses – courses that draw fully on the Maxwell School’s expertise in public affairs and up-to-date/cutting edge applied social science research (4) take a capstone course at the end of their second semester in preparation for their summer internship; and (5) complete an internship through one of the Program’s global opportunities. 

As part of the interdisciplinary social science framework of the Maxwell School, the core courses are designed to provide all students with general knowledge of the field of international affairs from theoretical, historical, and microeconomic perspectives.  The “skills” component of the core curriculum is intended to provide students with valuable quantitative and qualitative professional skills for the global workplace.

History of International Relations – IRP 645   

This course examines influential events of the 20th and 21st Centuries, reviewing how theorists and practitioners sought to make sense of these events and their consequences.  Additionally, we try to anticipate how probable events of the near future might alter the practices and understandings of international relations.

Microeconomics for IR – ECN 601                                   

This course is aimed at exploring “applied” intermediate microeconomics in cross-national settings.  This course has been a core course in the IR curriculum since 1995.

Quantitative Skills for International Relations – IRP 704      

This course familiarizes students with the diverse sources and methods used to analyze data upon which decisions are made, upon which programs and policies are designed and implemented.  This class is designed to help IR students to develop into knowledgeable users of such data.

Qualitative Skills for International Relations – IRP 705        

This course is designed to help develop students into knowledgeable users of diverse qualitative social science methods and analytical tools.  This hands-on seminar is designed to make you familiar with the design and implementation of simulations and games that can be used to analyze alternative futures. In addition, you will also be trained in useful qualitative techniques, such as interviewing and the use of focus groups, documentary research, and observation, both non-participant and participant.

B. Signature Courses:                                                                  

The signature courses were designed to demonstrate Maxwell's competitive strengths in comparative political analysis and cultural studies as they relate to international affairs.  Each signature course matches one or more career tracks.  We recommend students take the signature course that best corresponds to their chosen career tracks chosen.   

Comparative Foreign Policy – PSC 783                                 

This course offers an introduction to the comparative analysis of foreign policy for the professional degree students in the MA in International Relations Program. A survey and critique of approaches to understanding foreign policy decision-making from the perspective of the practitioner who must deal with problems of individual choice, small groups, bureaucratic politics, and organizational constraints in the conduct of foreign policy. Case studies and simulations are used to provide first-hand experience in policy decision-making in the United States and other countries.

Culture in World Affairs – IRP 707        

The entire enterprise of international relations is conditioned by cultural issues. These are of two kinds; the general background that is formed by cultural activities, and phenomena that are specifically cultural. Both of these levels of culture are becoming more important in the international relations. This course offers a basic and systematic survey of a variety of domains of world affairs in which culture is of particular importance.

C. Capstone                                                                        

The Capstone Seminar (IRP 706) is a new one-credit course to be offered during the Maymester, offering professional training to students before they embark on their summer internships.  The object of the seminar is to provide students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in a professional (albeit simulated) setting.

Students will be engaged in a policy simulation exercise, confronting an alternative future policy problem or crisis.  Based on your particular Career Track focus, each student will be assigned a role (e.g. Foreign Minister of Nigeria, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, or President of Human Rights Watch).  Each Career Track group will meet periodically during the spring semester with a faculty advisor to prepare for the simulation.  This faculty advisor will eventually assess students' performance during the exercise (as well as on potential written deliverables) and assign grades.  We are pleased to announce that the Maxwell School recently won a $370K grant from the Luce Foundation to offer special programming on religion in international affairs.  As part of this grant, the IR Capstone will incorporate the role of religion into the exercise.  We see the capstone as the culminating experience of your first year of studies here at Maxwell and as a way to bridge the academic and professional aspects of your education. 

D. Global Internship:                                                                          

Practical training is an integral part of the MA-IR degree program.  As such, all students will be required to complete a 3-credit internship (with the exception of mid-career students).  The IR Program offers students multiple global program opportunities in the United States and abroad.  For a more complete description, please see “Global Programs” below.

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Career Tracks

The field of international relations is multidisciplinary in nature and is as broad as the world itself.  Proficiency in key areas such as economics, history, politics, and quantitative methods serve to prepare students for a wide variety of positions.  However, with such a broad education, it is crucial that students focus on particular fields of expertise.  The career tracks are designed with this objective in mind, to effectively steer students toward careers in diverse areas of international affairs.

The six Career Tracks constitute the career fields that most international relations graduates enter.  Students choose two Career Tracks from the list below, completing 9 credits in one and 6 credits in the other. 

This level of focus is crucial to the job search.  By having students identify two Career Tracks at the onset of their degree program, students are able to channel their energies on a specific field and the corollary career goals.  This relationship has been described below by identifying the common career options, both positions and organizations, for which our students pursuing these career tracks would compete upon graduation. 

Global Markets

The Global Markets Career Track focuses on the influence of capital markets and the international political economy in today’s world.  International banking, finance, and economic development are all crucial in understanding political relations, security and conflict, and development issues.

This career field offers a unique opportunity to marry private-sector capital concerns with delicate political and social issues.  As banks and businesses continue to globalize their services and emerging markets continue to influence developed financial markets, an understanding of how internationalization influences interest rates, currency and securities values, and local economies is crucial. 

Sample Subfields: International Trade, International Banking and Finance, Economic Policy, International Economic Development, Multinational Business

Sample Employers: Booz, Allen Hamilton, Ernst & Young, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Federation of International Trade, International Monetary Fund, KPMG, McKinsey & Co., OECD, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce, World Bank, World Trade Organization

Global Development

The Global Development career track offers students the opportunity to study the interplay of social, economic and political interests as they collide in the developing world.  This field of work can require a significant array of technical skills and unique strategies which are often difficult to define without experience in the field.

This is perhaps the most diverse career field in that it spans the private and public sectors through work at consulting firms, businesses, governments, international organizations, non-profits, foundations, and research institutes.

Sample Subfields: Democratization, Development Finance, Education, Environment, Gender and Development, International Public Health, Micro-enterprise/Microfinance, Relief, Urban Planning

Sample Employers: Academy for Educational Development, Amnesty International, ARD, Inc., Asian Development Bank, Catholic Relief Services, Creative Associates International, Inc., Development Alternatives, Inc., Environmental Defense Fund, FINCA, Global Fund for Women, Human Rights Watch, ICF Consulting, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Women’s Health Coalition, International Organization for Migration, OXFAM, Research Triangle Institute, United Nations, U.S. Agency for International Development, World Bank, World Health Organization

Foreign Policy

Foreign policy is most commonly associated with diplomacy.  This is often seen as the heart of international affairs as it is the delicate communication handled by national representatives that define the relationships between nation states.  However, while this interaction may be limited to select players, it has the power to influence all fields within this discipline and is, therefore, a powerful area to master – or at least study.

Students who select foreign policy as their primary career track often set their sights on a career in the Foreign Service.  However, this field is valuable for any student of international relations, and as a result, the career paths that follow are varied.

Sample Subfields: Democracy, Diplomacy, International Law, Conflict Mediation and Negotiation, Lobbying, Political Affairs, Policy Studies.

Sample Employers:   Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Council of Europe, Council on Foreign Relations, European Commission, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, International Foundation for Election Systems, National Democratic Institute, Organization of American States, Social Science Research Council, United Nations, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State

Negotiation/Conflict Resolution

Understanding the underlying principles that drive the causes of conflicts and skills in managing conflicts constructively are increasingly important in policy and project positions in international service.  Career options abound in government, non-government, international and private organizations.  Careers can vary from research on issues of peace and conflict to resolution training in war-torn societies and dispute mediation at the state, organization and individual level.

What is valuable about this career track is that students must be able to comprehend the intricate social, economic and political factors involved in conflicts above and beyond the analytical and technical skills required to address the issues.  In addition, a cultural sensitivity and awareness, along with a deep desire to strengthen relationships between disputing parties is critical to a student’s success in this field.

Sample Subfields: Human Rights, International Security, Peace Education, Social Work and Counseling, International Development, International Law, Organizational Management

Sample Employers: African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, The Carter Center, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy, INCORE (International Conflict Research), International Crisis Group, Institute for International Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Search for Common Ground, U.S. Institute of Peace, U.S. State Department

Global Security

This new career track was developed in response to the changing environment of international affairs – one that is often driven by national security interests, access to intelligence, and the question of defense and use of force.  This is an exciting field and one with many job prospects as governments and organizations alike are putting more emphasis on security concerns. 

Sample Subfields: War, Peacekeeping Strategies, Regional Stability, International Cooperation, Military Operations, Intelligence Gathering

Sample Employers: British American Security Information Council, Business Executives for National Security, Center for Defense Information, Center for Security Policy, Geneva Center for Security Policy, NATO, RAND Corporation, Raytheon, Stimson Center, United Nations, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Institute of Peace

Transnational Organizations and Leadership

This is another new career track that was developed in response to the growing emphasis on organizational management and leadership in this global environment of multinational and international organizations.  This is a unique academic focus among our peer institutions and represents Maxwell’s commitment to teaching tomorrow’s leaders. 

Now more than ever, effective and honest management within both international public and non-governmental organizations and the private sector is critical to the successful development of the growing international public sector.  This career track aims to instill the skills and values that strong leaders require in today’s network of international public and private institutions. 

Sample Subfields: International Public Management, Management of International Non-Governmental Organizations, Leadership Strategies, Accountability of International Organizations, International Law, Information Technology, Media and Communication

Sample Employers: Amnesty International, Asian Development Bank, Council of Europe, European Commission, Human Rights Watch, International Committee for the Red Cross, International Criminal Court, International Commission of Jurists, International Monetary Fund, International Labour Organization, Organization of American States, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Secretariat, U.S. Government, World Bank, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization

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Regional Focus/Concentration

The study of a particular world region is an important component of any curriculum in international affairs.  Regional knowledge serves to strengthen students’ marketability in the job market, better aligning them with targeted opportunities.  The new curriculum requires that students fulfill six credits of regional coursework.  This coursework can be completed on campus through regular coursework or, in many cases, off-campus through a combination of an internship and coursework abroad or in Washington, D.C.  These courses will double-count for a career track and for the regional focus.  Courses satisfying the regional requirement have an “(R)” next to the title of the course.

Students with strong regional interests may, in consultation with the Associate Director, create a regional concentration using six to nine credits of coursework.  The regional track would substitute for one of the two career tracks mentioned above.  Regional concentrations are generally available for Europe, Asia, and Latin America.   Depending on faculty and course availability, other regional concentrations (such as Africa and the Middle East) are possible, but not guaranteed.

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Global Programs

During the summer and second fall semesters, students typically participate in one of our Global Programs.  The summer programs in Washington, D.C. and in Geneva entail the completion of a three credit course and a three credit internship.  Our program in Strasbourg, France offers students two three-credit courses.  Our fall programs in Europe, Latin America, and Washington, D.C. combine both coursework and internship experience.   Selected and interested students also may participate in the Program’s exchange semester at partner institutions in Asia.

For complete information on our Global Programs, click here.   

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Outside Credits

Credit for courses taken at another institution at the graduate level of instruction, in which the grade of "B" or better was earned, can be counted toward the requirements for the M.A. in International Relations. Each course must deal in an integral way with some aspect of international affairs which is otherwise relevant to your program of study here. A maximum of 9 credits (usually equivalent to three courses) may be taken outside of the Maxwell School and applied to the M.A. in International Relations. This policy includes credits transferred from another university, as well as courses taken at other Colleges of Syracuse University (such as Law and Management) or SUNY-ESF. Students completing one of the joint degree programs may not transfer in any outside credits.