Executive Master’s in International Relations in Washington, D.C.
Earn your degree part-time in 18 months.
Advance your career in international relations with an executive master’s degree from the #1-ranked Maxwell School and a leading national think tank.
The executive master’s in international relations in Washington, D.C. (E.M.I.R. in D.C.) is a powerful degree for experienced professionals focused on global affairs and eager for rapid career advancement.
- 30 credits (10 courses)
- Complete part time in as few as 18 months
- Evening courses in short, intensive sessions
- Flexible curriculum allows you to focus on topics relevant to you with multiple areas of study to choose from
- Combines practical knowledge and case studies with academic research and professional skill building
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Maxwell ranks #1 for schools of public affairs.
The hybrid [of] policy and research education from Maxwell and CSIS equipped me with the tools of understanding the makings of grand strategy, foreign policy and national security. An in-depth understanding of all national power tools is mission-critical to my job as a senior advisor and military officer.”
Lt. Commander Derrick M. Ingle ’20 E.M.I.R. IN D.C.
U.S. Navy
Admission
Who should apply?
Midcareer professionals with at least seven years of work experience who are ambitious learners eager to connect with top policy experts. Our students come from diverse backgrounds including federal government, research institutions, private corporations, NGOs and professional associations. The GRE is not required.
Priority Deadlines
Applications for the E.M.I.R. in D.C. program are accepted year round. We encourage you to apply by the following dates for priority consideration.
May 1 to start in the summer semester.
July 1 to start in the fall semester.
November 1 to start in the spring semester.
Core Requirements
Three courses (9 credits) will prepare you with the fundamental skills and knowledge to be an impactful leader in the global arena:
- Executive Education Seminar on Global Leadership
- Master’s Application Project (Capstone Project)
- Comparative Foreign Policy
Career Tracks
Three courses (9 credits) will form your concentration in one of five career tracks:
- Global Security and Intelligence
- Foreign Policy
- Global Markets
- Global Development
- Public Diplomacy
Regional Focus
Select one course (3 credits) from among our regional offerings:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Latin America
- Middle East
Electives
Take three courses (9 credits) that complement your program of study.
Elective course options vary by semester and draw from Maxwell’s incredible network of practitioners and scholars. Students benefit from both faculty who work and live in D.C. full time as well as Syracuse University faculty conducting research and applied work in the capital on a short-term basis.
A Powerful Partner
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is one of the world’s preeminent international policy institutions focused on defense and security, regional stability and transnational challenges ranging from energy and trade to global development and economic integration. All classes are held in CSIS’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and E.M.I.R. students work alongside CSIS experts and staff on a culminating capstone project.
This degree is extremely flexible. If you need to accelerate and take on an extra class, there are online options. If you need to slow down, you can take just one course at a time. The program is designed to meet your needs as a working professional.”
Megan Barnett ’20 E.M.I.R. IN D.C.
U.S. Navy Pilot, Flying Hour Program Officer
About the Maxwell School
As the leading school of public affairs in the United States, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is Syracuse University's home for innovative, interdisciplinary teaching and research across the social sciences, public policy, public administration and international relations.
This program is unique because it's housed at CSIS, providing access to resident scholars who are working on the crucial issues of the day. It's incredible to be able to have conversations with people you just saw on the news or cited in a report.”
Dan Myers ’19 E.M.I.R. IN D.C.
Director of Public Affairs, Last Wild Places, National Geographic