International Relations (MA)
Program Description
Since 1886, NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) has prepared generations of global leaders. The MA in International Relations (MAIR) continues that tradition, training MAIR candidates for careers in the field of international affairs with a rigorous curriculum rooted in world-class scholarship. Our graduate program approaches International Relations as a subject that can be studied from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, using various methodologies. Drawing on scholars from across GSAS, as well as colleagues at the Law School, the Stern School of Business, and the Wagner School of Public Service, MAIR candidates have a range of academic options to shape their degree and career trajectory. Moreover, the Program strives to offer events on various topics with scholars, practitioners, and students to create an academic and professional dialogue within the field.
Dual Degree
The International Relations Department offers a dual degree with the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service: International Development Policy and Management Specialization MPA/International Relations MA.
See International Relations for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Admissions
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:
- Academic Transcripts
- Test Scores (if required)
- Applicant Statements
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of Recommendation, and
- A non-refundable application fee.
See International Relations for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
General Program
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 12 credits of general electives which can be a graduate level course from any NYU department or school, subject to approval from the Program Director | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
Concentrations
Students in this program may compliment their major with one of the following concentrations:
Asian Studies
The program will provide a listing of approved Asian Studies elective course offerings each term. Other NYU courses may be approved as electives with the permission of the program director. Courses taken outside the IR program may require permission of the instructor. Students must also attain the level of “advanced” in an Asian language (speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing), to be demonstrated by passing an examination; completing a third-year language course with a grade of B+ or higher; or completion of primary and/or secondary school with language of instruction in an Asian language.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 12 credits of Asian Studies electives, by advisement | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
European and Mediterranean Studies
In addition to the requirements shown below, students must also attain the level of “advanced” in a contemporary European language (speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing), to be demonstrated by either passing an examination or completing a third-year language course with a grade of B+ or higher.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| EURO-GA 2301 | What is Europe? | 4 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 8 credits of European and Mediterranean Studies electives, by advisement | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
International Law
Students must complete the same core and required course sequences as the standard MA program described above. In addition students must take 12 credits in International Law electives and 12 credits in International Relation electives. All other requirements are the same. The following existing international law courses will be accepted as the concentration’s international law electives.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 12 credits of International Law electives, by advisement | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
The following existing international law courses will be accepted as the concentration’s international law electives:
- European Union Law (LAW-LW.10851.001)
- Chinese Attitudes Toward International Law Seminar (LAW-LW.10070.001)
- Indigenous Peoples in International Law (LAW-LW.10902.001)
- International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Scholarship Seminar (LAW-LW.10492.001)
- International Human Rights (LAW-LW.11329.001)
- International Humanitarian Law (LAW-LW.12259.001)
- The United Nations and the Making of International Law Seminar (LAW-LW.10043.001)
- War, Crime and Terror Seminar (LAW-LW.11756.001)
- European Human Rights Law (LAW-LW.11601.001)
- Foreign Relations Law of the United States Seminar (LAW-LW.10235.001)
- History and Theory of International Law Seminar (LAW-LW.10997.001)
- International Organizations (LAW-LW.10256.001)
- Law and Development (Colloquium only; LAW-LW.10295.001)
Other NYU courses may be approved as electives with the permission of the program director. The Law School courses above will require permission from the instructor and for students to fill out this request form. Space is limited and priority will be given to Law students.
International Politics and Business
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 12 elective credits at NYU Stern, by advisement | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
The program will provide a listing of approved Latin American and Caribbean Studies elective course offerings each term. Other NYU courses may be approved as electives with the permission of the program director. Courses taken outside the IR program may require permission of the instructor. Students must also attain the level of “advanced” in a Latin American or Caribbean language (speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing), to be demonstrated by passing an examination; completing a third-year language course with a grade of B+ or higher; or completion of primary and/or secondary school with language of instruction in a relevant language.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| LATC-GA 2001 | Intro Lat Am & Carib II: Hemispheric & Postcol | 4 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 8 credits of Latin American and Caribbean Studies electives, by advisement | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
Middle Eastern and Levantine Studies
The program will provide a listing of approved Middle East and Levantine Studies elective course offerings each term. Other NYU courses may be approved as electives with the permission of the program director. Courses taken outside the IR program may require permission of the instructor. Students must also attain the level of “advanced” in a language of North Africa or Middle East (Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Greek, Hebrew, and Armenian). Language skills (speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing) are demonstrated by passing an examination; completing a third-year language course with a grade of B+ or higher; or completion of primary and/or secondary school with language of instruction in a language of the Levant.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| INTRL-GA 1756 | Middle East Politics | 4 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 8 credits of Middle Eastern and Levantine Studies electives, by advisement | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
Russian and Slavic Studies
In addition to the program requirements below, students must also attain the level of “advanced” in all Russian language skills (speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing), to be demonstrated by either passing an examination or completing a third-year Russian language course (NYU’s RUSSN-UA 108 Advanced Russian II equivalent) with a grade of B+ or higher.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| RUSSN-GA 2121 | Graduate Proseminar | 4 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 12 | |
| Select 8 credits of Russian and Slavic Studies electives, by advisement | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
U.S. Foreign Policy
The thesis requirement for this program must deal with a policy issue relevant to U.S. foreign policy.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | Writing for International Affairs | 2 |
| INTRL-GA 1748 | US Foreign Policy | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 1751 | The US in the World | 4 |
| Elective Core Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Quantitative Analysis I | ||
| Qualitative Analysis I | ||
| Regional & Comp Politics | ||
| The World Economy | ||
| Thesis Seminar | ||
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Other Elective Requirements 1 | ||
| Select a minimum of 8 credits in International Relations electives defined as any course listed under International Relations course code, INTRL-GA | 8 | |
| Select 8 credits of U.S. Foreign Policy electives, by advisement | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 1
Students cannot double-count core or required courses as elective courses, but may take additional core courses to fulfill the elective course requirements.
Additional Program Requirements
Thesis
Students are required to take INTRL-GA 4000 Master's Thesis Seminar, during their last semester. The course is designed to provide structure and guidance to students writing a thesis. The thesis will be an academic work of ~15,000 words dealing with an important and timely topic in international relations.
Internship
To further their professional development all MAIR students are required to complete an internship. The internship places students in a professional work environment in either the public or private sector. The internship must total at least 140 hours over 14 weeks. Students can opt out of the Internship requirement if they are pursuing a scholarly track with the intention of completing a PhD after earning the MA In this case, students complete the ‘Readings and Research’ course, INTRL-GA 3991 Reading and Research, in lieu of 2 points of International Relations Electives in their second to last term, and then the Master’s Thesis Seminar, INTRL-GA 4000 Master's Thesis Seminar, in their final term. The R&R course work should be designed with their MA thesis supervisor to provide for a more advanced and rigorous MA thesis.
Language
Students must demonstrate proficiency in one language other than English. Students demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by completing one of the following:
- Passing the GSAS foreign language proficiency examination;
- completing an intermediate-level foreign language course with a grade of B or better at NYU or another accredited institution (student must submit official transcript as proof of completion); or
- completing secondary education or undergraduate degree in an institution where language of instruction is not English.
Sample Plan of Study
| 1st Semester/Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| INTRL-GA 1600 | Global & Intnl History | 4 |
| INTRL-GA 3992 | 2 | |
| General Elective/IR Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 10 | |
| 2nd Semester/Term | ||
| INTRL-GA 1700 | International Relations | 4 |
| One of INTRL-GA 1120, 1220, 1450 or 1900 | Elective Core Course | 4 |
| General Elective/IR Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| 3rd Semester/Term | ||
| General Elective/IR Elective | 4 | |
| General Elective/IR Elective | 4 | |
| General Elective/IR Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| 4th Semester/Term | ||
| General Elective/IR Elective | 4 | |
| INTRL-GA 4000 | Master's Thesis Seminar | 2 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:
- The ability to conduct rigorous investigation and analysis of a wide range of social phenomena, with a particular emphasis on International Relations and International Affairs.
- An understanding of common theories in the field of International Relations and their application to current and historical events.
- Used a combination of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods in addressing a substantial range of research questions in the field.
- The ability to write high quality research papers and/or policy papers on a range of topics in the field of International Relations.
- The ability to communicate concepts in the field of International Relations at a level that is appropriate for a practitioner or analyst of the field and utilize these concepts in future graduate study or place of employment.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies
Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.