International Affairs Program of Study
To earn your Master of Arts in International Affairs you must successfully complete our 40 credit program, which includes 9-12 credits in core courses, 12 credits in your field of concentration, 6-9 credits in elective courses, 3 credits in research methods, and 3 one-credit skills courses. You must also complete a capstone project, fulfill a foreign language proficiency requirement, and have the option of writing a thesis.
Master of Arts in International Affairs Program of Study
- Core Courses
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International Affairs (3 credits)
- IAFF 6101 International Affairs Cornerstone
History (3 credits)
- HIST 6030 The Use of History in International Affairs
Economics (3-6 credits)
- ECON 6280 Survey of International Economics
The three-credit, one-semester economics track is designed for students who have little background in economics. Those with a stronger prior background in economics may wish to substitute with this two-course sequence for six credits:
- ECON 6283 International Trade Theory and Policy
- ECON 6284 International Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
Note: ECON 6283 - 6284 is the required sequence for the major field of International Economic Affairs.
- Research Methods
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Students are required to take a three-credit, graduate-level course focusing on qualitative or quantitative social science research methods. Students may choose from the research methods courses listed on the GW Bulletin to fulfill this requirement.
- Capstone
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You must complete a Capstone project as a culminating experience during your final year of study at the Elliott School.
Elliott School Capstone projects provide an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired through your coursework to a current policy question.
- Optional Thesis
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If you want to continue to a Ph.D. program or pursue a research-oriented job, you may consider writing a thesis, which is an independent, in-depth research project that takes a year or more to complete. If you choose to complete a thesis, you must do so in addition to the Capstone requirement. Thesis credits will be counted as elective or specialization credits with Program Director approval. To pursue a thesis you need a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and approval from the faculty member you wish to serve as your thesis director. Thesis students also need to complete at least one research methods course.
Thematic Concentrations
Our thematic concentrations will help you acquire broad-based knowledge in one of a variety of fields that impact the entirety of the globe. Thematic concentrations in the International Affairs program consist of at least four courses selected from one of these global issues. Note that “Special Topics” courses may vary each semester. You can find specific course listings for your chosen Thematic Concentration in the GW Bulletin.
- Conflict and Conflict Resolution
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This concentration is for students interested in the various forms of conflict between individuals, groups, and countries, and the various means of resolving these conflicts. Students in this concentration explore different kinds of conflict, including interstate disputes, civil wars, ethnic and religious conflict, insurgency, terrorism, and violent extremism. Students will also examine the methods by which conflict is resolved, such as early warning and prevention, mediation, international peacekeeping, economic development, and transitional justice.
Learn more about the conflict and conflict resolution concentration
- Democracy Studies
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This concentration introduces students to the multifaceted challenges faced by democratic societies today. Students in this concentration examine: the challenges to world order brought by the rise of anti-liberal governments and movements; authoritarianism, populism, nationalism, and democratic back-sliding; social media, disinformation, and propaganda; and gender, race, and ethnicity.
- Global Energy and Environmental Policy
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This concentration offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of international energy and environmental policy. Approaching the issues from the perspectives of international security, international economics, global governance, and global health, students in this concentration examine the world’s most pressing energy and environmental challenges, such as global climate change, the international energy market, and natural resource depletion.
Learn more about the global energy and environmental policy concentration
- Global Gender Policy
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This concentration allows students to gain the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become world-class leaders on global gender equality issues. Students in this concentration apply a gender lens to a variety of international issues, such as conflict, economic development, public health, international education, and international law, all with an interest in advancing gender equality through their professional careers.
- Global Health
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This concentration introduces students to various areas of human health and well-being globally, with a special focus on the developing world. Students in this concentration examine the world’s most pressing global health issues, such as: global pandemic disease; environmental health problems; international nutrition and malnutrition; disparities in access to health care; and global health regulations and economics.
- International Affairs and Development
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This concentration offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of international development. Students in this concentration will examine various areas of international development, including development and humanitarian assistance, domestic and international economics, governance, culture and society, gender, global health, natural resources and the environment, and education.
Learn more about the international affairs and development concentration
- International Economic Affairs
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This concentration introduces students to various areas of international economics. Students in this concentration develop expertise in areas such as: international trade, investment, and finance; international business; international poverty and economic development; international financial and economic crises; international political economy; and the analysis of international economic data.
Learn more about the international economic affairs concentration
- International Law and Organizations
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This concentration introduces students to various areas of global governance, international organizations, and international law. Students in this concentration explore a wide range of issues related to global governance, including the structure and function of regional and international organizations, the enforcement of international law, and various problems that are addressed by international institutions, including poverty, hunger, human insecurity, conflict, and emerging threats.
Learn more about the international law and organizations concentration
- International Security Studies
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This concentration focuses on various security challenges at the regional, transnational, and international levels. Students in this concentration explore a wide range of international security issues, such as conflict and war, nuclear proliferation, intelligence and homeland security, international organized crime, global terrorism, environmental security, and emerging technology and security.
Learn more about the international security studies concentration
- Nuclear Policy
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This concentration offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of various policy issues related to nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Students in this concentration explore a wide range of nuclear policy issues, including the science of nuclear materials, the international energy market, the use civilian nuclear energy and its implications, nuclear weapons proliferation and non-proliferation, nuclear strategy, and nuclear arms control.
- Technology and International Affairs
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This concentration introduces students to a range of international science and technology policy issues. Students in this concentration explore various aspects of technology and international affairs, including innovation and economic growth, technology creation and diffusion, technology and diplomacy, and technology and international security. Students also explore many cutting edge technologies and their influence on international affairs, including information technology, biotechnology, material sciences, space exploration, and energy technology.
Learn more about the technology and international affairs concentration
- U.S. Foreign Policy
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This concentration is for students interested in a deep understanding of American foreign and national security policy. Approaching the issue from the perspectives of history, politics, and economics, students in this concentration explore various aspects of U.S. foreign policy, including: the modern history of American foreign relations; American trade, investment, and immigration policies; U.S. national security policy; and U.S. relations with specific countries and regions of the world.
Regional Concentrations
Our regional concentrations provide an opportunity for you to take a country or region you are interested in and passionate about and turn it into an area of expertise. Regional concentrations in the International Affairs program consist of at least four courses selected from one of these regional areas. You can find specific course listings for your chosen Regional Concentration in the GW Bulletin.
- Africa
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This concentration offers a comparative and international exploration of the countries of Africa. Students in this concentration examine modern African history and culture, comparative and regional politics, regional economic exchange and development, and the foreign policies and relations of African countries.
- Asia
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This concentration offers a comparative and international exploration of the countries of Asia. Students in this concentration examine modern Asian history and culture, comparative and regional politics, regional economic exchange and development, and the foreign policies and relations of Asian countries.
- Europe, Eurasia and Russia
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This concentration offers a comparative and international exploration of the countries of Europe and Eurasia. Students in this concentration examine: modern European and Eurasian history and culture; comparative and regional politics; regional economic integration, exchange, and development; and the foreign policies and relations of European and Eurasian countries.
Learn more about the Europe, Eurasia and Russia regional concentration
- Latin America
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This concentration offers a comparative and international exploration of the countries of Latin America. Students in this concentration examine modern Latin American history and culture, comparative and regional politics, regional economic exchange and development, and the foreign policies and relations of Latin American countries.
- Middle East
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This concentration offers a comparative and international exploration of the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Students in this concentration examine modern Middle Eastern history and culture, comparative and regional politics, regional economic exchange and development, and the foreign policies and relations of Middle Eastern countries.