Mar 29, 2024  
2013-2014 Academic Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Academic Catalog [Published Catalog]

Global Affairs, with concentrations in International Cooperation, and International Security (MGA)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs


The Master of Global Affairs (MGA) is administered by the Department of Public Policy and Administration in the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. The program prepares students for leadership and responsibility positions in the conduct of global affairs and public policy in governments and international and regional multilateral agencies as well as in business and civil society organizations. It is expected that students will be drawn from and/or employed in mid-career positions in institutions working in global affairs or demonstrate promise for such careers, based on their commitment and their academic and professional background.

The MGA program aims to provide students with knowledge and professional skills required for the functioning of the global system in an inclusive manner at the international and national levels, combining conceptual understanding with analytic skills and knowledge of global affairs. Through this program, students will gain the capability to participate effectively in the formulation and implementation of policies in their own countries and in supporting, guiding, and monitoring action on global affairs at the multilateral level. Ultimately, both their own countries and the global system should benefit from the knowledge acquired.

Admission

All applicants must satisfy the university’s graduate admission requirements. Candidates for the MGA are recommended but not required to have two or more years of relevant professional experience.

Courses (33 credit hours)


Students seeking the degree of Master of Global Affairs must complete 33 credit hours of coursework plus a master’s project. The program core, required of all students, consists of 6 courses (18 credits). Students must also complete a concentration of 5 courses (15 credits). Students may elect either the concentration in International Security or the concentration in International Cooperation. Students are required to declare their concentration before beginning their second semester of enrollment in the program. In addition to coursework, students must complete a master’s project consistent with department and university guidelines.
 

Core Requirement (18 credit hours):


Students must complete four (4) courses in group 1, one (1) course in group 2, and one (1) course in group 3.

Concentration Requirement (15 credit hours):


Students must complete 5 courses in one of the following two areas. In addition to the courses shown for each concentration, students may select a course from the core list shown above as a Group 3 concentration course, if not taken as a core course (i.e., a course may be counted toward only one requirement) or, with advisor approval, may substitute an appropriate offering of PPAD 5199  – Selected Topics in Public Policy and Administration.
 

MGA Concentration 1: International Security – 5 courses (15 credits) required


MGA Concentration 2: International Cooperation – 5 courses (15 credits) required


Master’s Project (6 credits)


Students are required to complete a master’s project addressing a challenge relevant to their concentration from the point of view of an organization involved in the issue, which will serve as the project’s client. If a member of the organization’s staff is not available, the client role may be performed by an alternate designated by the department. The preparation of the master’s project proposal and final report must comply with departmental guidelines with regard to client involvement, content, format, dates, and the review and supervision process. Students developing a project proposal with a client are strongly encouraged to enroll in PPAD 5198 , the practicum. Once the project proposal is approved by the student’s master’s project supervisor, the student must enroll in PPAD 5298 , the research seminar, for one semester and for the additional semesters that are needed to complete the project, in PPAD 5299 , research guidance, until the project is completed. The student will pay 3 credits of tuition for the first enrollment in PPAD 5299 , subsequent enrollments if needed will require payment of 1 credit per semester. The master’s project may be completed as a team or as an individual project.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs