Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

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


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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, two (2) course in group 2

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 2 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 - Special Topics in Public Policy and Administration (1-3 cr.) , or Complete two (2) additional relevant courses (other than PPAD 5298  and PPAD 5299  ; selected in consultation with departmental advisor.

MGA Concentration 1: International and Regional Security


5 courses (15 credits) required

MGA Concentration 2: International Cooperation in the Global System


 5 courses (15 credits) required

Capstone Project


Students must complete a capstone project that addresses an issue or a challenge in global affairs with relevance to their concentration. The project should be directed towards an external client engaged in this issue. If a member of the client’s staff is not available, the client role may be performed by an alternate designated by the department. The preparation of the capstone project plan and final report must comply with departmental guidelines with regard to client involvement, content, format, and dates. Once the project plan is approved by the supervisor and/ or the client , the student will enrol in PPAD 5293 , the capstone project, where they will complete the necessary components per the departmental guidelines and client’s specification. The capstone project may be completed as a group or individual project with client and faculty permission.

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