Master's in International Affairs
Overview
The Master of Arts in International Affairs degree prepares students for careers in national security, diplomacy, intelligence, international development, and other areas of international affairs. This 30-credit hour professional degree program provides an interdisciplinary academic and practical preparation in geopolitics, international security, international economics, while developing the analytic writing and briefing skills necessary for careers in national service and the private sector.
The Tampa Bay metropolitan area is a nexus of global affairs and national security activity with US Central Command and US Special Operations Command headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, federal agencies with national and global missions, and growing financial and cybersecurity sectors.
The M.A. program develops specialized knowledge and skills through two track options: Security and Diplomacy, or Society and Development. All students take core seminars in international relations and international political economy, a methods course, three classes within their selected concentration, and two elective courses. Students have the option of writing a thesis as a capstone or they can pursue a coursework option to complete their degree by taking two additional electives.
To see the Master of Arts in International Affairs curriculum, please visit the graduate catalog.
To apply, visit the USF Office of Admissions website.
For further information or questions, please fill out this form.
Admissions
The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies at the University of South Florida offers a master's in International Affairs. For a listing of the admission requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog.
Students must apply for admission through the Office of Graduate Admissions. The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies admits for the fall and spring semesters.
*International students should review the Office of Admissions International Students website for additional information and requirements.
*International students are also encouraged to contact the Office of International Services for information on visas, international travel, etc.
Program Requirements
For the Master's in Political Science degree requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog. Students should adhere to the requirements within the Graduate Catalog under which they were admitted.
*Students can elect another catalog following the one they were admitted under. More information on this policy, and other policies, can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
*Students must request approval from the graduate director for any course not pre-approved
and listed under the degree in the Graduate Catalog.
Financial Assistance
The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies funds a limited number of qualified master’s degree students. Funded students will receive a graduate assistantship that includes:
- a stipend for the academic year (9 months)
- a tuition waiver (not including school fees)
- the option of health insurance mostly paid by the department (the student only pays a small amount towards insurance)
We only process graduate assistantships in Spring, so they become available in Fall
for the next academic year.
If you would like to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship, which is a 20 per hour week job where you would assist professors in organizing and grading for their classes, please indicate your interest in the statement of purpose that accompanies your program application. These 9-month academic year positions come with a biweekly stipend, a tuition waiver which pays most tuition costs, and access to subsidized health insurance. There are only a small number of graduate assistantships available and they are awarded on a competitive basis, based on applicants’ academic credentials.
The graduate assistantship is based on maintaining satisfactory annual academic progress. The graduate assistantship requires each student to work 20 hours per week, which means the student would be assisting professors of the department with their teaching and class preparations. The department also provides funding for conference travel or the presentation of research at conferences upon approval.
*Information on the assistantship can be found in the graduate catalog and more information can be found on the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center website.
PLEASE NOTE: International students whose native language is not English and who want to be considered for a graduate assistantship must show proficiency in spoken English even if their TOEFL has been waived for admission to a graduate program. More information on the TOEFL requirement can be found under Admission Requirements in the graduate catalog.
To see the Master of Arts in International Affairs curriculum, please visit the graduate catalog.
To apply, visit the USF Office of Admissions website.
For further information or questions, please fill out this form.
Forms/Information
General Information
School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies Graduate Resources
Independent Study/Directed Research Contract
Graduate Catalog Listing
Office of Graduate Studies Forms
Graduate Course Late Add/Drop Petition
Thesis and Literature Review Forms
Master's Thesis ETD Checklist
Graduate Student Supervisory Committee Appointment Form
Request to Schedule Thesis Defense Form
Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Certificate of Approval Form
Electrionic Thesis & Dissertation Dates and Deadlines
Thesis Defense Announcement
Non-Thesis Literature Review Guidelines
For further information or questions, please fill out this form.