International Affairs (MA)

Career-Relevant Concentrations

The concentrations in the International Affairs MA are more than collections of courses. They are areas in which students can link theory, social research, and practice in building careers as scholars or practitioners in international affairs. Students fulfill a concentration by taking a foundation course and three electives, chosen from a range of options. The concentrations are also the locus for guest lectures, workshops, and events, and the creation of working groups around topics of particular student interest.

Students choose from five concentrations:

• Cities and Social Justice
• Conflict and Security
• Development and Global Justice
• Governance and Rights
• Media and Culture

Read more about concentrations

Curriculum

The MA curriculum combines core courses with a wide range of electives and opportunities for social research and hands-on experience. The degree requirements can be completed either entirely on our campus in New York City or through the new hybrid format, which allows you to complete the first 18 credits of the degree online and the last 18 credits of coursework and the 6-credit capstone project in person.

Required Courses	Credits
NINT 5001 Global Flows	3
NINT 5000 Theories, Histories, and Practices of Development	3
Economics Requirement (choose one)	3
Research Methods Requirement (choose one)	3
Four concentration courses (one foundation course plus three electives)	12
Four elective courses, including courses connected with the International Field Program or United Nations Summer Study	12
Capstone Project	6
Total	42

 

Required Courses

All MA students take two required core courses that provide a critical and historical introduction to key concepts in international affairs. Global Flows is an analysis of globalization from the colonial era through the present. Theories, Histories, and Practices of Development examines basic concepts of development and introduces students to major issues in contemporary development thought and practice. Students are required to take Global Flows and fulfill the International Affairs economics requirement before they take Theories, Histories, and Practices of Development.  

MA students fulfill the economics requirement by taking either the introductory or the intensive sections of Economics in International Affairs. Students with extensive background in economics may get approval to fulfill the requirement by taking advanced economics classes in International Affairs or elsewhere at The New School.

Research Methods Requirement

MA students fulfill their research methods requirement by taking one of three courses:

• Research Design and Data Collection, which provides a general introduction to methodological theory, research design, and data collection strategies, with an emphasis on qualitative interviews and surveys, analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods
• Qualitative Research Methods, a workshop-based research design seminar that investigates the relationship between topics of inquiry, theory, and qualitative research methods
• Quantitative Methods, which introduces students to basic statistical techniques and the use of data analysis software

Students with prior training in research methods may take advanced courses, subject to advisor approval.

International Field Program and UN Summer Study

Students can earn up to six credits toward their MA through these field-based programs:

• The International Field Program provides field experience with a local or international organization abroad under academic supervision. Past sites include Cuba, India, Kosovo, China, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Argentina, Hong Kong, Colombia, Brazil, Lebanon, Turkey, and Nepal. New sites are frequently developed.
• The United Nations Summer Study offers an intensive curriculum on the role and challenges of the UN system with an option to complete a practicum experience with a UN agency. This unique program benefits from critical debates with UN staff, delegates, and civil society critics.

Electives

International Affairs offers a selection of elective courses that range from general surveys to advanced research seminars to practice-oriented courses. MA students can take electives offered by International Affairs or by other New School graduate programs in fields such as design, social research, media, and many others. 

Capstone Project

All MA students must complete a capstone project, either a thesis or the practicum in international affairs. Students choose their final project in consultation with their advisor after they have completed 18 credits.

Graduate Minors

You can also use your elective courses to complete one of the university's graduate minors, which provide a structured, accessible way to complement your primary course of study with fresh ways of thinking. Your graduate minor is officially recorded on your transcript.