General Admission Contact
The New School for Social Research
Office of Admission
72 Fifth Avenue, 1st floor
New York, NY 10011
212.229.5600 or 800.523.5411
SocialResearchAdmit@newschool.edu
Program Contact
International Affairs Program
72 Fifth Avenue, 7th floor (Map)
New York, NY 10011
intaffairs@newschool.edu
Phone: 212.206.3524
Fax: 212.924.1292
Directors and Coordinators
Sean Jacobs, Director, Julien J. Studley Graduate Programs in International Affairs
Mark Johnson, Chair, MS International Affairs
Everita Silina, Chair, MA International Affairs
Program Staff
Questions about academic and student affairs should be directed to NSSRAcademicAffairs@newschool.edu.
The Master of Science (MS) in International Affairs is a self-designed modular program designed for students who already have at least three to five years of professional experience in international affairs. The flexible MS structure provides further conceptual grounding in the field, combined with specialized subject-matter knowledge in a given field.
The MS program modules draw from programs across The New School in fields such as social research, design, and media. Students customize their course of study by choosing one of the Subject Modules, through which students gain in-depth, substantive knowledge of a particular thematic area of professional interest. They also choose one of the Critical Tools and Analysis Modules to develop specific applied skills in preparation for professional careers.
There are dozens of potential module combinations. Examples of strategic pairings, just to name a few, include:
You can also design your own modules in consultation with academic advisors.
The MS program combines two core courses and two module selections (spanning five classes) with a range of electives and opportunities for social research and hands-on experience.
Courses |
Credits |
| NINT 5001 Global Flows | 3 |
| NINT 5000 Theories, Histories, and Practices of Development | 3 |
| Subject Module (three courses) | 9 |
| Critical Tools and Analysis Module (two courses) | 6 |
| An elective | 3 |
| Capstone Project | 6 |
| Total | 30 |
All MS 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, practices, and issues of development.
Each student selects one module from each of the two categories: one Subject Module (9 credits) and one Critical Tools and Analysis Module (6 credits).
Students can earn up to six credits toward their MS through these experiential-learning programs:
The International Field Program provides field experience with a local or international organization in another country under academic supervision. Past sites have included 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 students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in consultancy work with the UN system through a summer intensive curriculum based in New York City.
International Affairs offers a selection of elective courses that range from general surveys to advanced research seminars to practice-oriented courses. MS 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.
All MS students must complete a capstone project — either a thesis, a research portfolio, a practicum, or a practice-based portfolio. Students choose their final project in consultation with their advisor after they have completed 18 credits.
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.
The New School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.