• International Affairs (MS)

  • Contact Us

    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
    [email protected]

    Program Contact
    International Affairs Program
    6 East 16th Street, 9th floor (map)
    New York, NY 10011
    [email protected] 
    Phone: 212.206.3524
    Fax: 212.924.1292

    Chair
    Antina von Schnitzler, Associate Professor of International Affairs

    Program Staff
    Questions about academic and student affairs should be directed to [email protected].

  • Admission Links

  • 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.

    • Degree Master of Science (MS)
    • Credits 30
    • Format Full-time or part-time, on campus
    • Duration 14–18 months (full-time)
    • Start Term Summer, fall, or spring

    View current tuition and fees

    Customized Modules

    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 they 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 include:

    • Humanitarianism + Geographic Information Systems
    • Global Advocacy + Media Production
    • Cities and Sustainable Development + Community Engagement and Participation
    • Development Policy + Economic Analysis

    You can also design your own modules in consultation with academic advisors.

    Curriculum

    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 Flows3
    NINT 5000 Theories, Histories, and Practices of Development3
    Subject Module (three courses)9
    Critical Tools and Analysis Module (two courses)6
    An elective3
    Capstone Project6
    Total30

    Core Courses

    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. 

    Modules

    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).

      Electives

      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. 

      Capstone Project

      All MS students must complete a capstone project—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.

      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.

       

    • Take The Next Step

    Submit your application

    Undergraduates

    To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

    Undergraduate Adult Learners

    To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

    Graduates

    To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.