Global MA in International Relations (GMA)
The global master of arts (GMA) in international relations enables students to analyze the complexities and processes involved in world politics and international affairs. Students achieve this objective not only through coursework providing exposure to the key subfields of the discipline and relevant issues such as globalization, human rights, humanitarian action, and economic development, but also through professional seminars and through academic work in five of Webster’s overseas sites. The program is ideal for students seeking work with a governmental agency, an intergovernmental organization, a nongovernmental organization, or a multinational corporation. This program is also recommended to students planning to pursue a PhD or an academic career at another institution.
Global Degrees
Students enrolled in Webster Global degrees achieve greater comprehension of theoretical approaches to understanding global issues, not only through traditional course work, but also through lived experience in different nations, interaction with local people, and through field visits. Hence, there are several fundamental experiences that identify the “Global degree” from a “non-global” degree.
- A Global degree cannot be completed at one Webster University campus alone.
- A Global degree includes study at several Webster University campuses in a minimum of three different countries.
- A Global degree allows students to engage in various cultures and develop a “global” perspective that might not otherwise be achieved.
- A Global degree requires a structured rotation of students among the Webster campuses with a predefined academic curriculum for each campus.
- A Global degree allows for the movement of a cohort of students between campuses while still achieving all of the requirements for graduation.
- A Global degree has the intent that the time spent in the local culture at each Webster campus complements the academic work in the particular area of study.
Global degree programs have a cohort of students. They are not available for single students moving among campuses. The cohort size will be determined by the academic department offering the Global degree. Therefore, the integration of location specific highlights that enhance academic understanding is crucial to a Global degree and should be organized as a part of the student’s coursework normally in professional seminars.
For more information, visit the Global MA Program page.
Upon completion of the program, students should:
- Have a working knowledge of several subfields of the discipline.
- Have strong research skills.
- Be able to critically analyze international events and issues.
- Be able to apply theories of international relations to the practice of international affairs.
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
- Have the necessary education and develop skills relevant to employment in the field.
The 36 credit hours required for the global master of arts (MA) degree must include the following courses for a major in international relations:
- INTL 5000 Introduction to International Relations
- INTL 5100 Research Methods and Perspectives
- INTL 6000 International Relations: Theory and Practice Two courses from the Comparative Politics Cluster (six credit hours)
- Four courses from the International Politics Cluster (twelve credit hours)Two courses of INTL 5500 Professional Seminar (six credit hours)
- One elective course (three credit hours)
Students in the Global MA in international relations normally do not have the option of completing the program through INTL 6250 Thesis. Doing so requires at least six additional credits.
Comparative Politics Cluster (2 courses)
- INTL 5050 Comparative Politics
- INTL 5570 Comparative Foreign Policy
- INTL 5580 Politics of Development
- INTL 5600 Area Studies
- INTL 5605 Topics in Comparative Politics
- INTL 5625 Middle East Area Studies
- INTL 5635 Western European Area Studies
- INTL 5645 Asian Area Studies
- INTL 5655 African Area Studies
- INTL 5665 South and Central Asian Area Studies
- INTL 5675 Central and Eastern European Area Studies
- INTL 5685 Latin American Area Studies
International Politics Cluster (4 courses)
- INTL 5400 International Political Economy
- INTL 5510 Theories of International Relations
- INTL 5530 International Law
- INTL 5540 International Organizations
- INTL 5550 War and Diplomacy
- INTL 5560 U.S. Foreign Policy
- INTL 5700 Humanitarian Issues in International Politics
- INTL 5800 Globalization
- INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics
- INTL 5870 International Law and Politics of Outer Space
- INTL 5890 Terrorism in World Politics
International Relations Elective Courses (1 course)
- Any additional course from the two clusters above.
Not all of the courses listed above will be available to students at all locations.
If the requisite course is waived, the student must choose an elective course from this major.
The required courses and electives listed in this core may be taken as directed studies, subject to the conditions stated in the Directed Studies section under Academic Policies and Procedures.
Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should see the Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.
Admission Requirements
Application deadline date: March 1, or until the class is filled (for enrollment in August of the same year)
Requirements for United States citizens and US permanent residents:
- Apply online at http://admissions.webster.edu/admissions/graduate/application/app_login.asp, and select an international campus, then choose “Global International Relations.” Submit required application fee.
- Official degree-conferred transcript. Students who expect to earn their bachelor’s degree by July must submit an official transcript showing current academic progress. A final degree-conferred transcript must be submitted for full admission.
- Students should have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 out of a 4.0 grading scale from their bachelor’s degree. Students with below this GPA may be considered for admission if they show successful academic achievement in their junior and senior years. This is completed on a case-by-case basis.
- Resume showing educational, work and volunteer experience.
- Essay of 500-700 words, on the topic: “What does it mean to be a global citizen?”
- Two letters of recommendation which speak to the applicant’s motivation, character, and ability to be successful in this intense program. One letter should come from a former or current professor/instructor.
- A phone interview may be required.
Non-US applicants must submit all the above and including:
TOEFL, IELTS or Pearson score-official only
| TOEFL | IELTS | Pearson | ||
| Paper | Computer | iBT | ||
| 575 | 230 | 90-91 | 6.5 | 61 |
Send all required documents to the following address:
Webster University
Office of Admissions
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119-3141
Acceptance
Accepted students will be notified by letter, telephone or email within 2 weeks after all admission requirements noted above have been received and evaluated. A deposit is required for enrollment in this program.
INTL 5000 Introduction to International Relations (3)
Students are introduced to the discipline of international relations through an overview of international security, foreign policy, international organizations, international law, and international political economy. Students examine the basic structure, processes, and issues relating to international affairs.
INTL 5050 Comparative Politics (3)
Students explore how we use comparison to theorize about politics and to identify both what holds across cultures and nations and what is idiosyncratic requiring area studies expertise. Topics may include democratization, state and nation building, stability and decay of institutions, systems of representation, parliamentary versus presidential governance, political development, and ideology.
INTL 5100 Research Methods and Perspectives (3)
Students are introduced to skills, methodological issues, and bibliographic resources, which enhance their ability to evaluate critically and to conduct research in the field of international relations.
INTL 5300 Field Work (3-6)
Students are involved actively with operations of non-academic institutions and engage in various aspects of field research. Policies and procedures in Directed Studies must be followed. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.
INTL 5400 International Political Economy (3)
Students explore, historically and conceptually, the interplay of economics and politics at the global level. They examine such phenomena as: the clash of the market and state, the north-south conflict, and the worldwide impact of technological change, transnational corporations, and the competition for accumulation.
INTL 5500 Professional Seminars (1-3)
Students participate in seminars designed to examine contemporary issues in international relations. The professional seminar supplements the core and elective courses in the area of international relations by focusing on issues of current and special interest. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. This course may not be completed by directed study.
INTL 5510 Theories of International Relations (3)
Students consider the growing literature on international relations theory, classical and modern, including realism, liberalism, feminism, behavioralism, globalism, and Marxist and imperialist theories, and the people who have elaborated these ideas and the context in which they did so. Students methodologically critique and compare theories, as well as gain an appreciation for the relevance of theory for international relations.
INTL 5530 International Law (3)
This course surveys trends and practices that are part of the process of adjudication across national boundaries. Some historical background is provided. Current cases and procedures are the major focuses of course content.
INTL 5540 International Organizations (3)
Various approaches to international organizations are explored, and the contribution of these organizations to peace and economic and social progress is examined. Current issues facing the United Nations and its associated agencies are discussed within this context.
INTL 5550 War and Diplomacy (3)
Students examine the evolution of diplomacy and warfare in international relations. Specifically, students examine the roots of conflict between nations and study the mechanisms through which international conflicts are resolved.
INTL 5560 U.S. Foreign Policy (3)
Students examine the issues, agents, and models surrounding the American foreign policy decision-making process and the issues facing the United States in contemporary international relations.
INTL 5570 Comparative Foreign Policy (3)
This course compares how various governments develop the strategies that guide their actions in international affairs. This course employs an institutional and cross-national approach to demonstrate how foreign policy is formulated and influenced by domestic and international considerations. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5580 Politics of Development (3)
The student examines problems of social, economic, and political development in Third World nations. Course content focuses on problems of nation building in the postcolonial era and the role of the developing nations in world politics.
INTL 5600 Area Studies (3)
The student examines the history, culture, politics, and economic systems of regions and countries that play an important role in world politics. Specific content varies from term to term and includes regions such as Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and North America. The course may be repeated for credit if content differs.
INTL 5605 Topics in Comparative Politics (3)
Specific topics and issues in comparative politics, such as democratization, military politics, migration, health care policies, etc. are examined in depth, using a cross-national approach. May be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5610 Non-Thesis Readings/Research (3)
This is an intensive, one-on-one reading and/or research course for students with special interests in cooperation with an individual professor. This course may not duplicate other courses in the curriculum. Policies and procedures in Directed Studies must be followed. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.
INTL 5625 Middle East Area Studies (3)
This course examines politics in the region known as the Middle East, in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects included in this course include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5635 Western European Area Studies (3)
This course examines politics in Western Europe in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects included in this course include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5645 Asian Area Studies (3)
This course examines politics in Asia in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects included in this course include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5655 African Area Studies (3)
This course examines politics in Africa in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects included in this course include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5665 South and Central Asia Area Studies (3)
This course examines politics in the regions known as South Asia and Central Asia in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects included in this course include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5675 Central and Eastern Europe Area Studies (3)
This course examines politics in Central and Eastern Europe in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects included in this course include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5685 Latin American Area Studies (3)
This course examines politics in the region known as Latin America in the context of its historical development, culture and economics. Typical subjects included in this course include the neo-colonial tension between modernization and tradition, challenges of economic development, authoritarian and democratic tendencies, ethnic tensions, etc. Course may be repeated if content differs.
INTL 5700 Humanitarian Issues in International Politics (3)
This course provides a forum for investigating such transnational issues as: regionalism, the environment, human rights, and refugees. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.
INTL 5800 Globalization (3)
Globalization is the intensification of economic, political, social, and cultural relations across international borders. The course will focus on the uneven process of globalization and its effects in terms of cross-national intensity, geographical scope, and national and local depth. Further, the course will explore the factors which have led to globalization in the context of the debate about the real content of the globalization process and the degree of change they invoke in the international system. In addition the course will focus on several key international issues that are currently shaping the global political and economic environment.
INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics (3)
The course examines in depth such issues and topics as: terrorism, controlling weapons of mass destruction, illicit trade, imperialism, and conflict resolution. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.
INTL 5870 International Law and Politics of Outer Space (3)
This course examines the development of international law governing outer space, treating outer space as an “international territory” and examining conflicts over the role of industries and nations with the technological resources to exploit the territory. Includes topics such as security concerns. Ownership of natural resources, communications issues, etc.
INTL 5890 Terrorism in World Politics (3)
This course examines the causes and political responses to terrorism in international politics. Issues examined may include origins and goals of major global terrorist organizations, tension between civil liberties and security in responding to terrorism, distinguishing between terrorism and other forms of warfare, etc.
INTL 5900 Advanced Research Methods (3)
This course builds upon INTL 5100 by providing additional analytical and theoretical background relating to research methods, data analysis, qualitative techniques, and statistical theory. Prerequisite: INTL 5100.
INTL 6000 International Relations: Theory and Practice (Integrated Studies) (3)
Various contemporary theories of international relations are examined. The relationship of theory to the practice of international relations is considered. This course presents an overview for students who are completing a major in international relations. Prerequisite: completion of at least 30 credits toward major.
INTL 6250 Thesis (6)
The student completes a thesis project under the supervision of two faculty members. The thesis option is recommended for those considering graduate study at the doctoral level. All theses must follow university guidelines and be deposited in the Webster University library. Proposal forms are available from the department web site. Students must secure approval of their proposal from the academic director or coordinator of the program at the site where the thesis is to be done. General policy is to expect proposals to be submitted before the 24th credit hour is completed.
Updated 6/1/2011
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