As the urban hub of one of the fastest-growing democratic nations on the African continent, Accra, Ghana is experiencing vast development.  Many aid and development agencies, from small community-based organizations like ActionAid International, to branches of powerhouses like the UN Development Program, have made this coastal city their home.

Established in 2014 and located in the East Legion area of Accra, the Webster University Ghana campus is minutes away from the beach, and close to restaurants and shopping at Osu, Labone, and the Accra Mall.  Students from across the world enroll at the campus, benefitting from the cultural diversity and dynamic international environment.  Coupled with Accra’s recent growth, this makes it an ideal place to study for students interested in international relations and international development.

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The birthplace of democracy.  The cradle of Western Civilization. The glorious city.  It’s hard to downplay the historical significance of Athens, Greece – a thriving metropolis where the roots of modern politics run deep.  Webster Athens is nestled in the foothills of the Acropolis, beneath the majestic Parthenon.

Boasting a population of three million and the largest passenger sea port in Europe, the city is positioned at the confluence of Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it a key player in contemporary discussions on immigration policy and the EU’s relationship with the rest of Europe.  In Athens, students will find themselves immersed in a culture tackling the very political and economic issues discussed in their classrooms.

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Bangkok is home to approximately 12 million people. This sophisticated city is the political, social and economic center of Thailand. Its vibrancy attracts professionals from all over the world. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok's cosmopolitan skyline, blending modern office towers and historic religious shrines, expresses the adeptness of the Thai people to fuse the old with the new.

Webster University’s newly-designed Bangkok Academic Center is located at the Empire Tower in the heart of the city.  Convenient public transportation means students have the city of Bangkok and rest of Thailand at their fingertips.

As a top financial and political hub of Southeast Asia, Bangkok is an ideal place to learn about international affairs, including border issues and refugees.  Students have the opportunity to interact with key regional international organizations.

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Geneva, while a world-class international financial center, is often called the “Humanitarian Capital of the World.” This scenic Swiss city has the longest tradition of international cooperation and the greatest number of international organizations and conferences, including the International Committee for the Red Cross, the European seat of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the International Labor Organization. This spirit of international cooperation made Geneva an ideal place for Webster to open its first international campus near Lake Leman in 1978, just seven minutes by train from the city center. Today, more than 500 students representing 100 nationalities are enrolled.

Students take advantage of Geneva's key leadership position in humanitarian issues. Professional visits may include places such as the International Committee for the Red Cross and the United Nations Office in Geneva. Webster also hosts an annual Humanitarian Conference each spring.

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Located just 10 minutes from The Hague and 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train, Leiden is one of Holland's best-kept secrets. The Webster campus, founded in 1983, sits in the historic city center on a picturesque canal, with most of the student housing a short walk or bike ride from campus. Nearby Leiden University, which has nearly 20,000 students and staff, gives this cozy college town of 115,000 inhabitants a youthful, international flair. The proximity of Webster's Leiden campus to The Hague, which is home to many of the world's most important legal organizations, provides students with the opportunity to experience some of the world's highest criminal courts, such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

Students will also be within a few hours of train travel to the European capital of Brussels, Belgium. In addition, students have the opportunity to visit places such as the International Court of Arbitration and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

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Minutes from downtown St. Louis, Missouri, the Webster University main campus is nestled in Webster Groves, a charming and historic residential suburb. With Webster's commitment to small class sizes and abundance of events throughout the year, students have the opportunity to share in a rich educational experience. State-of-the-art academic buildings, architecturally significant structures that house various university departments, a modern library, and student center combine to create a picturesque learning environment.

The St. Louis campus is ideal for studying global political economy and security issues. This historic city is a base of operations for several multinational corporations with a global footprint, including Bayer-Monsanto, AB-INBEV, Emerson, Enterprise, and Boeing Defense, Space, and Security. The city boasts of a vibrant tech industry centered around the Cortex region and is home to one of the finest health care system in the nation. The campus hosts the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, a hub for human rights and social justice issues in the city and region. While St. Louis is known as the Gateway to the West; Webster University-St. Louis is your Gateway to the World. 

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Vienna is the capital and largest city in Austria with a population of about 1.7 million people. Often called “The City of Dreams” because it was home to psychologist Sigmund Freud, Vienna is the cultural, economic and political center of Austria. Generations of artists, students and connoisseurs of life have sought out Vienna for its inspirational art and architecture, parks and palaces, music and opera.

With students and faculty representing more than 60 countries, Webster University's Vienna campus offers a diverse forum for examining and understanding the complexities and processes involved in the relationships among institutions of international governance. Vienna's location at the crossroads of east and west exposes students to a variety of political cultures, helping them understand the differences in government systems across cultures and nations. In addition, faculty will lead visits to international organizations such as Vienna's campus is close the United Nations and OPEC.

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Webster began offering this innovative program in August of 2006. The Global MA in International Relations (GMAIR) program blends theory and practice, as students learn about international relations, and international and nongovernmental organizations while being immersed in four different countries as part of our global campus network.

Global MA students follow a pre-determined course schedule and order of campuses, spending terms in four different locations. Students travel in a cohort to four campuses in the following locations:

• Accra, Ghana;
• Athens, Greece;
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Geneva, Switzerland;
• Leiden, the Netherlands;
• St. Louis, the United States;
• Vienna, Austria; 

Students are able to complete the Global MA program in just 11 months because of the full-time, accelerated nature of the course offerings and program structure. At the host campuses, Webster's GMA students are integrated with local Webster University students and are taught by expert faculty. The GMA combines traditional classroom courses with important political, cultural, and historical site visits. The program also has a professional seminar component the provides students the professional and career advice.  

*This program may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or other global events. In the event of any program changes or cancellations prior or mid program, the university will notify applicants and students. Where possible, the university will provide alternative options.

 

This program is excellent for academically strong students who have a passion for international relations and/or possibly working for government, or an international or nongovernmental organization in the future; love to travel, experience new cultures and meet interesting people; are flexible, especially with change and a bit of ambiguity; self-disciplined; work well in groups (since you'll be traveling in a cohort); and have healthy ways to manage the inevitable stress of a rigorous global graduate program.

Global. Action Oriented. Academically Excellent. Student-Centered.

With its home campus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Webster University comprises an action-oriented global network of faculty, staff, students and alumni who forge powerful bonds with each other and with their communities around the globe. Founded in 1915, Webster is a private non-profit university with students studying at campus locations in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa and in a robust learning environment in a variety of modalities. The university is committed to ensuring high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.

Courses  offerings vary depending depending on cohort rotation; however all students will develop a breadth and depth of international relations that includes subjects such as:

• International Security
• International Organizations
• International Law
• International Political Economy
• Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues
• International Development
• Environmental Protection

Please visit the online Graduate Catalog for the curriculum and course description.

The program takes students beyond the textbooks and provide a first-hand glance at the practical world of international relations. Students will have many opportunities to visit various international institutions and organization such as the United Nations, OPEC, the EU Parliament, NATO, the International Criminal Court, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Students can also attend professional conferences and receptions allowing them to network and pursue career goals.

Global MA students  spend approximately 10 hours per week in class (and can expect to spend additional time  --approximately 20-30 hours--outside of class with prep work, reading, and research).

Each 3-credit-hour course meets four hours per week for nine weeks unless it is designated a hybrid with online and on-site visits. Many times, the courses are held once a week in the evening, although at certain locations, classes may be held during the day. The event and conference schedule will vary.

This program allows time for students to explore, travel, and experience cultures (and nightlife); however, students are expected to have the self-discipline to complete their studies. Hence, the appropriate budgeting of time is imperative.

 

For living accommodations in each study location, students will reside in a variety of student housing depending on the country. Each campus has several on-campus and off-campus housing options.

Accommodations are arranged for students by Webster staff on-site at each location. While we cannot guarantee identical housing for all students, there are certain standards and requirements for Global MA student housing. At all campuses, students will have single accommodations (or at least their own room), Internet access, and access to laundry and kitchen facilities.  In addition, all housing will be located within walking distance or with access to public transportation routes, for travel to and from each campus.

There are several student breaks throughout the academic year, where students will take the opportunity to do a variety of things. Some travel back home, especially during the winter break, to visit family and friends; others take the opportunity to travel and explore new cities and sites. When traveling some students travel alone, but many either travel with fellow Global students or with family and friends who might come to visit. There are many cost effective ways to travel, such as traveling on discount airlines in Europe, taking advantage of the extensive train systems in Europe and Asia, and staying in hostels.

Since housing between academic terms is not covered in the program cost, students are encouraged to research housing options that suit their individual needs during breaks. Breaks in between each 9-week term include one break in the winter, spring and summer. Academic breaks are usually one week long, except for winter break (late Dec - early Jan), which is about two weeks.

To alleviate the inconveniences of overweight baggage charges and traveling with heavy luggage during breaks, many students choose to ship some of their belongings to the next campus, whether by using the local post or FedEx in each location.

 

Yes! Webster offers a full-range of personalized services to Global MA students throughout the program, helping them to prepare for their professional lives. These services include one-on-one career counseling, as well as online seminars with career planning specialists at the Webster University Career Planning & Development Center, which are designed specifically for Global program students. The Webster Mentoring Program is also available to Global MA students who wish to get connected to a mentor who can offer real-world advice and guidance. 

The Global MA program cost for 2021-2022 is $46,600. The cost covers tuition (30 graduate credit hours), housing during each academic term (single occupancy), textbooks, on-site orientation, a mandatory study abroad fee that includes health insurance, an International Student ID card, a guide book for each country, and other pertinent pre-departure materials.

Webster University requires emergency international health insurance coverage, which is provided through HTH Worldwide. This coverage is mandatory for all participants in the program, and is arranged through the Office of Study Abroad. The total program cost will be divided equally over five terms and billed at three points throughout the year for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

Students are responsible for all airfare, visa fees, travel expenses throughout the program, housing between academic terms, food, personal expenses, which can vary dramatically based on a student's personal preferences and comfort levels. As a rough guide, Global MA students can plan to spend on average $20,000 to $25,000 throughout the year for these expenses.

 

Yes! Students should apply for financial aid after January 1, and after they have been accepted. Students must complete both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Webster University Graduate Financial Aid form, which can be found at the following links:

• http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• https://www.webster.edu/financialaid/how-to-apply/
• Note: Webster University's FAFSA school code is 002521.
  

Financial assistance from Webster University is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are degree-seeking students at Webster. Webster students retain all federal, state and institutional financial aid while overseas. Most Global MA students also apply for Graduate PLUS loans to help finance the full cost of the program. Students who qualify for the maximum amount for both federal and GradPLUS loans have most, if not all, they need to finance the program.

Webster undergraduate students, who qualify for the Grad to Grad Program, may use their scholarship towards this program. For further information regarding this program, please contact Graduate Admissions. We highly encourage students to seek opportunities for outside sources of funding by creating a student profile on www.fastweb.com.

For additional questions or to schedule an appointment with your financial aid counselor, contact the Financial Aid Office at 314-968-6992 or 1-800-983-4623. Comprehensive financial aid information is also available at the Financial Aid Office.

 

The $46,600 program cost, which includes tuition, books, housing, and insurance is an incredibly good price. Webster’s Global MA program is suitable for people who have the personal resources or can access the right about of private aid and government loans through the FAFSA in order to afford the program and travel costs of studying around the world.  Please contact Sheryl Rowden, the financial aid counselor for the Global MA for details about what is available through the FAFSA to graduate students.

For information about private scholarships applicants are encouraged to explore free searchable databases. These include:

• Fastweb: www.fastweb.com 
• Sallie Mae Scholarship Search: https://www.salliemae.com/student-loans/graduate-school-information/graduate-school-scholarships/ 
• Unigo: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/graduate-students/scholarships-for-masters-degree 

The skills, experiences and contacts you develop in the program will make you an excellent candidate for INGO, government, humanitarian, and non-profit positions, to name a few. Of course, it is up to you to take advantage of your surroundings and make the most of these opportunities.

Many of our graduates from the Global MA in International Relations have had success stories, including internships at the U.S. Department of State, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; and jobs with a wide variety of governmental and non-governmental organizations, including the UN High Commission of Refugees, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the United Nations Environment Program, Chemonics International Inc. (a development consulting firm), and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

There is an initial program deposit. The total amount required for the deposit is $2100. (Note: The deposit is part of the overall program cost, not an addition to it, and is later applied to the student's tuition bill.) Admitted students must submit a $500 partial deposit to the Office of Admission by March 15 to secure their place in the fall cohort. Students will receive a reminder notice for the remaining $1600, which will be due by May 15. (Please note: We will still accept the initial deposit after April 1. Accepted students must let us know their intentions to join the fall cohort by submitting the entire deposit by May 15.) Please note that the program does have a maximum number of students and could fill prior to the March 15 deadline. The only way to secure a spot is by submitting a deposit.

The initial and final deposits are non-refundable after May 1.

Accepted students can make checks or money orders payable to Webster University and mail to:

Webster University
Office of Admission
Re: Global MA Program
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119-3141

We can also accept your deposit online.

Submit Global MA program deposit 

 

The application deadline is March 1st, or until the class is filled, to start in the August (Fall I) term later that same year.

Steps to apply:

1. Log in or create an account to begin a graduate application: https://applywu.webster.edu/apply/ 
2. When asked to choose a program on the "Graduate Academic Plans" section in the application, please select "St. Louis Home Campus" in Location and "Global International Relations (GMA) in Programs.
3. During the application, you will be asked to submit two recommendations that speak to the applicant's motivation, character and ability to be successful in an intensive, 11-month graduate program that requires significant travel.
   1. One letter should come from a former or current professor.
   2. Recommenders can type or copy/paste a letter into the box they are provided.
   3. Recommendation letters should be written in narrative form.
4. Submit your complete application and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee.
5. Order your official degree conferred transcript to be sent to us directly from the school that granted your bachelor's degree. Please also order transcripts for any graduate work or degree you've completed. Electronically is the fastest way to send your transcripts.
   1. If your school sends them directly, they can email it to transcripts@webster.edu (please note the plural).
   2. We also accept electronic transcripts from secure third-party services such as National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, Escript-Safe, etc.
   3. If your school does not participate in an electronic secure service, please mail your transcripts to:
      Webster University
      Office of Admission
      470 E. Lockwood Ave.
      St. Louis, MO 63119
6. By logging into your application file, you can then upload your required resume or CV.

Students can see more detailed admission requirements here.

**International students, or non-U.S. applicants, should also review the International Student Admission web page for additional requirements they need to submit and more important information.