Graduate Learning Outcomes

International studies offers a traditional Master of Arts (MA) degree program that includes coursework and a thesis. We also offer the Masters International-Peace Corps (MI-PC) degree that combines coursework, an applied research project and Peace Corps volunteer service. All graduate students are required to take courses in international relations theory and social research methodology, both of which emphasize critical thinking skills.

Students in the MA program anticipate their thesis research prior to completing 26 hours of coursework and, with the help of a thesis committee, prepare a research prospectus. The prospectus will: pose a significant research question; devise an appropriate research design; outline the means to gather and analyze information to answer the question; and anticipate the evaluation of their work within standard scholarly guidelines.

Students pursuing the MI-PC degree take 24 hours of coursework for a minimum of two semesters and participate in a 27-month service period involving a Peace Corps project overseas. They form a research committee prior to entering Peace Corps Volunteer Service and, while overseas, plan an applied research project resulting in a final paper that is presented to their committee at the conclusion of their Peace Corps service. In addition to the academic training required of all graduate students in our program, MI-PC graduates:

Gain significant experience abroad with project-based work and cross-cultural experiences;
Receive technical training as part of their Peace Corps field assignment; and
Acquire or enhance second language skills and use this language on a daily basis.

All students who graduate with a Master’s degree in international studies will be able to:

Engage in independent empirical inquiry that makes an original contribution to the field of study;
Think critically and reason logically about a problem and the ways it can be answered;
Employ the best recognized methods appropriate to their research;
Effectively develop alternative explanations, use theories and concepts to guide the research project, and conduct the work in such a way that disproof is possible; and
Present their work intelligently, with both written and oral capability at a level of professional expectations.

and will have a broad understanding of:

international affairs;
the diversity of national cultures and social structures;
political and economic systems;
major global trends and problems.