Upon successful completion of the Master of Arts in International Studies, students will be able to:

• analyze the roles, responsibilities and interests of states and non-state actors at local, national, regional and global levels
• synthesize theoretical and factual knowledge with quantitative/qualitative research to produce high-quality written material
• employ an interdisciplinary perspective to analyze key international issues and identify critical areas of concern
• apply advanced oral communication skills to relay accurate information and explain complex ideas and concepts
• evaluate disparate points of view to design effective, ethical and sustainable solutions to global challenges

Applicants who meet the general university requirements for graduate admission but have not completed undergraduate level courses on globalization, imperialism, global political economy or international organizations may be required to complete remedial courses offered through the Department of International Studies at AUS or an accredited institution recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division. The undergraduate remedial course does not generate credit hours towards completion of the degree program graduation requirements. Students required to complete the remedial course are normally not eligible to register for degree program courses prior to successful completion of these courses.

Required Courses (18 credit hours)

Students must successfully complete all the required courses, for a total of 18 credit hours, including a six-credit-hour master’s thesis.

• INS 501 Advanced International Affairs
• INS 503 Research Methods
• INS 505 Theory and Practice of Leadership
• INS 507 Conflict Resolution

Master’s Thesis (6 credit hours)

• INS 699 Master’s Thesis

Elective Courses (12 credit hours)

Students must successfully complete a minimum of four elective courses (for a minimum of 12 credit hours). Students select their elective courses from the following list of courses, in consultation with their advisor:

• INS 511 Advanced International Security
• INS 513 Topics in Global Affairs
• INS 515 Environmental Ethics
• INS 517 Global Migration
• INS 519 Advanced Social Theory
• INS 521 Women’s and Minority Rights
• INS 523 Civil Wars in History
• INS 525 Law, Politics and International Crime
• INS 527 Contemporary MENA Politics and the World
• INS 529 The Transnational Gulf
• INS 531 Governing Environmental Sustainability: Theories and Practices
• INS 694 Approved Special Topics in INS