Master of Global Affairs

The learning outcomes of the MGA degree listed below are based on those in the recently adopted accreditation standard of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the most highly recognized association in the field. The five NASPAA learning outcomes are modified to reflect the different focus of the MGA and the related AUC learning outcomes.

Students enrolled in this program will be equipped to:

• Analyze and think critically about the substance, processes and governance of global affairs in diverse settings.
• Contribute to global affairs processes from various perspectives.
• Develop sound and effective strategies to address global affairs challenges and participate in their implementation.
• Understand the ethical issues involved in global affairs and have the capability to incorporate these concerns into all programming phases.
• Communicate and interact productively with diverse global interlocutors and navigate between global and domestic concerns.

Bachelor’s degree from accredited university, acceptable GPA, English proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS), two recommendation letters, personal statement

Courses (33 credit hours)

Students seeking the degree of Master of Global Affairs must complete 33 credit hours of coursework plus a master’s project. The program core, required of all students, consists of 6 courses (18 credits). Students must also complete a concentration of 5 courses (15 credits). Students may elect either the concentration in International Security or the concentration in International Cooperation. Students are required to declare their concentration before beginning their second semester of enrollment in the program. In addition to coursework, students must complete a master’s project consistent with department and university guidelines.

Core Requirement (18 credit hours):
Students must complete four (4) courses in group 1, one (1) course in group 2, and one (1) course in group 3.

Group 1: Complete all four (4) of the following:
PPAD 527/5251 – International Organization in Global Governance (3 cr.)
PPAD 528/5252 – Theory and Practice of Negotiation (3 cr.)
PPAD 540/5161 – Diplomacy: Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
PPAD 506/5111 – Essentials of Public Policy and Administration (3 cr.)
Group 2: Complete one (1) of the following:
PPAD 524/5129 – Globalization and Development (3 cr.)
PPAD 529/5151 – Issues in International Security (3 cr.)
LAW 509/5209 – International Law (3 cr.)
Group 3: Complete one (1) of the following:
PPAD 502/5231 – Economics for Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
POLS 561/5261 – Public Policy and Development (3 cr.)
PPAD 508/5211 – Qualitative Analysis for Policy and Administration (3 cr.)
PPAD 509/5212 – Applied Quantitative Analysis (3 cr.)
PPAD 500/5201 – Research Methods for Public Policy and Administration (3 cr.)
PPAD 542/5159 – Islam and Global Affairs (3 cr.)
Concentration Requirement (15 credit hours):
Students must complete 5 courses in one of the following two areas. In addition to the courses shown for each concentration, students may select a course from the core list shown above as a Group 2 concentration course, if not taken as a core course (i.e., a course may be counted toward only one requirement) or, with advisor approval, may substitute an appropriate offering of PPAD 5199 – Selected Topics in Public Policy and Administration.

MGA Concentration 1: International Security – 5 courses (15 credits) required
Group 1: Required for all students in the concentration
PPAD 530/5152 – International Intervention and Conflict Management (3 cr.)
PPAD 539/5258 – Role of Force: Strategy and Statecraft (3 cr.)
Group 2: Complete one (1) of the following:
PPAD 531/5153 – Armament, Arms Control and Disarmament (3 cr.)
PPAD 532/5154 – Issues in Regional Security with Special Emphasis on the Middle East (3 cr.)
POLS 554/5254 – Comparative Foreign Policy: Theories and Applications (3 cr.)
PPAD 591/5198 – Practicum (3 cr.)
PPAD 529/5151 – Issues in International Security (3 cr.)
PPAD 543/5160 – War, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam (3 cr.)
Group 3:
Complete two (2) additional relevant courses (other than PPAD 5298 and PPAD 5299; selected in consultation with departmental advisor.

MGA Concentration 2: Policies and Practices in International Co-operation and Development – 5 courses (15 credits) required
Group 1: Required for all students in concentration
PPAD 533/5155 – Governance of the Global Economy (3 cr.)
POLS 525/5225 – International Political Economy (3 cr.)
Group 2: Complete one (1) of the following:
PPAD 516/5132 – Social and Environmental Policy (3 cr.)
PPAD 534/5156 – International Policies for Development (3 cr.)
PPAD 535/5157 – Multilateral Cooperation for Development at the Country Level: Issues and Practice (3 cr.)
PPAD 591/5198 – Practicum (3 cr.)
PPAD 000/5225 – Regionalism and Regional Integration (3 cr.)
Group 3:
Complete two (2) additional relevant courses (other than PPAD 5298 and PPAD 5299 ; selected in consultation with departmental advisor).

Capstone Project
Students must complete a capstone project that addresses an issue or a challenge in global affairs with relevance to their concentration. The project should be directed towards an external client engaged in this issue. If a member of the client’s staff is not available, the client role may be performed by an alternate designated by the department. The preparation of the capstone project plan and final report must comply with departmental guidelines with regard to client involvement, content, format, and dates. Once the project plan is approved by the supervisor and/ or the client , the student will enroll in PPAD 5293, the capstone project, where they will complete the necessary components per the departmental guidelines and client’s specification. The capstone project may be completed as a group or individual project with client and faculty permission.