MA in International Affairs and Leadership Arizona State University

This online program establishes a dynamic and active learning environment led by senior international affairs professionals from the public and private sectors. Drawing on ASU’s extensive academic capacity provides students a distinctive edge to succeed in the full spectrum of international affairs professions.

Students will also benefit from a week-long in-person experience in Washington D.C. during their first semester in the program, allowing them direct access to the professionals and institutions involved in U.S. foreign affairs.

Degree Overview

Graduates of the program will be prepared for this complex international environment through extensive exposure to topics such as foreign policy, national security, international trade, human rights issues, and character-driven leadership. The program will utilize the unique expertise of former ambassadors and leading experts to teach the classes as well as to guide students of the program as they either enter or continue in the workforce.

Graduates of the program will be able to pursue a variety of careers such as foreign service officers, special and tactical military officers, security analysts, non-profit coordinators, business operations specialists, international economists, and public policy analysts.

The program offers a unique blend of leadership capacity development, both theory and practice, foreign policy decision-making, regional international affairs knowledge, and key global issues training.

• Coursework focuses on current challenges and future trends.
• Classes are led by top foreign policy and national security experts who have vast experience developing policy and leading programs.
• The program stresses practical applications and case studies of international affairs issues, and hands-on experience.

This program is not cohort-based, which means you can choose to take one or more courses as your schedule permits. You’ll complete unique courses to develop your vision and skills as a character-driven leader in your career and community. Courses focus on international themes for the future and regional issues in key global areas. Electives are taught by former ambassadors and policy managers with deep practical experience in both strategic diplomacy and grassroots engagement in a variety of cultures.

• Principles of Character-Driven Leadership
• The Making of U.S. National Security Policy
• Applied International Leadership: Case Studies
• Capstone
• U.S. Diplomacy in Action – the Embassy Country Team
• The Modern Global Economy: Dollars and Sense
• Transatlantic Relations: Does Europe Still Matter?
• Western Hemisphere: Good Neighbors, Tough Challenges
• Human Rights and Realpolitik
• Setting a Global Counterterrorism Agenda
• Transnational Challenges – Combatting Human Trafficking
• Special Topic Courses
• Elective Internship

Degree Requirements

Required Core (9 credit hours)

• IAL 501 Principles of Character-Driven Leadership (3)
• IAL 502 The Making of U.S. National Security Policy (3)
• IAL 503 Applied International Leadership: Case Studies (3)

Electives (18 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)

• IAL 560 Capstone (3)

What can I do with a master’s in international affairs?

All students enrolled in the Master of Arts in international affairs and leadership have access to faculty mentors who will help them pursue follow-on fellowships, degree programs, and job opportunities following graduation. As a graduate with an international affairs master’s degree, you’ll be able to pursue a variety of careers, such as:

• Business operations specialists.
• Foreign service officers.
• International political economists.
• National and intelligence security analysts.
• Non-profit coordinators.
• Public policy analysts.
• Special and tactical military officers.