Program Overview

Overview of the Online Master of Arts in International Affairs and Leadership

The Online Master of Arts in International Affairs and Leadership is a program designed to prepare students for careers in international affairs, while also building character-driven leadership skills. The program is offered by Arizona State University and is taught by an all-practitioner faculty of distinguished leaders with extensive experience in the fields they teach.

Program Details

• The program consists of 10 classes, each lasting 7.5 weeks, and requires a total of 30 credit hours to complete.
• The program includes three core courses, a capstone, and various electives, allowing students to choose courses that align with their interests.
• Topics that can be explored include global human rights, collaborations and issues in the Western Hemisphere, today's global economy, and more.

Core Courses

• Applied International Leadership: Case Studies: This course engages students with faculty and peers in multiple in-depth applied leadership scenarios, examining various aspects of leadership in international settings.
• Principles of Character-Driven Leadership: This course covers the core concepts of character-driven leadership, defined as the commitment to do the right thing, the right way, and for the right reasons.
• The Making of U.S. National Security Policy: This course teaches students about the origins and current structure of America's national security architecture, using real policy decisions to exercise the process of analysis, decision-making, and translating into action elements of the country's national security agenda.

Elective Courses

• Diplomacy - Preventing Genocide: This course focuses on the role of diplomacy and "soft power" in preventing war crimes, atrocities, crimes against humanity, and ultimately genocide.
• Foreign Policy and National Security Law: This foundational course studies the intersection of foreign policy decision-making and the federal and international laws that govern national security issues confronting the United States.
• Human Rights and Realpolitik: This course explores the role of states and other actors in today's international system in protecting — or not — human beings throughout the world.
• Intelligence and National Security: This course teaches students about the different types of intelligence and explores the evolution of today's intelligence community under the auspices of the director of national intelligence.
• International Negotiations – Trust but Verify: This course teaches students how to negotiate cross-cultural international agreements through reality-based exercises.

Career Opportunities

• The program prepares students for careers in a broad range of international affairs fields, including:
  • Foreign service officers (diplomats)
  • Human rights activists and defenders
  • International businesspersons
  • International development and foreign aid experts
  • International organization officials
  • Military officers
  • National security and intelligence professionals
  • NGO experts
  • Refugee officers

Faculty and Networking Opportunities

• The program's all-practitioner faculty includes noted experts and leaders in national security affairs, such as Lieutenant Generals, Professors, and U.S. Ambassadors.
• Students have opportunities for hands-on and experiential learning, including a week-long experience in Washington D.C., collaboration with foreign students, independent research, internships, study abroad, and weekly Zoom sessions.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program or in an applicable master's program.
• All applicants must submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal statement
  • Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume
  • Writing sample
• The GRE is not required but can be submitted to provide additional information to the admissions committee.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• The program offers a tuition calculator to estimate full-time or part-time tuition fees prior to any financial aid.
• Most students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Conclusion

The Online Master of Arts in International Affairs and Leadership at Arizona State University is a comprehensive program that prepares students for careers in international affairs while building character-driven leadership skills. With its all-practitioner faculty, hands-on learning opportunities, and flexible curriculum, this program is ideal for those seeking to make a global impact in a variety of roles.