International Affairs, International Security and Peace Studies, M.A.

Admission Requirements

Admission decisions will be made after reviewing all materials and determining the applicant’s capacity, suitability, and preparation for graduate study.

Admission decisions are based upon consideration of a number of criteria which are believed to indicate a high potential in the graduate program.

Admission to the Master of Arts in International Affairs with a concentration in International Security and Peace Studies program requires

1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, including at least 18 hours of undergraduate courses in political science, international relations, or related disciplines (including, for example, courses in international relations theory, research methods, and comparative politics);
2. a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all college work taken;
3. satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Application deadline: Applications for Summer/Fall admission must be complete by March 31, and applications for Spring admission must be complete by October 1. Late applicants who meet the admission criteria may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicant must

1. submit application with appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
2. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
3. submit three (3) letters of recommendation from professors or professionals that address the applicant’s potential to successfully complete a master’s program in International Affairs;
4. submit a statement of interest stating reason for applying to the program, academic interest, and professional goals.

Submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores is optional.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in International Affairs with a concentration in International Security and Peace Studies requires completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours.

Candidate must

1. complete at least 36 semester hours of graduate-level, designated courses in international affairs, with at least 70 percent of the hours at the 6000 level;
2. successfully pass a comprehensive examination;
3. fulfill a foreign language requirement in any of the following ways:
   1. complete 12 undergraduate semester hours in one foreign language;
   2. earn at least a C grade in any upper-division undergraduate foreign language course taught in the language and requiring translation;
   3. pass a written examination in the language administered by World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures ;
   4. earn a grade of B or better in GERM 5990, FREN 5990, or SPAN 5990; or
   5. complete a three-month intensive language program in an accredited foreign language institute with passing certification.

Curriculum: International Affairs, International Security and Peace Studies

The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Program Notes

Candidate must

1. file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.