Masters Degrees in International Relations, France

Program Overview

The M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy at the American Graduate School in Paris is a two-year program qualifying you for a broad range of careers in international affairs, from local governance to foreign affairs, to international development, human rights advocacy, global communications, international business, and many other areas involving interaction with different countries and cultures.


:A US-accredited Program in France:

The M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS combines the wide recognition of an American degree with the unique experience of a Paris-based program. It is accredited in the US as an affiliated program of Arcadia University (Pennsylvania) and taught at the American Graduate School in Paris, a private nonprofit institution of higher education recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education.

Classes are taught in the heart of Paris. The French capital – which is also one of Europe’s capitals and an international hub – is an ideal location for the study of international affairs. The program takes full advantage of this through guest speakers, site visits, and networking events. These all represent opportunities to get exposed to the international scene and make connections with the many diplomatic missions, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs that the city hosts.

The language of instruction is English; no knowledge of French is required to enroll. You have the opportunity to learn French through AGS’s partner institution Alliance Française Paris-Ile de France.


:Expertise in International Affairs:

The program draws on AGS’s specific expertise in the field of international relations, in which the school has specialized since it was founded in 1994. At the core of this expertise, the faculty of the program is comprised of both accomplished scholars conducting research at the forefront of their discipline, and practitioners sharing their knowledge and professional experience, such as retired Ambassadors or government officials.

See AGS faculty - http://www.ags.edu/about-ags/faculty

The curriculum strikes a careful balance between academic thoroughness and practice-oriented approaches to fully prepare you for the professional arena. It examines the interaction between State and non-State actors at an international level through a multi-disciplinary scope covering political as well as cultural, historical, economic, geographical, social, legal, and humanitarian aspects, all updated to include the most current international issues.

Required courses cover the core subjects of international relations theory, economic policy, international public law, foreign policy formulation, and methodology. A broad rage of electives is available to explore other areas of international affairs such as NGO management, environment policy, gender issues, geopolitics, conflict resolution, and area studies.

See course catalog - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/graduate-course-catalog


:A Multicultural Learning Environment:

A unique aspect of the program is the diversity of perspectives infused in the classroom, with students as well as faculty coming from many different national origins. This combined with the American-style interactive teaching methods, makes for an enriching and mind-opening class experience.


:Master’s thesis:

The program culminates in the completion of a Master’s thesis. Through the in-depth research and writing involved in the thesis process you will form a specialization in an area of your interest, as well as strengthen your ability to plan and complete a substantial project.

The thesis topic is elaborated in coordination with the Academic Committee and faculty advisors based on your area of interest and professional objectives.


:Foreign Policy component:

You may choose to include a foreign policy component in your thesis. This exercise will offer you the opportunity to apply the international relation theories and methods learned to construct new solutions to current international problems, thus leading to concrete solutions supported by solid academic research.

Degree Requirements

In order to obtain the degree of Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy, you must meet the following conditions:

- Successful completion of the curriculum (42 credits) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (See curriculum details - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/curriculum)
- Pre-intermediate level of French language by graduation (1 on the ALTE scale, A2 on the CEF scale French Language Proficiency Level Scale - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/master-in-international-relations/798-french-language-proficiency-level-scale).
- Note : to help you meet this requirement, AGS offers optional French language courses with its partner institution Alliance Française Paris-Ile de France (more information here - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/optional-french-language-courses).
- Research and writing of a 25,000 to 35,000-word thesis complying with the academic standards set forth by the school.

Program options

A range of options allows you to tailor the program around your particular interests and career objectives.


:Internship:

While in the Master’s program, you have the opportunity to perform an internship in a Paris-based organization: diplomatic/consular mission, intergovernmental organization, NGO, multinational corporation news media outlet or another type of relevant international institution.

Internships are optional and can be pursued either for credit (then counting as a an elective course in the curriculum) or not-for-credit. In all cases, you may benefit from AGS’s guidance and support for internship placement. (Note that in all cases, the student is ultimately responsible for finding his/her internship.)


:Area concentrations:

You may specialize in a particular sector of international affairs and obtain, in addition to your M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy, a Certificate of Concentration in your area of specialization. The requirements for this option consist of elective courses in the said area, directed readings, comprehensive exams, and an area-focused thesis.

Area Concentrations Available include:

- African Studies
- Asian Studies
- Middle Eastern Studies


:Dual degree options:

A number of dual program options with partner universities allow you to earn a second degree in a complementary discipline in addition to your US-accredited M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy:

- European accredited Master in Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiation (with Université Paris-Sud, Sceaux, France): more information here - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/dual-program-in-international-relations-diplomacy-and-strategic-negotiation

- European accredited LL.M. in French and European Union Law and Business Ethics (with Université de Cergy-Pontoise, France): more information here - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/dual-program-in-international-relations-and-international-law

US-accredited M.A. in Peace and Conflict Resolution (with Arcadia University, USA): more information here - http://www.ags.edu/dual-programs/international-relations-and-diplomacy-international-peace-and-conflict-resolution


:International opportunities:

You may spend one of the semesters of the M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy program abroad, studying at one of AGS's partner institutions while earning credits toward your AGS degree. Options include the United States (Arcadia University) and Italy (University of Siena). You may also spend the summer at UC Berkeley Extension, completing an additional module in leadership and management.

See more information - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/international-opportunities


:Combined M.A.-Ph.D. program:

AGS offers a combined M.A.-Ph.D. program per the American model. The combined M.A.-Ph.D. program allows you to credit the required courses toward both degrees simultaneously. Ph.D. candidates having successfully completed their M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS would therefore be exempt from taking the required courses, and would only have to take seven elective courses for the Ph.D. program. Note that admission into the Ph.D. program is not automatic after obtaining the M.A.

Timeframe options

Full-time two-year track: the program is designed to be completed in two years on a full-time basis, involving nine to twelve hours of classes per week in addition to readings, assignments, and the research and writing of the thesis.

Accelerated 18-month intensive track: You have the option to complete the program in three semesters instead of four. You would then be required to take twelve to fifteen hours of classes per week.

Part-time track: EU students and other students who do not need to be enrolled on a full-time basis for visa purposes may undertake the program over a longer period of time on a part-time basis. This allows working professionals and other interested candidates to combine the program with other activities.

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The American Graduate School in Paris and Arcadia University jointly offer an accelerated Dual Masters program allowing students to earn two US-accredited Master’s degrees in three years:

- A Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS
- A Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution at Arcadia University - https://www.arcadia.edu

Each program followed individually normally extends over two years, which would make a total of four years to earn the two degrees separately. Thanks to curricula combinations, the accelerated dual program allows students to earn both degrees in three years.

Students in this program spend three semesters in Paris, France, at the American Graduate School in Paris, and three semesters in the United States, at Arcadia University, in the greater Philadelphia area. They may choose to start the program at either of the two institutions. Each portion of the program provides a different cultural and academic experience, while both have in common a challenging and student-dedicated learning environment.

The knowledge and skills acquired during this two-fold program can be applied to a vast array of fields in government, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs): human rights, diplomacy, international law, humanitarian relief, environmental policymaking, sustainable development, and conflict management, among others. They are also highly transferrable to international business and other professional areas involving interaction at the international level.

Why this dual program?

The objectives of combining these two programs into one are:

- To provide an extended cross-cultural experience contributing to the students’ ability to work in diverse international environments
- To foster global and social awareness through a comprehensive graduate program in international affairs
- To develop a multidisciplinary perspective and varied methods of understanding of world affairs
- To offer students a broader range of career options in government, IGOs, NGOs and international business

Description of the M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy

The curriculum of the M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy teaches the cornerstone theories that explain interactions between countries, and also examines current world affairs through the various lenses of international relations: political, diplomatic, economic, environmental, cultural, and social. A range of area electives supplements this global approach allowing each student to gear the program towards his or her field of interest and professional goals.

Courses take place at AGS in Paris. They are taught in English and follow the American system of higher education while taking advantage of the school’s location in France, with guest speakers and visits to embassies, international organizations headquartered in Paris and European Union institutions. No knowledge of French language is necessary to attend. Students have the opportunity to take French courses along with the program (see more information here - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/optional-french-language-courses)

Small seminar-style classrooms allow for close dialogue with professors and offer a forum for debate. The students and faculty in the program come from diverse national backgrounds, each adding a different perspective to the subjects taught.

See full M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy program description page on this website - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/master-in-international-relations


Description of the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) -

The International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) degree offers an innovative curriculum giving students a sophisticated understanding of today’s international issues by bridging the various sub-disciplines of this emerging field: human rights, international law and organizations, mediation and conflict transformation, public health issues, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

The coursework provides strong theoretical and analytical foundations and is complemented with hands-on experiences, including travels to key sites of the history of international conflict, and an internship allowing students to gain professional practice while developing a network of useful contacts.

Courses take place at Arcadia University in the United States, in Glenside, in the greater Philadelphia area (Pennsylvania). The faculty and staff at the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Department are committed to addressing the individual needs of each student, and work closely with them to make every component of the program fit their interests and career goals.

See full IPCR program description page on the Arcadia University website - http://www.arcadia.edu/academic/default.aspx?id=1093

Graduation Requirements

In order to complete the dual degree program and graduate with the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and the M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy, students are required to successfully complete 65-68 graduate credit-hours. See section on curriculum. Degree requirements include a Capstone Seminar at Arcadia University, as well as the completion and defense of a 25,000- to 35,000-word Master’s thesis at The American Graduate School in Paris.

See also:

Curriculum - http://www.ags.edu/dual-programs/international-relations-and-diplomacy-international-peace-and-conflict-resolution-curriculum

How to Apply - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/admissions/applying/double-degree-programs

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Schiller International University’s Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy offer students the opportunity to become agents of change in international relations. This rigorous master’s program, hosted at our Paris, Heidelberg, Madrid, Tampa Bay, and Distance Learning Campuses, challenges students to develop an in-depth understanding of international affairs and international diplomacy. Graduates can move on to careers in government, business, journalism, and more.

Applicants to this program must have foreign language skills to at least an intermediate level, along with considerable prior coursework in international relations and politics. See the course catalog for complete admissions requirements.
The curriculum of our MA in International Relations and Diplomacy covers subject areas such as:
-Peace, conflict, and negotiations
-International economics
-International law
-Human rights
-Trade, resources, and international business

Students analyze current issues in the field within their historical and cultural contexts, producing research-based writing, participating in debates, and gaining practical training in negotiation and mediation of conflicts. The program’s various locations, in the heart of international activity, offers students ample opportunity for enrichment.

The Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy is an academic program that prepares students not only for careers in the foreign service, in intergovernmental organizations, or international businesses, but also in such fields as journalism, non-governmental watchdogs or NGOs, foreign policy think tanks and academic research. The program combines problem solving, structural analysis, project development and management with a comprehensive theoretical and critical examination of the political, cultural, legal, and socioeconomic practices that make up our increasingly interdependent and complex world.

Because the political and economic problems central to foreign relations today invariably transcend national boundaries, the international agenda encompasses technological, religious, ethno-linguistic, and humanitarian concerns, as well as the more traditional area of diplomatic activity. Drawing from multiple fields including finance, law, history, philosophy, and theology, this program is decidedly interdisciplinary.

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An American M.A. and a European Master's degree in Two Years

While working toward the Master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS, students may undertake a second degree program in Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiation, and simultaneously earn two Master's degrees over the course of two years:

- A U.S.-accredited M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy
- A Europe-accredited Master's degree in Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiation

This double-degree program is offered by AGS in partnership with French University Paris Sud (Sceaux).

Description of the Dual Program

:M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy:

All information on the Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy program can be found here.


:Master in Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiation at Université Paris Sud:

- The objective of the Master's program at UPS is to provide students with the necessary practical tools and abilities to develop strategies of negotiation in diplomacy, which can be applied to both the public and the private sector.
- The Master's program at UPS has a dual focus: French and European Diplomacy, and Negotiation.
- The coursework consists of negotiation working groups, occasional guest speakers, and a simulation trip conducted with the participation of an international organization.

Read a student's account of an end-of-year simulation trip - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/degree-programs/dual-program-in-international-relations-diplomacy-and-strategic-negotiation/799-a-students-account-of-an-end-of-year-simulation-trip


:Organization of the Dual Program:

AGS students are accepted into the UPS program if they have fulfilled the two following conditions:

- Being in good academic standing at AGS, with a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
- Having reached an intermediate level of French by admission into the UPS program.

Students in this dual program complete the full M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy curriculum at AGS, and follow additional courses at UPS along with the AGS coursework during two of the four semesters of the program.

- Courses at AGS are taught in English. Courses at UPS are taught in French, though assignments can be written in English.
- The Master's program at UPS lasts one year, and starts in the second or third semester of the AGS Master's program, which allows students to acquire the necessary proficiency in French.
- The coursework at UPS consists of part-time classes scheduled throughout the year in a way that is compatible with the AGS courseload, and an end-of-year simulation trip that usually takes place at the end of April. Additional field trips or other special projects support the program.
- AGS courses are held at AGS, on boulevard Raspail in Paris, and UPS courses are held at the UPS campus in Sceaux, 20 minutes from Paris.

Note: AGS offers this dual program in partnership with Université de Paris Sud . AGS is not responsible for the operations and contents of the Master in Diplomacy and Strategic Negociation part of this dual program, which remain under the sole responsibility of the partner institution.

More

More information on the partnership between AGS and UPS - http://www.ags.edu/about-ags/partnerships#paris-sud-11

Tuition - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/admissions/tuition/double-degree-programs

Applying - http://www.ags.edu/international-relations/admissions/applying/double-degree-programs

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Diplomacy and international law are critical components in addressing issues of seminal public concern. As populations flee repressive regimes and political issues have ramifications beyond any one state’s borders, the need for real-world solutions and the leaders who can implement them is paramount.

AUP’s Masters in Diplomacy and International Law aims to achieve concrete results, using the respective tools of each discipline to prepare you to develop real-world solutions. This interdisciplinary program will enable you to think critically about complex diplomatic and international legal issues in real contexts. By applying theory to practice, you will address some of the key questions facing public and non-governmental institutions around the world, such as ‘Why do states participate in international institutions that promote global cooperation?’ or ‘How do states and institutions interact when cooperation breaks down and conflict ensues?’

Gain a Global and Interdisciplinary Perspective

With increasing global interdependence, hard distinctions between foreign and domestic policy no longer exist. The Master’s program capitalizes on its location in the heart of Europe to train future public leaders to tackle today’s most pressing issues from an international perspective. The goal is to produce strong analytical thinkers and practitioners ready to be of service across cultures and national boundaries. Coursework in diplomacy and international law includes elements of international relations, economics, law, and political science to examine the problems of our day—and search for the best way to administer and manage innovative solutions. You will develop expertise in negotiation, strategic diplomatic thinking, and legal analysis to support your next career step.

Unprecedented Access to Prestigious Program Partners

A core component of the Master’s program in Diplomacy and International Law is the opportunity to work with our prestigious partners, applying classroom theory to challenging practical environments:
-Students in the MA program partner with the French War College in the annual Coalition Exercise, a polyvalent simulation of a military intervention during a humanitarian crisis. AUP students join the more than 500 officers and diplomatic participants to play the role of UN and international NGO humanitarian aid workers on the ground in a conflict zone, elaborating a humanitarian aid plan that provides relief to the tens of thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire.
-You will also earn a certificate from the University of Oxford International Human Rights Law Summer Program. Preparation for the certificate includes a practicum on international justice at The Hague, where you will engage in trial reporting and briefings with high level experts.
-As part of the MA in Diplomacy and International Law program you will participate in exciting, interactive modules with leading experts and practitioners from some of today’s most engaged NGOs.

Ensure your Professional Impact

Whether in the public or private sector, professionals need to be international and transnational in their outlook and vision. AUP’s MA in Diplomacy in International Law prepares you for exciting career paths to effect real change.

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The Master of Arts in International Affairs (MIN) takes full advantage of Paris’s multicultural dimensions and central role in international economics, politics, and social issues. The program’s balance of intellectual and theoretical mastery with hands-on, project-based learning prepares you for a successful professional life.

The MA in International Affairs provides:
-The opportunity to earn an American master’s degree in France.
-A mix of practical and theoretical knowledge of international affairs, conflict resolution, and civil society development.
-A global network to launch a career in the NGO sector or with an international institution, national government, or multinational corporation.

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

The linguistic and cultural diversity of our student body is one of our biggest strengths—and the perfect community in which to study international affairs. Students in the program come from educational institutions from across the world, having earned the equivalent of a BA degree in International Affairs or a closely related field—and from the working worlds of international institutions, NGOs, and policy making.

We offer the option to follow either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course of study. Students in the one-year program immerse themselves fully in their studies and finish the program faster. The two-year program allows Paris-based professionals the chance to invest in their futures while keeping their jobs.

Both programs offer the same rigorous curriculum with students achieving the same rewarding learning goals.

Challenging course work, compelling experiences

Coursework for the 38-credit MA is taught entirely in English at AUP. The full-time program is composed of two semesters of course work with an additional summer semester for completion and defense of the required research project. The part-time program is four semesters of course work with the additional summer semester.

The program requirements for both options include:
-Five courses (20 credits) exploring international relations, conflict management, and other subjects crucial to a well-rounded understanding of international affairs. A mix of core and elective courses ensures a solid foundation in the discipline plus the chance to investigate your own special interests.
-Five modules (10 credits) taught by visiting professionals that offer practical, hands-on training in short, workshop style seminars. These intensive experiences may include anything from a simulation of responding to a real-life conflict situation to creating plans for a virtual NGO to practice financial NGO management.
-One research methods seminar (2 credits) which will help prepare you for….
-A thesis (6 credits), a 12,000 word research project based on fieldwork or an internship experience that allows you to delve deep into a topic that interests you. A defense of your research project before a jury of experts, including the faculty’s readers, is required.

Coursework Masters

The Master of Arts in International Affairs is a 38 credit Coursework Masters consisting of 2.5 semesters taken over the course of one calendar year. Through a carefully crafted curriculum it transmits essential analytic and problem-solving skills in the discipline of international affairs.

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Our dual-language, dual-degree Master of Arts in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development is a dynamic graduate program drawing on the rich resources of two prestigious educational institutions.

The joint program between AUP and the Sorbonne-Paris I provides several unique features:
-An accredited American master’s degree plus an accredited French master’s certificate.
-A professional level of competence in written and spoken French.
-An interdisciplinary course of study across languages, cultures, and educational systems.
-A global network to launch a career in the NGO sector or with an international institution, national government, or multinational corporation.

Challenging course work, compelling experiences

The MA in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development is a 62 credit Research Masters taken over the course of four semesters. The program requirements include 62 credits as follows:
-Five courses at AUP (20 credits) exploring international relations, conflict management, and issues of civil society development, among other subjects. A mix of core and elective courses ensures a solid foundation in the discipline plus the chance to investigate your own special interests.
-Four courses at Sorbonne-Paris I (16 credits) exploring international affairs at our French partner institution. The exposure to different perspectives in a different educational system is invaluable and fosters a truly international environment.
-Six modules (12 credits) taught by visiting professionals in the fields of international affairs, conflict resolution, and civil society development. These short, workshop style seminars offer practical, hands-on training—anything from a simulation of responding to a real-life conflict situation to creating plans for a virtual NGO to practice financial NGO management.
-One thesis writing seminar (2 credits) which will prepare you for…
-A thesis (12 credits), a 15,000 word in-depth examination of a topic related to your experience and interests.

Research Masters

The MA in International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, and Civil Society Development is a 62 credit Research Masters taken over the course of four semesters. Research Masters at AUP develop perspective and depth in your thinking by adding a twin discipline or language – in this case study at the Sorbonne in French. A Research Masters enables a student to build a solid profile as an expert problem-solver or researcher.

Student-centered learning

AUP emphasizes a student-oriented, discussion-based education featuring small classes in a European setting, programs tailored to the individual, a high international profile, and a seasoned research faculty. Our French partner institute embodies a similar interest in interdisciplinary education, ethical reflection, and internationalism.

It is our hope to create in Paris a community of scholars working across languages, cultures, and different educational systems to develop conflict resolution and humanitarian skills, global solidarity networks, and future civil society alliances.

Practical information

Students in the MA come from educational institutions from across the world, having earned the equivalent of a BA degree in International Affairs or a closely related field—and from the working worlds of international institutions, NGOs, and policymaking.
We strongly recommend that students applying for this dual degree have a solid grounding in the French language. During the first semester all students must enroll in the Sorbonne’s Tutorat Méthodologie which provides training in French academic writing.

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Well-crafted communications strategies are central to the positioning of international organizations, national governments, and the diverse range of actors composing civil society. As civil society's importance grows globally, understanding its dynamics is increasingly central for anyone who wishes to intervene on its terrain.

The optional development communications track within the Master of Arts in Global Communications (MAGC) explores how civil society actors use communication to achieve their goals. A cutting edge curriculum offers a combination of practical branding, PR, production, and social media courses complemented by crucial theoretical and analytical courses treating actual cases.

Theoretical foundation for broad understanding

This track is designed for both professionals seeking broader academic training and new students seeking a range of specific training and broad understanding. Students study specific issues of global civil society relating to broad categories of freedom and expression, advocacy, governance, and the rule of law. The theoretical part of this degree examines issues of power, political and institutional agency, discourse, and mediated communication. Current trends in governance, non-state and civil society organization will be studied.

Hands-on training for practical application

In addition to equipping students with new or expanded communications skills, the hands-on practical courses and modules enable students to think critically, on the basis of case studies, about interaction between the State, private business, and the third sector. Themes studied include both internal and external communication in organizations.

Practica have been run outside France in Morocco and India. Students will gain insight into communication between NGO members, within the NGO world and civil society, between NGOs, donors and governments, and between NGOs and the corporate world.

Structure of the specialized track

The program requirements for the MA in Global Communications, Development Communications Track are as follows:
-Four mandatory core courses (16 credits)
-Two core options - theory courses (8 credits)
-Two core options - practical courses (8 credits)
-Two elective courses from all Global Communications and International Affairs course offerings (8 credits)
-Internship or Thesis (8 credits)

Coursework and Research Masters

The MA in in Global Communications, Development Communications Track is a 48 credit Coursework and Research Masters that can be completed in one calendar year. The length of the internship or thesis may vary, however—many students choose to take additional time for these components. Coursework and Research Masters at AUP open up international horizons and enable career-transition through an extensive range of classes blending theory and practice. Students develop precision in their problem-solving skills through challenging hands-on modules and the choice of an internship or a personalized research project.

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