MA in Global Affairs
Catalog Year: 2023-2024
Banner Code: LA-MA-GLOA
The Global Affairs MA is an interdisciplinary program offering students the opportunity to engage in advanced study of a broad range of global issues. Students complete a core curriculum that provides the knowledge and skills to think and act globally. Students also pursue specializations that include relevant courses from academic departments across the university. All students in the program take part in a residency abroad, typically two weeks in duration, and complete a capstone seminar. Graduates enter the workforce or move forward in their already-established international and domestic careers in the public sector, non-governmental organizations, and business.
This is a Green Leaf program.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
This is a Green Leaf program.
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 600 | Global Competencies | 3 |
GLOA 605 | Interdisciplinary Research Methods | 3 |
GLOA 610 | Economic Globalization and Development | 3 |
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization | 3 |
GLOA 710 | Seminar Abroad | 3 |
Total Credits | 15 |
Specialization
Students choose to specialize in one of eight fields by completing 12 credits in that field selected from the courses listed. The specialization is developed in consultation with an advisor. Students who wish to design their own specialization must submit a one-page proposal and receive written approval from the director.
- Global Conflict and Security
- Global Culture and Society
- Global Economics and Development
- Global Education
- Global Governance and Public Management
- Global Health
- Global Media and Information Technology
- Global Population and Geography
Global Conflict and Security
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Advanced Topics in Global Health Security (minimum of 3 credits) | ||
Ethics and International Security | ||
Intelligence: Theory and Practice | ||
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security | ||
Nonproliferation and Arms Control | ||
Examining Terrorist Groups | ||
Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction | ||
Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
Conflict Analysis and Resolution for Prevention, Reconstruction, and Stabilization Contexts | ||
World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution | ||
Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
Leadership in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution | ||
Globalization and International Conflict | ||
International Negotiation | ||
International Security | ||
Management of International Security | ||
International Conflict and Crisis Response | ||
Peace and Stabilization Operations | ||
or other course approved by the program director
|
||
Total Credits | 12 |
Global Culture and Society
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Environmental Anthropology | ||
Regional Ethnography | ||
Culture, Power, and Conflict | ||
Gender and Violence | ||
Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution | ||
Seminar in Global Culture | ||
Comparative Politics | ||
Democratic Theory | ||
Issues in Comparative and International Politics | ||
Approaches to Modern World History | ||
Problems in Global History | ||
Problems in American History | ||
Topics in World Musics | ||
Interreligious Dialogue | ||
Issues in Religious Ethics | ||
Culture and Globalization | ||
Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives | ||
Sport in the Global Marketplace | ||
Transnational Issues of Gender and Race | ||
or other course approved by the program director
|
||
Total Credits | 12 |
Global Economics and Development
This specialization is best suited for students with an academic background in economics or for students who have taken microeconomics, macroeconomics, and calculus with a minimum grade of 3.00 in all three.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Conflict in Development | ||
Microeconomic Theory | ||
Microeconomic Theory II | ||
Macroeconomic Theory | ||
Comparative Economic Systems | ||
Environmental Policy | ||
Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy | ||
Microeconomics and Trade Policy | ||
Global Financial Crises and Institutions | ||
Global Trade Relations | ||
Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
Political Economy and Integration in Latin America | ||
International Political Economy | ||
Global Development and Human Security | ||
Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice | ||
Total Credits | 12 |
Global Education
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Introduction to Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners | ||
Education and Culture | ||
Theories of Learning and Cognition | ||
Culture and Intelligence | ||
Seminar in Global Culture | ||
Society and Education | ||
Or other course approved by the program director
|
||
Total Credits | 12 |
Global Governance and Public Management
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Nonproliferation and Arms Control | ||
Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
European Political and Economic Union | ||
International Relations | ||
Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions | ||
Advanced Seminar in International Politics | ||
International Negotiation | ||
The NGO: Policy and Management | ||
Cross-Cultural and Ethical Dimensions of International Management | ||
Governance and Policy Processes | ||
Theory and Practice in Public Policy | ||
Global Governance | ||
Or other course approved by the program director
|
||
Total Credits | 12 |
Global Health
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Intercultural Health and Risk Communication | ||
Global Health | ||
Environmental Health | ||
HIV/AIDS: Concepts, Principles, and Interventions | ||
Health Program Planning and Evaluation | ||
Global Infectious Diseases | ||
U.S. and Global Public Health Systems | ||
Health Geography | ||
Comparative International Health Systems | ||
Global Nutrition | ||
Public Policy in Global Health and Medical Practice | ||
Global Threats and Medical Policies | ||
Or other course approved by the program director
|
||
Total Credits | 12 |
Global Media and Information Technology
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Theories of Public Relations | ||
New Technologies in the Global Economy | ||
Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy | ||
Culture, Organization, and Technology | ||
Telecommunications Policy | ||
International Migration and Public Policy | ||
Or other course approved by the program director
|
||
Total Credits | 12 |
Global Population and Geography
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement) | 3 |
or GLOA 599 | Issues in Global Affairs | |
Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
Environmental Anthropology | ||
Transportation Geography | ||
Issues in Regional Geography | ||
Health Geography | ||
Geospatial Science Fundamentals | ||
Selected Topics in Geography | ||
Spatial Agent-Based Models of Human-Environment Interactions | ||
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis for Public Policy | ||
Immigration Policy | ||
Or other course approved by the program director
|
||
Total Credits | 12 |
Capstone Seminar
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 720 | Capstone Research Seminar | 3 |
Total Credits | 3 |
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking foreign languages or global affairs with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.
Foreign Languages, MA and Global Affairs, MA Dual Degree
The Department of Foreign Languages and the Global Affairs Program offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Foreign languages MA (concentration in French, Spanish, or Spanish-bilingual/multicultural education) and the Global Affairs MA in a minimum of 48 credits rather than the minimum of 60 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Requirements
Students pursuing a dual master's program linking the Foreign Languages MA with a concentration in French, Spanish, or Spanish bilingual/multicultural education with the Global Affairs MA can share 12 credits between the two programs.
Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking global affairs or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.
Global Affairs, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree
The Global Affairs and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Global Affairs MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 54 credits rather than 66 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Requirements
Total credits: 54
Required Global Affairs Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
GLOA 600 | Global Competencies | 3 |
GLOA 610 | Economic Globalization and Development | 3 |
GLOA 615 | Case Studies in Globalization | 3 |
GLOA 710 | Seminar Abroad | 3 |
Select three courses from the chosen specialization for the global affairs MA | 9 | |
Total Credits | 21 |
Required Women and Gender Studies Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
WMST 630 | Feminist Theories | 3 |
WMST 640 | Transnational Issues of Gender and Race | 3 |
Select one course in critical race studies from the following: | 3 | |
Critical Race Studies | ||
Representations of Race | ||
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought | ||
Policing Black Bodies | ||
Policing Black Bodies | ||
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
Special Topics | ||
Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following: | 3 | |
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
Queer Theory | ||
Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following: | 3 | |
Transnational Sexualities | ||
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
Sociology of Globalization | ||
Social Justice and Equity in International Education | ||
Select 9 credits in elective courses chosen from the following and not used to fulfill another requirement: | 9 | |
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability | ||
Transnational Sexualities | ||
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration | ||
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies | ||
Special Topics | ||
Queer Theory | ||
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights | ||
Internship | ||
Total Credits | 24 |
Required Methods Course
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one from the following: | 3 | |
Interdisciplinary Research Methods | ||
Feminist Research Methods | ||
Total Credits | 3 |
Capstone
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Capstone Research Seminar | ||
Integrated Learning Experience | ||
Total Credits | 3 |
Project or Thesis
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits) | ||
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits) | ||
Total Credits | 3 |
Total Credits: 54