- Why choose International Studies for my graduate degree?
In a 2006 report [pdf], the Committee for Economic Development concluded that “U.S. businesses are concerned with developing the workforce that they need for the United States economy to retain its position as the global leader. Foreign language skills, knowledge of other world regions and cultures, and overseas experience all contribute to creating the employee who has the cross-cultural competence needed by American businesses in the twenty-first century.”
Whether you see yourself in a for-profit, non-profit, or government service career, the master’s in international studies will provide a solid yet flexible foundation that can enhance your employability in any of these settings while giving you a more complex understanding of issues that increasingly affect all of us.
- What can I do with a M.A. in International Studies?
A degree in international studies may be a valuable asset for a career in public service, private enterprise and not-for-profit organizations worldwide such as banking and financial institutions, colleges and universities, consulting firms, cultural and educational exchange organizations, development assistance programs, federal, state and local governments, foundations, international organizations, media outlets, non-governmental organizations, policy research centers, private voluntary organizations, trade associations, and transnational corporations.
- I’m interested in international business. Why should I choose this degree over an MBA?
While an MBA provides solid training in areas such as finance and management that can be used in international settings, the Master of Arts in International Studies offers an in-depth exploration of issues that shape the prospects for multinational firms and industries. The coursework in International Studies provides a strong contextual understanding of the ways both contemporary and historical events affect the business environment in a region. Further, our interdisciplinary program allows you to complete relevant courses in the
Business School (such as International Business Strategy, Global Risk Management, Managing in a Global Environment, etc.) as part of your degree in International Studies. The Master of Arts offers a background that can combine coursework in business with an in-depth global perspective and will set you apart as you pursue opportunities in international business.
- What kind of students enroll in the International Studies Program?
Our students are about 50/50 men and women and they come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some are recent college graduates, many from foreign universities; others work in the private sector or for non-profit agencies in the greater Kansas City area; still others are members of the armed services. We view the diversity of our student body as a particular strength of our program. Our students bring a wealth of personal experiences and diverse academic backgrounds to the program, which makes for lively and thought-provoking seminars. We also have a very engaged student body. The student organization, MISO (Masters in International Studies Organization), has been highly active over the past two years, sponsoring lectures, workshops, and community service projects. Profiles of some of our current students are available here.
- How long does it take to complete the degree?
The Master’s of Arts International Studies is a 37 credit hour program and most courses offered at KU are 3 credit hours. For full time graduate students, the normal enrollment is 9 credit hours (3 courses) in the fall and spring semesters. Part-time students generally take 1 or 2 courses per semester, as their schedule allows.
A full-time student should be able to complete the program in two years. A working professional or part-time student who takes one course per semester can complete the program in three to four years. The KU Graduate School sets a limit of seven years from first enrollment to completion for the master’s degree.
- I work full time. Are there evening classes available?
Courses at the Edwards Campus meet one time per week in the late afternoon or evening, specifically to accommodate the needs of working adult students. Courses in Lawrence are more typically offered during the day, limiting their accessibility for some International Studies students. However, we work hard to schedule Lawrence courses in our program for evening time slots.
- Can I complete the program by attending classes at only one of the KU campuses?
All students are required to take two core courses, and these courses are offered only at the Edwards Campus located in Overland Park, Kansas. Beyond these classes, students can select from course offerings at both the Lawrence campus and the Edwards campus; depending on the student’s particular areas of interest, it is possible to complete the rest of the coursework on either campus. The Lawrence campus is about 35 miles from the Edwards Campus, which is located in Overland Park, Kansas on the southeast side of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. This map shows the two locations. The K-10 Connector bus offers service between the two campuses.
- What background do I need to be admitted to the Master’s in International Studies Program?
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 grade-point average (on a scale in which A = 4). There is no particular undergraduate degree that we are looking for, though some social science coursework is helpful and can strengthen your application. Basically, your application materials need to convince the admissions committee that you can be successful in a reading and writing intensive graduate program; that you have strong analytical and critical thinking skills; and that pursuing a degree in International Studies makes sense in light of your background and goals. Visit the How to Apply page for more information.
- Who can qualify for a waiver of the GRE requirement for applicants?
Scores from the Graduate Record Exam general test (www.gre.com) are required for most applicants, including international students. However, a) if the other application materials provide significant evidence of the applicant's academic abilities including a strong GPA in previous coursework in the social sciences and letters of recommendation from instructors who can speak to your performance in the classroom, and b) if the applicant has substantial work experience, the Program Director may waive the GRE requirement. If you believe your background would qualify you for such a waiver, you may submit a letter with your other application materials describing evidence of your abilities and elements in your background that show likelihood for success in the program.
Where the applicant's undergraduate studies were in an area unrelated to the social sciences and/or in an area that did not require many written papers (e.g. engineering, geology, finance, chemistry, etc.), and where the other application materials do not offer significant evidence of the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program in the social sciences (e.g. no academic references), GRE scores can significantly strengthen an application.
- When are applications due?
Applications to begin the program in January are due on November 15th. Applications to begin in August are due June 1st.
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