MA in Global Affairs

The MA in Global Affairs is designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate diverse interests, goals, and schedules. Fall or spring semester admission is available. All students take a common set of core courses emphasizing analytical and methodological tools and theories to understand global complexity and prepare students for further work in their chosen specialization. All core courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate both full and part-time students, and many courses have online options as well. The interdisciplinary specialization is chosen by the student, with each specialization offering a range of course to choose from (drawing from highly ranked departments across the university, including but not limited to economics, history, government, public policy, sociology), allowing each student to tailor their program to their goals and interests. Students are also able to pursue internships or study abroad as part of their program. Most of the core courses have fewer than 15 students. 

In the Global Affairs master’s program, you will work with an interdisciplinary group of faculty members at the cutting edge of their fields. Our faculty member’s research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, the US Department of State’s Fulbright Programs, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the United Kingdom’s Economic and Social Research Council, the American Institute for Maghrib Studies, the American-Scandinavian Foundation, the Isaac Newton Trust, and more. Our faculty have also won various awards for their teaching and scholarship. Our faculty expertise covers Central America, Central Africa, East Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Northern Europe, South Asia, and West Africa and faculty members conduct research on issues ranging from financial globalization to human rights, from K-pop to political transitions, from environmental justice to health communication, from emerging technologies to conflict prevention, and so on. Whatever their research interests, all our faculty prioritize working with our graduate students and providing the instruction and guidance to help every student pursue their customized course of study. We encourage you to look at our faculty pages and reach out to any faculty member in whose work you are interested.

George Mason offers an ideal atmosphere for studying global affairs. The university attracts students and faculty from over 130 countries, with at least 80 languages spoken on campus. The Global Affairs Program attracts an especially dynamic and diverse student body, and our students enhance classroom conversation through their multiple perspectives and experiences. George Mason is Virginia’s largest public university with an R1 ranking from the Carnegie Foundation, recognizing it as a top-tier research university. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, our students have access to internships and other opportunities in Washington, D.C., and the broader DMV region. Fairfax County is regularly recognized as one of the best places to live in the country with access to great schools, a dynamic economy, diverse and welcoming communities, and rich recreational opportunities.