MA in Global Affairs

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MA-GLOA

Green Leaf

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

Select one from the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods  
Feminist Research Methods  
Total Credits 3

Capstone

Select one of the following: 3
Capstone Research Seminar  
Integrated Learning Experience  
Total Credits 3

Project or Thesis

Select one of the following: 3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)  
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)  
Total Credits 3

Total Credits: 54