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Program Overview and Objectives
World politics has undergone a profound alteration over the past two decades. The collapse of the former Soviet Union, the
evolution of the European Union, recent events in the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as the rise of non-state power
centers such as al-Qa'ida, clearly demonstrate a significant paradigm shift in international affairs. The Cold War, which dominated
global events for nearly five decades, is over. Yet, what replaces the institutions of that era is not altogether clear. What
is clear is that the world community is increasingly interdependent, traditional identities and cultural norms are challenged, and
new conflicts emerge.
The Master of Science in International Relations (MSIR) degree program is a 12-course, 36-credit-hour curriculum of
study designed to provide students the foundation and knowledge needed for understanding the conduct of international relations.
Students are encouraged to gain a wide-ranging appreciation
for the political, historical, cultural, economic, and geographical
factors that affect international relations. This appreciation
is accomplished through an interdisciplinary course of instruction that draws upon a variety of resources. In addition, students develop methodological, analytical, and theoretical skills necessary for understanding and evaluating the impact of global and national issues on world events. The program offers courses covering an array of topical areas such as history, regional studies, comparative government, foreign policy studies, political economy, geography, conflict management, national security, international organization and law, intercultural relations, and developing states.
Prerequisite Requirements
Candidates for admission must have a baccalaureate degree
in any subject area from a regionally accredited college or university.
There are no prerequisite course requirements.
Students with undergraduate degrees in areas not included
in the curriculum are encouraged to inquire about the program.
Graduates of the Master of Science in International Relations
program have included individuals with undergraduate degrees
in the social sciences as well as in such areas as English, foreign
language, engineering, chemistry, mathematics, psychology,
education, and business administration.
Admission Requirements
Students may be admitted unconditionally if they meet the following requirements:
1. Hold a master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited
university. No test score is required. An official
transcript showing completion of a master's or higher
degree is required.
OR
2. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
college or university with a minimum overall undergraduate
grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0
grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All
hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester
hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade
point average. All transcripts from all colleges or universities
attended are required.
AND
3. Have an acceptable score on the appropriate entrance exam (GRE 920 ' verbal plus quantitative, MAT 396, GMAT 490).
Conditional admission may be granted under certain circumstances to applicants who cannot satisfy all unconditional admission requirements to a graduate program. See conditional admission requirements in the general regulations section of the 2009-2010 catalog.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of four courses (12 semester credit hours)
taken at another regionally accredited institution, each with a
'B' grade or better, can be applied toward the degree. These
courses must be comparable in catalog description to Troy University
courses in the MSIR program and must be approved by
the Dean of Arts and Sciences or Chair of the Department of
Political Science.
Requirements for Admission to Candidacy
To be admitted to candidacy, students must have a 3.0 GPA
on all work attempted.
Unconditionally admitted graduate students must apply for admission to candidacy after completing nine semester hours of requirements as outlined for the specific degree program. The Admission to Candidacy form must be completed within the first eighteen semester hours of the program. If the Admission to Candidacy form is not completed by the conclusion of 18 semester hours, a hold will be placed on the student's registration until Admission to Candidacy process is completed. If the student
makes a 'D' or 'F' in an core course, the course may be
retaken. If the student makes a "D" or "F" in an elective course, the course may be retaken or another elective taken in its place.
Degree Requirements
1. Unconditional admission
2. Overall 3.0 GPA
3. Completion of the curriculum listed below
4. Successful completion of comprehensive examination
5. Successful completion ('B' or better) of program research requirement ' IR 6601
6. Admission to candidacy
Curriculum
All courses offer three semester hours credit. The MSIR curriculum of study consists of three integral components:
I. Four core required courses
II. The selection and completion of a program concentration
III. The successful completion of a comprehensive examination
Core Required Courses
All students must take these four courses:
IR 5551 (3) Survey of International Relations
IR 6601 (3) Research Methods in International Relations
IR 6620 (3) International Political Economy
IR 6652 (3) Theory and Ideology of International Relations
Program Concentrations
Students must choose one of the following concentrations:
- Global Studies
- National Security Affairs
- Regional Affairs
GLOBAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION
Students may choose any eight of the following courses:
HIS 5503 (3) Contemporary Europe
HIS 5504 (3) Military History of the United States
HIS 5515 (3) Contemporary America, 1945 to Present
HIS 5523 (3) U.S. Diplomatic History
IR 5502 (3) International Political Geography
IR 5524 (3) Contemporary American Foreign Policy
IR 5533 (3) Comparative Government
IR 5552 (3) International Law
IR 6600 (3) Selected Topics in International Relations
IR 6602 (3) Geostrategic Studies
IR 6610 (3) International Organizations
IR 6625, 6626, 6627 (3) Specialized Study in International Relations
IR 6629, 6630 (3) Seminar in International Relations
IR 6631 (3) Intercultural Relations
IR 6633 (3) Developed and Developing Nations
IR 6634 (3) Tradition, Revolution, and Change
IR 6635 (3) National Security Policy
IR 6640 (3) Government and Politics of Developing Nations
IR 6641 (3) Latin America in World Affairs
IR 6642 (3) Russia and Eastern Europe
IR 6644 (3) Middle East in World Affairs
IR 6645 (3) Asia in World Affairs
IR 6647 (3) Western Europe in World Affairs
IR 6648 (3) Sub-Saharan Africa in World Affairs
IR 6655 (3) International Conflict Management
IR 6660 (3) Military Strategy and International Relations
IR 6665 (3) Readings in International Relations
IR 6670 (3) United Kingdom in World Affairs
IR 6672 (3) Germany in World Affairs
IR 6681 (3) Tribalism and Colonialism in Africa
IR 6685 (3) Terrorism and Political Violence
IR 6686 (3) Drug Politics in the Americas
IR 6687 (3) Free Trade and Economic Integration in the Americas
IR 6688 (3) Islamic Fundamentalism
PA 6610 (3) Foundations of Public Administration
PA 6612 (3) Comparative Public Administration
NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS CONCENTRATION
Students may choose any four of the following courses:
HIS 5504 (3) Military History of the United States
IR 5524 (3) Contemporary American Foreign Policy
IR 5552 (3) International Law
IR 6602 (3) Geostrategic Studies
IR 6635 (3) National Security Policy
IR 6660 (3) Military Strategy and International Relations
IR 6685 (3) Terrorism and Political Violence
Free electives
Students must choose four courses from the remaining electives listed for the Global Studies Concentration.
REGIONAL AFFAIRS CONCENTRATION
Students must take each of the following courses:
IR 5533 (3) Comparative Government
IR 6610 (3) International Organizations
IR 6631 (3) Intercultural Relations
Concentration Relevant Electives
Students must choose three courses from one of the following regional groups:
Latin America
IR 6640 (3) Government and Politics of Developing Nations
IR 6641 (3) Latin America in World Affairs
IR 6686 (3) Drug Politics in the Americas
IR 6687 (3) Free Trade and Economic Integration in the Americas
Europe
HIS 5503 (3) Contemporary Europe
IR 6642 (3) Russia and Eastern Europe in World Affairs
IR 6647 (3) Western Europe in World Affairs
IR 6672 (3) Germany in World Affairs
Asia
HIS 5551 (3) The Far East
IR 6640 (3) Government and Politics of Developing Nations
IR 6645 (3) Asia in World Affairs
Free electives
Students must choose two courses from the remaining electives listed for the Global Studies Concentration.
Comprehensive Examination
The third component of the MSIR degree program is the successful completion of a Comprehensive Examination. Students must successfully complete a six-hour comprehensive
examination, typically after all course work is completed or during the last term that they are registered for
course work. Comprehensive examinations are given each term. Examination questions are developed by the MSIR
faculty and approved by the Chair. Students must pass by successfully demonstrating the ability to integrate and synthesize
information obtained from the course work. The comprehensive examination is graded by a minimum of
two full-time and selected part-time faculty and submitted to the College of Arts and Sciences for review. Troy University
faculty and staff administer comprehensive examinations.
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