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Master of Arts in International Relations

The Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) graduate degree program at Boston University in Brussels presents an opportunity for members of Brussels' international professional community—such as diplomats, military officers, business professionals, and policy makers—to explore issues of critical importance to their work environment, including:

• International law and government
• Defense strategies
• Foreign policy
• Economics and development
• Intelligence and security
• Governance
• Regional cultures and politics

Students may complete the MAIR graduate degree program in one and a half years by enrolling on a part-time basis. This time frame is allotted for completing the required coursework, the statistics and language requirements, and the master's thesis paper.

The application process for the MAIR graduate degree program is administered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Learn more about  How to Apply.

Program Requirements

Eight courses/32 credits

International Relations graduate degree program students must enroll in seven courses (three required courses and four electives) that represent four core areas of study:

• Theory of Policy
• Economics
• Security Studies
• Regional Studies

In addition, students must choose one elective with the prefix MET.

Core Courses
Three courses/12 credits

CAS IR 550 West European Integration
CAS IR 589 North Atlantic/European Security Issues
CAS IR 704 Global Economic and Development Policy

Electives
Five courses/20 credits

CAS IR 524 War and Statecraft
CAS IR 535 Diplomacy and Statecraft
GRO IR 701 International Relations for Practitioners
GRO IR 760 The Political Economy of the European Union
MET AD 725B Negotiations and Organizational Conflict Resolution
MET AD 749B International Economics
MET AD 751B International Commerce: European Community
MET AD 760B Going International: Importing/Exporting Operations
MET AD 764B Multinational Tactics, Strategy, and Positioning
MET MG 721B International Business Law

Language Requirement
All International Relations graduate degree program students are required to demonstrate graduate-llevel reading proficiency in English and one other language prior to completion of the degree program. Graduate-level proficiency is the ability to accurately understand newspaper and professional journal articles in the field of foreign relations, using standard reference materials.

Non-native English-speaking students who did not receive an undergraduate degree from a university in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting a TOEFL score. A degree from an English-language university located in a country other than these does not exempt an applicant from the TOEFL requirement. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Standardized Testing
GRE testing results are required.

Statistics Requirement
Students must pass a university statistics course prior to the completion of the Master of Arts in International Relations. This requirement can be filled by completing MET OM 735 Statistical Analysis with a grade of B- or better.

Note: students who have taken a statistics course in their university studies may satisfy this requirement by presenting documenation of coursework (online classes are not accepted).

Master's Paper Requirement
All candidates for the Master of Arts in International Relations are required to write a master's paper in one of two forms:

1. A traditional research paper or
2. A policy paper addressing a current issue and recommending a course of action to introduce new ideas or change an existing policy

Students are given broad latitude in selecting topics and approaches in consultation with their advisors. All papers must be defended orally in front of a panel of three professors. The purpose of the oral examination is to test the student's knowledge in the area of research related to the master's paper and ability to discuss that knowledge at length in a clear and organized manner.