Graduate Programs

The Department of International Relations has developed a series of interdisciplinary Master of Arts programs. These international relations programs prepare students for a variety of careers in the international arena, including government work in the Foreign Service and intelligence agencies; jobs in private non-profit organizations, such as non-governmental organizations, policy think tanks, and international charitable organizations; and a variety of careers in the private sector, such as consulting, international journalism, and marketing.

The multidisciplinary curriculum of our programs embraces courses in political science, history, geography, economics, environmental science, anthropology, sociology, communications, law, and management. The Department is affiliated with the Center for International Relations; the Institute for the Study of Ideology, Policy, and Conflict; the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future; and the African Studies Center. These centers are located on campus and organize lecture and seminar series throughout the academic year. Other centers and institutes both at BU and at other institutions within the greater Boston area offer students access to a wide range of resources and lecture series.

Interested students are encouraged to read the sections on General Policies & Core Requirements, which apply to all of our programs, and then to read the descriptions of the individual programs. Our programs are listed below and are also available from the menu at right.

Please note that while we offer several MA programs, we do not at this time offer a PhD program.

Certificate in African Studies