Master of Arts in International Relations & Environmental Policy
The management of natural resources and the resolution of environmental conflicts are increasingly important factors in determining the course of international relations. Competition for natural resources and efforts to control that competition are shaped largely by the geographical distribution of resources and by those who consume them. Environmental problems cross borders. The International Relations & Environmental Policy (IREP) joint degree program offers students a dynamic opportunity to explore the intersection of international affairs and environmental issues through combined study in international relations and environmental science.
Students divide their coursework between the Department of International Relations and the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies (CEES). The program typically takes three to four semesters to complete. Three semesters are required to complete the necessary coursework. While it is possible to complete the program in three semesters, many students choose to spend an additional fourth semester at the university completing their MA Paper.
Admission into this joint degree program requires separate admissions decisions by the IR department and by CEES. These decisions are based on one complete application to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Applicants who are admitted by one department and not the other have the option to pursue the regular MA degree in the department into which they were admitted.
Requirements
Students are required to complete all IR core requirements, including the General Core Course, Foreign Language, Statistics and MA Paper requirements. Students take two IR electives as well. The CEES portion of the degree also requires three core courses and two electives. There is one required joint core course and one free elective, which may be chosen from approved IR or CEES elective courses. Students complete a total of 12 classes (36 credits). To see a progress report for IREP students, go to the forms page.
Joint Core Course Requirement
CAS IR/GE 594 Global Environmental Negotiation and Policy
CEES Core Course Requirement
Students are required to take one course from three of the following four groups:
Group A
- CAS GE 505 Geographic Information Systems
- CAS GE 516 Multivariate Analysis for for Geographers
- GRS GE 712 Regional Energy Modeling
- GRS MA 684 Applied Multiple Regression and Multivariable Methods
Group B
- CAS GE 510 Physical Principles of the Environment
Group C
- CAS GE 519 Energy, Society, and the Environment
Group D
- GRS GE 625 U.S. Environmental Planning
- GRS GE 660 Resource Economics
CEES Elective Courses
Students are required to complete two approved elective courses from the CEES graduate level offerings for a total of eight CEES elective credits. For a list of these courses, please see the CEES course inventory. Students may also take the Graduate School of Management elective course GSM SP 844, Competitive Environmental Strategies, and the College of Engineering elective course ENG MN 535, Green Manufacturing, as CEES electives.
IR Elective Courses
Students complete two IR electives for a total of 8 IR elective credits. All graduate level IR course offerings are eligible to fulfill this requirement, in addition to offerings from other departments which have been pre-approved. See the General Requirements page for more information.
Free Elective – IR or CEES
Students select a fifth elective course which may be taken with either IR or CEES.