College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > Applied Diplomacy > Graduate Program > Applied Diplomacy (MA) > Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

​Course Requirements

Students complete a total of 12 courses (48 credit hours). Five courses (20 credit hours) of core course work, four courses (16 credit hours) in a concentration, two courses (8 credit hours) of professional development course work, and demonstrated language proficiency in at least one modern language, other than English, are required.

Core Courses

Students are required to complete five core courses (20 credit hours). The core courses are designed to introduce students to foundational approaches to diplomatic studies, international relations, international political economy and sustainable urban development.

Professional Development and Experiential Learning

Students will take two courses (8 credit hours) in this component of the curriculum, which includes courses in data analysis/statistics, foreign language, GIS, and health practice, among others. Experiential learning courses, such as internships or Study Abroad may be used to fulfill up to two of the four required courses. In addition, graduate courses in Modern Languages may count here, as deemed appropriate to the student’s plan of study.

Core Classes

Course Title Quarter Hours
DPL 400DIPLOMACY: ITS FOUNDATIONS AND FUTURES4
DPL 401TRANSPROFESSIONAL MEDIATION AND NEGOTIATION4
DPL 402CITIZEN DIPLOMACY IN THE 21ST CENTURY4
INT 402INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY4
MPS 511SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT4
PSC 400INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY4

Professional Development & Experiential Learning

Course Title Quarter Hours
Choose two from the following:8
CMNS 548
TEAMS, DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP
GEO 441
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
GEO 442
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
GEO 446
GIS ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH
GEO 447
WEB GIS AND SPATIAL DATA VISUALIZATION ON THE WEB
MPS 500
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT
MPS 508
INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT
MPS 515
NONPROFIT FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION
MPS 519
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
MPS 520
VALUES-CENTERED LEADERSHIP
MPS 521
LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SERVICE
MPS 522
FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
MPS 526
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
MPS 533
APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING EXCEL)
MPS 541
ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE
MPS 546
ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING
MPS 554
PRINCIPLES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING
MPS 564
PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING
MPS 575
STUDY ABROAD SEMINAR
MPS 594
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SERVICE
MPS 610
INTERNSHIP - CAPSTONE
SOC 402
STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
SOC 404
CLASSICAL AND MODERN THEORY
SOC 411
SOCIAL RESEARCH
SOC 412
DATA ANALYSIS
SOC 413
QUALITATIVE METHODS
SOC 423
URBAN ETHNOGRAPHY
SOC 466
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
SUD 404
URBAN DESIGN LABORATORY
WGS 464
POLITICAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY
WRD 507
GLOBAL ENGLISHES
WRD 526
GRANT AND PROPOSAL WRITING
WRD 531
DIGITAL STORYTELLING

Language Requirements

Applied Diplomacy graduate students may fulfil their language requirements in any of the following ways: 

  1. Provide official proof of graduation from a foreign university where course work was in a language other than English.
  2. Provide official proof of graduation with an undergraduate major in a language other than English. 
  3. Provide official proof of an intermediate-high score in both oral and written ACT-FL exams in a language other than English. 
  4. Provide official proof that you received a B+ or higher in a university graduate-level course in a language other than English. 

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Concentration Courses

Students must also complete four concentration courses (16 credit hours). Upon declaring a concentration, students will be assigned an advisor with whom they should consult regarding course selection and experiential learning options congruent with their interests. Advisors will also serve as mentors for students as they build professional portfolios. Students can choose from among of the following concentrations:

  • Critical Approaches to Diplomacy
  • Diplomacy and Critical Ethnic Studies
  • Diplomacy and Global Public Health
  • Diplomacy and International Public Service
  • Diplomacy and Migration
  • Environmental Diplomacy
  • Language and Diplomacy
  • Urban Diplomacy

Language Requirement

MA students must have proficiency in at least one modern language other than English. Students may demonstrate this proficiency by submitting one or more of the following items to the program director:

  • International BA transcripts
  • Domestic BA transcripts with a major in a modern language other than English
  • Documentation of completion of one graduate course in the target language with a B+ or higher grade
  • ACTFL proficiency written and oral exams at the Intermediate High level
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