The Master of Arts in International Studies is an academically rigorous, two-year program focused on social analysis and justice issues. It is a standalone program but also prepares students for doctoral studies.
ADMISSION
Applications for the fall cohort will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. The priority deadline for the program is April 15th, but applications will continue to be reviewed until the cohort is filled. The priority deadline is strongly recommended in order to be considered for potential tuition waivers. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at lasgrad@depaul.edu for more information.
Join us for an information session.
Check out the INT Department BA & MA Student Handbook to learn about the program. College of Liberal Arts and Social information sessions will provide you with the opportunity to learn about program content and admission requirements and meet with program faculty. For more information and to register for an upcoming event, please visit
https://grad.depaul.edu/portal/las-information-session
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The program is on a quarter system and requires the completion of 48 credit hours (12 courses over two years), including two foundation courses, four core courses, three electives, three research courses, and a 50-80 page thesis or final project.
This MA program is ideal for motivated students seeking an interdisciplinary and challenging education in the field of International Studies. The curriculum allows the flexibility to integrate multiple disciplines (including Geography, Political Science, History, Anthropology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Migration Studies, and Gender Studies). Our courses emphasise social theory, independent research and writing. Students investigate contemporary issues from multiple perspectives using approaches from critical social and cultural theory and international political economy.
In their first quarter, students enrol in two courses,
INT 401 Critical Social Theory and
INT 402 International Political Economy, which provide the frameworks for subsequent classes. Building on this foundation, students select from a series of topical core courses over the next two quarters. In their second year, students self-design a final project with their faculty advisor and committee. This can be a thesis, an internship, or a creative project on a relevant topic within this coursework structure. This capstone project prepares students for independent research + writing, and critical analysis. No matter which option you choose, it will involve intensive writing.
The European Union Research Internship
Students interested in the European Union can apply for a research internship in the European Union Commission's offices in Brussels. This four-month intensive research experience is organised through the Irish Institute for European Studies at Leuven University. Interns work within the commission offices on policy analysis that they can then relate to their research. See DePaul's
Study Abroad Program for more information.
Juris Doctor/Master of Arts: International Law Studies
A joint degree is an option for small number of students
who are first accepted into the College of Law. The program is particularly appropriate for law students with strong foreign language or social science backgrounds who wish to pursue careers as international legal specialists.
To be accepted to the joint degree program, students must complete at least 28 credits in the College of Law with a minimum grade point average of 3.00. They apply to the LAS graduate program after their first semester in law school. Contact the College of Law for more information.
Why International Studies?
the world fees multiple crises of climate, war and mobility. The MA in International Studies provides you with the skills needed to understand the rising complexity of contemporary life. These include the increasing financial insolvency of many states, foreign direct investment (FDI), the growing gap between rich and poor, the large numbers of displaced refugees and migrants, environmental devastations, and falling population numbers. Narrow disciplines can often limit themselves to only a limited perspective.
The MA program provides students with key competencies in critical thinking, research and data gathering in international context. In the process, students learn how to formulate and write compellingly about relevant topics in the field.