In this two-year program, explore the most prominent sociocultural theories while you learn how to handle international crises and implement global solutions.
The Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.) program offers you a customizable and interdisciplinary degree that emphasizes hands-on instruction and professional development. No matter your interests, you can build a master's degree that fits your academic and career goals, all while learning from distinguished faculty at one of the world's top research institutions.
Degree Requirements
The M.I.A. degree requires a minimum of 42 credits, with four separate degree components:
18 credits of core curriculum
21 credits of electives
Capstone experience (3 credits)—either an internship or a master's paper
Documented language proficiency
The degree takes approximately two academic years to complete.
We know you have a wide variety of interests and goals, so we offer optional concentrations to choose from—or you can create your own.
In addition to this list, you can create your own. Recent SIA graduates have completed customized concentrations in non-traditional security studies, economic development, climate and energy risk, and global media studies, among many others.
The core curriculum includes 18 credits—six courses of three credits each—that are completed during your first year in the program.
You will work with your faculty adviser and SIA academic adviser to choose 21 credits of elective courses (including at least 12 credits from INTAF elective class offerings) that fit your academic and career goals.
If you wish to take an elective that is not an INTAF course, or an elective that does not already appear on the list of approved courses for one of the optional concentrations, then you will need approval from your SIA academic adviser prior to course enrollment.
You can choose a
master's paper or a supervised internship to complete the capstone experience.
A master's paper
will allow you to integrate and illustrate mastery of the subject matter within
your customized degree and may provide an opportunity for original research.
Internships are
supervised professional placements in which you will integrate your studies in
a professional environment. At SIA, you can complete internships around
the world and in many professional settings—including NGOs, think tanks,
government agencies, international businesses, and more.
You are encouraged to study abroad as part of your master's degree program! The School of International Affairs offers a wide array of education abroad programs through the Penn State Education Abroad Office.
With programs in diverse countries and options for classroom-based study, internships, and research, you will have the opportunity to live and study overseas while fulfilling SIA degree requirements.
Credits taken as “audit” cannot count towards fulfillment of the language proficiency requirement.
In situations where two or more language classes replicate each other (in content/title), only one can be counted towards the SIA language requirement
When your language proficiency level cannot be readily determined to be at the 15-credit level, SIA reserves the right to require a language proficiency test.
