Master of International Affairs

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.

African Development

Data Analytics

Development Policy

Dispute Resolution

Environment and Resources

Humanitarian Response and Human Rights

International Business and Economics

International Cybersecurity

International Energy Policy

International Public Policy

International Security Studies

Middle East Studies

Create Your Own Concentration

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.

Learn More

In order to graduate, you must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in one language other than English. Proficiency is defined as:

1. four semesters of language study at Penn State, your original undergraduate institution or a combination of both;
2. native acquisition, as shown by the candidate's personal history and approved by the School of International Affairs; or
3. performance on a proficiency evaluation equivalent to four semesters (15 credits) of language learning.

If you have questions regarding the language proficiency requirement, contact academic_adviser@sia.psu.edu.

IMPORTANT

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.