12 Best International Relations Master of Science (MSc) Degree Programs in United States of America (USA) for 2024

Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Environment and International Affairs (MS-EIA) from the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Georgetown’s Earth Commons Institute is designed for ambitious students seeking to combine interdisciplinary expertise, practical skills, and access to influential institutions in the nation’s capital.

Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) provides students with an understanding of the historical, political, social, cultural and economic context of contemporary international relations through the acquisition of knowledge areas, critical skills and strategic skills.

In today’s world, politics and the economy are intertwined. The MS in International Political Economy degree offers preparation to succeed in this dynamic, global workforce. Students will develop critical skill sets necessary to meet the needs and demands of the international diplomatic and business sectors, which include critical thinking skills, knowledge of multiple cultures and cultural contexts, rigorous research skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in an array of environments.

The field of international affairs is changing. Our approaches in and outside of the classroom must change as well. Gain the theoretical and practical tools you need to engage with the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.

This interdisciplinary graduate group provides students with knowledge and skills to implement, facilitate, and manage programs that enhance agricultural development, resource management, and rural life, particularly in developing and less-industrialized regions of the world. The program provides both breadth and depth components. The required breadth components provide students with an understanding of international development issues related to agriculture and the environment. These include the history and philosophy of development, leadership and management techniques, fundamentals of crop and livestock farming systems, and agricultural economics. The depth component is acquired through a student’s area of specialization. These may include agricultural and resource economics, agricultural engineering, agronomy, animal science, anthropology, aquaculture, avian sciences, community development, ecology, economics, entomology, environmental design, environmental toxicology, food science, gender, geography, horticulture, nutrition, plant pathology, plant biology, plant protection and pest management, political science, pomology, preventive veterinary medicine, range science, sociology, soil science, sustainable agriculture, vegetable crops, viticulture, and water science. In addition to the Master of Science, the program offers a Certificate in Development Practice. This program is available to registered students in any UC Davis graduate program and includes coursework in international development, energy production and use in developing countries, entrepreneurship, human nutrition, and a development practicum.

The International Commerce & Policy program (ICP) provides training in the political, legal, cultural and social aspects of global commerce, business, and economics. This 37-credit program, distinct from the MBA degree, is designed especially for international and U.S. students wanting to develop proficiency and understanding in areas related to international relations, politics, business, law, and policy.

This online master's degree in International School Leadership is designed specifically for educators who want to assume leadership positions around the world. The program was designed to address key educational leadership themes and challenges identified by the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE). Offered in partnership with PLS 3rd Learning, Wilkes shares a commitment to improve the quality of international school leaders across the globe.

What does the term “Strategic Intelligence” mean? At the National Intelligence University, it means the role played by the entire Intelligence Community in supporting the processes, development and execution of the United States’ national security strategy. It encompasses regional as well as global issues; military and civilian concerns; political and technical processes; and includes the assessment of physical, cultural and economic environmental considerations. The Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence covers the entire U.S. Intelligence Community and its mission, the environment in which it must function, and the potential adversaries it may deal with now and in the future. The program also focuses on the intelligence required to support the National Security Strategy and component strategies. The National Intelligence University, through the MSSI program, brings together students from across the entire Intelligence Community, including its military elements. By studying with and about each other’s agencies, and being guided by the NIU faculty through curricula on global issues, regional studies, intelligence practices, and capabilities (including those of potential adversaries), MSSI graduates earn a broader understanding of the entire IC, its challenges, and its role in supporting national security strategy.

Seton Hall's Online Executive Master of Science in International Affairs program is designed for professionals who seek to develop additional skills or credentials to move ahead in their careers, but cannot attend a traditional Executive Master of Science campus program in order to do so. Through a series of ten courses, students will build upon their knowledge and skills in policy analysis, negotiation and conflict management, and professional writing, while developing a functional and/or regional specialty.

The skills-based MS in International Relations and Business curriculum is designed to promote an advanced understanding of how the global economy, policy environment, and business strategy function collectively.

Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations has partnered with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Geneva to offer this Online Executive Master of Science in International Affairs and Diplomatic Practice program. The degree is designed for mid-career professionals who seek to develop additional skills or credentials to move ahead in their careers. Practitioners will explore contemporary diplomacy against the changing nature of world politics and investigate the complexities of relationships between different countries.

The students who earn their degrees in Global and International Education are changemakers who want to be prepared to design global curriculum, promote international-mindedness, foster intercultural and global competence, advocate for social justice, and lead in global institutions.