International Affairs

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International Affairs, M.A.

The M.A. in International Affairs opens doors to career opportunities in an increasingly globalized world — not only in cities abroad but also right here in Middle Tennessee. Our graduates enjoy professional positions in the U.S. government and military, in business and industry, in higher education, and in the nonprofit sector, and they live in far-flung cities like London, Geneva, and Riyadh, as well as in our own backyard, in places like Huntsville, Clarksville, and Nashville.

Within Tennessee, MTSU's M.A. in International Affairs is the only degree program of its kind. Students in this interdisciplinary program develop applicable skills as well as in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice of international affairs. Within this subject area, students may specialize their studies by choosing an emphasis in:

  • international development, human security, and globalization
  • international security & peace studies
  • area studies, with a country-specific or regional focus (examples: China, Russia, Africa, Middle East)
  • global justice, human rights, and civil advocacy

Highly qualified faculty with expertise in these specialized areas guide student learning and support degree candidates who seek to advance their careers. The program also features a practicum in which students gain on-the-job experience, build their networks, and earn academic credit. Our interns have worked for:

  • government bodies like the State Department and NASA
  • law enforcement entities including the FBI and TBI
  • international organizations like the United Nations
  • nonprofits including the American Red Cross, Free For Life International, and the Tennessee World Affairs Council
  • think tanks like the Cato Institute
  • industry-leading companies like Apple and SpaceX

MTSU's M.A. in International Affairs program emphasizes applied learning, collaborative teamwork, and practical skills useful in many different career tracks. All majors are accepted, and the program can be completed in as little as three semesters. While students are encouraged to develop their language skills, no foreign language study is required for the degree.

International students are welcome. Classroom exercises are enhanced by the rich diversity of students from Tennessee, the southeastern United States, and around the world, including but not limited to Libya, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia.

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News Briefs

M.A. in International Affairs helped graduate learn skills to be flexible in career

Bryce Bivens earned his master's degree in International Affairs from MTSU during the pandemic. Bryce, who studied Japanese language and culture as an MTSU undergraduate, has since landed a job working for the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. He credits his education for helping him prepare for the position, which includes political analysis: "My current job is mostly focused on Southern politics. This was outside my wheelhouse, but I had the skills to make it my expertise, and my international background gives me a unique perspective when trying to understand what my employers are interested in," he explains. Bryce's experience in the International Affairs M.A. program boosted his confidence for the future, too. Students learn transferrable skills that can be applied in a variety of sectors; for Bryce, this means flexibility in a rapidly changing job market. "Besides a deep understanding of topics and professional writing skills, I gained strong research and analysis skills. Most of all, I gained a wider view that helps me adjust my thinking to different needs and employers."

M.A. candidate works for Transparency International in Mexico City

Rachel Harmon spent four months in Mexico for a prestigious practicum experience with Transparency International, a pre-eminent anti-corruption organization. Harmon, earning her M.A. in International Affairs in fall 2013, helped revise a survey that asks about people's participation in and perception of corruption (bribes, favoritism, etc.). She also worked on The Open Parliaments Project which promotes standards for openness and transparency for local legislators. "The fact I got to work for Transparency International is something that not many people can say in grad school, much less someone who comes from a public institution," Harmon says. The 2012 Political Science grad credited MTSU professors for opportunities including helping fund her education and studies abroad. Harmon saw political culture firsthand, visited historic ruins, increased her Spanish skills "tenfold," and fell in love with Mexico City and its welcoming citizens. Her goal is to help a nonprofit civil society organization find solutions to conflict and corruption.

News Briefs

M.A. in International Affairs helped graduate learn skills to be flexible in career

Bryce Bivens earned his master's degree in International Affairs from MTSU during the pandemic. Bryce, who studied Japanese language and culture as an MTSU undergraduate, has since landed a job working for the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville. He credits his education for helping him prepare for the position, which includes political analysis: "My current job is mostly focused on Southern politics. This was outside my wheelhouse, but I had the skills to make it my expertise, and my international background gives me a unique perspective when trying to understand what my employers are interested in," he explains. Bryce's experience in the International Affairs M.A. program boosted his confidence for the future, too. Students learn transferrable skills that can be applied in a variety of sectors; for Bryce, this means flexibility in a rapidly changing job market. "Besides a deep understanding of topics and professional writing skills, I gained strong research and analysis skills. Most of all, I gained a wider view that helps me adjust my thinking to different needs and employers."

M.A. candidate works for Transparency International in Mexico City

Rachel Harmon spent four months in Mexico for a prestigious practicum experience with Transparency International, a pre-eminent anti-corruption organization. Harmon, earning her M.A. in International Affairs in fall 2013, helped revise a survey that asks about people's participation in and perception of corruption (bribes, favoritism, etc.). She also worked on The Open Parliaments Project which promotes standards for openness and transparency for local legislators. "The fact I got to work for Transparency International is something that not many people can say in grad school, much less someone who comes from a public institution," Harmon says. The 2012 Political Science grad credited MTSU professors for opportunities including helping fund her education and studies abroad. Harmon saw political culture firsthand, visited historic ruins, increased her Spanish skills "tenfold," and fell in love with Mexico City and its welcoming citizens. Her goal is to help a nonprofit civil society organization find solutions to conflict and corruption.

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CAREERS

MTSU’s Master of Arts in International Affairs program is designed to prepare students for careers and pursuits related to international relations, including but not limited to work in government, nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits, business, education, and intelligence. 

Professional positions held by graduates of MTSU’s Master of Arts in International Affairs program include: 

  • Political Analyst 
  • International Trade Analyst 
  • Business Analyst 
  • Conflicts of Interest Surveillance Analyst 
  • Legislative Research Analyst 
  • Program Analyst 
  • Program Manager 
  • Risk and Financial Advisory Associate  
  • Nuclear Operations Officer 
  • Associate Editor 
  • Grant Writer 
  • Grants Manager  
  • Director of Talent Pipelines 
  • Student Success Advisor 
  • Systems Administrator 
  • Technical Officer

The variety of government institutions, NGOs, nonprofits, and companies that have employed our graduates underscores the wide range of career options open to those with an M.A. in International Affairs from MTSU: 

  • Apple 
  • Argus Media 
  • Austin Peay State University 
  • CapitalOne 
  • Catholic Charities of Tennessee, Inc. 
  • Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville 
  • Deloitte 
  • Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation 
  • Harmonic Finance, Inc. 
  • IDEASWorld.org 
  • International Labour Organization 
  • King Abdul Aziz University 
  • LCC International University, Lithuania 
  • Leidos 
  • Magellan Provider Services 
  • Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County 
  • Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Nashville State Community College 
  • NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
  • National Center for APEC 
  • Oasis Center 
  • OneMain Financial 
  • Progressive Corporation 
  • simpliHŌM 
  • Social Security Administration 
  • Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury 
  • Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) 
  • Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) 
  • Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Elections 
  • UBS 
  • U.S. Air Force 
  • U.S. Army, 20th CBRNE Command 
  • U.S. International Trade Commission 
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center 
  • VirtueHire LLC 
  • Zurich North America

Recent graduates also have successfully gained admission to advanced degree programs, including Columbia Law School and Ph.D. programs at Emory University and the University of Kansas. 

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A limited numbers of graduate assistantships and scholarships are available in addition to other forms of aid. Applications may be obtained from the College of Graduate StudiesWeb site. The Student Financial Aid Office has information on various kinds of financial aid online.

Academic Common Market

The SREB Academic Common Market is a program that allows students to study in a specialized field at an out-of-state college while paying in-state tuition. Students from such states as Alabama, Arkansas,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and other states in the south may be eligible. For more information, go to: http://www.sreb.org/page/1304/academic_common_market.html.

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