Degrees

Master of Arts in Statecraft and International Affairs

MA in Statecraft and International Affairs

52 Credit Hours
Two years to complete with full-time student status

The Master of Arts in Statecraft and International Affairs is designed for students who wish to enter or continue in a career in foreign affairs, either in policymaking or implementation.

This program provides a comprehensive study of the theory and practice of foreign policy, process, and implementation, both in historical and contemporary perspectives. Significant attention is directed toward understanding the current world order, international relations, and the role of political culture, ideas, and values in influencing the behavior of states and non-state actors. It involves the study of the entire spectrum of instruments of power, how they are integrated strategically, and the ethical issues inherent in their use.

Opening the Door for Your International Affairs Career

Successful recipients of this degree are prepared for careers in:

  • Diplomacy
  • Defense strategy
  • Homeland security
  • Intelligence/counterintelligence
  • International development
  • International relations
  • Public diplomacy
  • Political warfare

Our graduates have gone on to work in government, the private sector, research, and journalism, among other areas.

The education here provides a foundation for anything that you could possibly want to do in intelligence, national security, or the diplomatic realm.

—Joshua Drusbacky (’19), Army Officer and Analyst for the U.S. Government

Emphasizing Language in a Multilingual Field

Candidates for this degree must demonstrate proficiency in a strategically-important foreign language. Recognized languages include: Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish.

The Institute currently offers Arabic, Chinese, and Russian classes on campus.

An M.A. in Statecraft and International Affairs will not be awarded until the candidate passes a foreign language exam at a proficient level.

Non-native speakers of English who are admitted to the M.A. program are exempt from this requirement and are not required to pass a language proficiency exam. To learn more about the foreign language requirements, please click here.

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Curriculum

Core Curriculum

(36 credits required; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Core Courses (All required)

NOTE: All MA students admitted prior to Fall 2020 are exempted and may follow the previous curriculum. Please contact the Office of Student Affairs if you have any questions (jjohnsrud@iwp.edu).

Courses in Statecraft (Four of the following are required)

In addition to the Core Curriculum, students in this degree program must also select one of the following five specializations:

Specialization in American Foreign Policy

(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Courses

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 8 credits)

Specialization in Comparative Political Culture

(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Courses

An area-study course (Choose one or two)

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 8 credits. If you take two area-study courses, then only 4 credits are needed.)

Specialization in Conflict Prevention

(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Courses

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 8 credits)

Specialization in International Politics

(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required Courses

An area-study course (choose one)

Elective Courses (Choose courses for a total of 8 credits)

Specialization in Peace Building, Stabilization, and Humanitarian Affairs

(16 credits needed; all courses are four credits unless noted otherwise)

Required courses

Elective courses (Choose a total of 8 credits)  

Regional Studies Specialization

(16 credits needed)

Students may select one of three regional specializations: Asia, Europe, or the Middle East.

Asia (All courses below are required.)

Europe (All courses below are required.)

 Middle East (Please choose courses equaling 16 credits. If you take IWP 688, you may reach 16 credits by taking a 2 credit directed study.)

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic terms, concepts, history, theories, and geography related to the U.S. foreign policy process, international affairs, and the current world order.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate military strategy, the diplomatic art, economic strategy, intelligence, counterintelligence, public diplomacy, and strategic influence into a coherent whole.
  3. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the statecraft of the U.S. and foreign powers.
  4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the main ideological currents of the modern era and their impact on US and foreign behavior.
  5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the principles of the American founding and their relevance to international affairs and U.S. foreign policy.
  6. Students will demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of the Western moral tradition and its applicability to national security and foreign policy, including the ethical conduct of statecraft and the ingredients of moral leadership such as the development and exercise of personal and civic virtues.
  7. Students will demonstrate the use of clear, effective and persuasive written communications.
  8. Students will demonstrate the use of clear, effective, and persuasive oral communication.

Additional Requirements

Students in this program may be enrolled full-time (9 or more credit hours per semester) or part-time (less than 9 credit hours per semester), but they must complete the degree in five calendar years or less. After successful completion of all coursework, each student will be required to pass a one-hour oral examination and a three-hour, comprehensive, written examination.

Perspectives from Alumni of the M.A. in Statecraft and International Affairs

“IWP was my first exposure to the world of counterintelligence, and I can say with confidence that the school’s curriculum assists me with the work I do daily… my IWP education provides the strategic understanding of the threats faced by the United States and helps provide the ‘why’ behind the actions of foreign intelligence services.”
Tim B., (’12)
Recipient of the “Director’s Award for Excellence” from the FBI
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“The program at IWP not only allowed me to learn the intelligence trade, but also to study the broad array of instruments of national power.”
John Scimone, (’10)
Chief Security Officer at Dell
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Rachel Bauman, Photo courtesy of the US Helsinki Commission (2)

“It was easy to tailor your classes to your interest while still achieving a broad overview on certain topics.”
Rachel Bauman (’18)
Helsinki Commission policy advisor
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“IWP’s unique academic curriculum has made me a well-rounded individual, not just in my own eyes but in the eyes of many with whom I work.”
A Member of the Class of 2013
Nationally recognized Middle East consultant
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“At IWP, you are given all the tools. Once you matriculate there, you are given the opportunities and the skill to get your foot in the door, push you, and give you direction.”
Peter Sulick (’11)
Review Team Lead at CACI
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“My time at IWP has challenged and informed my worldview, and given me an understanding of eternal principles and the nature of the international system.”
Tobias Brandt (’19)

“IWP is such a unique learning experience because the administrators and professors are so accessible… IWP as a whole pushed me to the career I have today.”
Kevin Murphy (’19)
Consultant for the U.S. Navy
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Contact an Admissions Officer

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