Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA)

The MAIA program at North Georgia College & State University is a fully online graduate program that can be completed in two years. The MAIA provides an advanced understanding of the international system with a focus on the multiple facets of global security issues, including terrorism, strategic security policy, the examination of economic elements of security and the theories which define the field of international affairs.   The program enhances students' research and analytical skills to help them advance in their profession or begin to explore a career in international affairs.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Students with a GPA less than 2.75 may be admitted with a GRE score of at least 950. 

Admission Procedures 

Applicants must apply for the program through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Applicants must complete the on-line application form and forward all appropriate transcripts, an updated resume and two letters of recommendation to the Office of Graduate Admissions.  

Initial review of applications begins in early April.  At the beginning of each month thereafter, applications will be reviewed until all available slots for the program are filled. Qualified applicants not accepted under initial reviews may be placed on a waiting list for future placement.   

Tuition and Fees 

Tuition for the program is $250 per credit hour for both Georgia and out-of-state applicants.  In addition to tuition, additional fees may be assessed by the university or program.

Degree Requirements: 36 credit hours

For a full description of every course in the program, click here.

Required Foundational Courses - 18 Hours 

• Theory of International Relations (POLS 7011) 3 credits
• Theory of International Political Economy (POLS 7012) 3 credits
• Research Methods for IA (POLS 7013) 3 credits
• Foreign Policy Process (POLS 7014) 3 credits
• Global Governance (POLS 7105) 3 credits
• Leadership and Organizational Theory (POLS 7200) 3 credits

Area of Specialization - 12 Hours 
Students are required to take 12 credit hours within an area of concentration. Up to 6 credits can come from graduate course work outside political science through Georgia On My Line or transfer credit. The international affairs program director has final approval over appropriate courses in addition to those listed. Please check with the program director for applicability, prior to registering for the course. At this time, the only concentration offered in the program is International Security.

Courses approved for the International Security specialization

• POLS 7201:  International Security Issues - 3 credits
• POLS 7210:  European Security Issues - 3 credits
• POLS 7230:  National Security Policy of the United States -3 credits
• POLS 7244:  International Political Violence - 3 credits
• POLS 7350:  Grand Strategy and Strategic Thought - 3 credits

Readings Prior to Class 

Students who do not have a strong academic background in international affairs are urged to review three books prior to the beginning of their first class.  These texts cover foundational material, particularly the theories, behind international affairs as an academic discipline. Graduate-level courses in the discipline will assume that each student is familiar with these basic concepts. All three books are available on Amazon and many other online book outlets.  The texts are:

• "Global Politics in a Changing World", 4th Edition: Richard Mansbach & Edward Rhodes
• "International Relations: The Basics": Sutch, Peter & Elias, Juanita
• "Security Studies": Paul D. Williams, Editor

Advisement Guide 

The advisement guide for MAIA students will help you select classes and prepare for entry into the program.

Transfer of Credits Policy

Students may transfer no more than 6 hours of credit in their area of specialization. All foundational and capstone coursework must be taken within the program. The Director of International Studies has final approval over the transferability of all coursework.

TAP Policy 

TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) is a financial assistance program allowing employees of the University System of Georgia to enroll in courses and degree programs within the USG with reduced or no costs.  No direct reimbursement for the costs associated with administering the program are provided by the employing institution to the host institution.  Due to the high start up costs and limited enrollment space available, the number of TAP recipients is limited to no more than 10% of the students enrolled in the MAIA program.

Course Schedule (tentative)

Click on the course for the syllabus.

• POLS 7014 Foreign Policy Process
• POLS7011  Theory of International Relations

• POLS7105 Global Governance
• POLS7013 Research Methods for IA
• POLS7201 International Security Issues

Summer 2010:

• POLS7200 Leadership    

Fall 2010:

• POLS7244 International Political Violence
• POLS7012 Theory of International Political Economy
• POLS7230 National Security Policy of US 

Spring 2011:

• POLS7015 International Affairs Capstone (6 hour course)
• POLS 7210 European Security Issues

Program Faculty

• Dr. Dlynn Armstrong-Williams (Security and Asia):   Web
  
• Dr. Cristian Harris (Latin America): Web 
• Dr. Craig Greathouse (Security and Europe):  Web 
• Dr. Jon Miner  (Security and Middle East): Web