International Relations and Security Studies (MA)

The Master of Arts in International Relations curriculum is organized into four modules: Core Competencies (37.5 ECTS), of which all courses are required, a Specialization Module (22.5 ECTS) of which the required ECTS may be earned from pre-selected courses, and Electives (15 ECTS), whereby students may earn from a larger pool of pre-selected discipline-specific courses, and finally culminating in a thesis (15 ECTS). The total required workload is 90 ECTS in 10 courses plus the thesis.

Full-time students working toward the Master of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies will usually carry a course load of four courses per semester. For each course in the MA in International Relations program with the exception of the thesis, students attend 36 hours of courses and conduct approximately another 151.5 hours of self-learning. Students working toward the Master of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies can complete the program in a minimum of three semesters.

Full course descriptions, individual learning outcomes, details about ECTS, weekly study schedules and assessment criteria are available in each course syllabus, available via WVPU’s publicly accessible course schedule.

Module 1: Core Competencies (37.5 ECTS)

 

Module 2: Specialization (22.5 ECTS)

Students must complete three courses from their selected Specialization Module. The courses presented below are examples of classes offered in these clusters module. New courses may be added to the course catalog with varying topics and sub-topics.

Module 2/Specialization 1: Diplomacy and Governance

Module 2/Specialization 2: Security and Conflict

Module 2/Specialization 3: Economy and Technology

Module 3: Electives (15 ECTS)

Students must earn 15 ECTS from any of the courses below or from one of the two Specialization modules not selected. In addition to those listed, the following courses from other programs are accepted as meeting the Elective requirement: MRKT 5000 Marketing, MNGT 5590 Organizational Behavior, BUSN 5200 Basic Finance for Managers.

The below courses are to be understood as example courses and WVPU might only offer a selection of the classes listed below while at the same time presenting new elective courses in the respective semesters.

Module 4: Thesis (15 ECTS)

 

Please see WVPU’S Thesis Guidelines (PDF) for more information on the Thesis requirements, as well as the International Relations’ Department Graduate Thesis Guidelines on Connections (requires login).

While students working toward a Master of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies can complete the program in a minimum of three semesters, most students complete the program in four semesters. Curriculum in this program develops as students progress through their studies. For that reason, adhering to prescribed course sequencing is an essential component to success. The course syllabus or WVPU’s publicly accessible course schedule both list course prerequisites, if any.

Advisors are available to assist students with degree planning to help ensure proper course sequencing. Though most students will adhere to their respective program roadmap, advisors can help develop individualized degree plans when the situation warrants deviation from the roadmap. Advisors must approve all course registration requests before they are processed. Advisors also consult on issues related to academic and career goals, and university resources.

The Master of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies program is subject to WVPU’s systematic Internal Quality Management System that incorporates continuous measures and involves the Executive Board, academic department heads and the University Senate. This ensures that its learning outcomes and the content of its curriculum impart advanced knowledge in the discipline while delivering the skills and competencies requisite for a master’s degree. WVPU’s quality management processes include a triannual program review and assessment of learning outcomes, course evaluations, an annual review of academic polices and processes, semi-annual performance reviews with units and employees and collected stakeholder feedback through semi-annual meetings and surveys supported by the university’s internal information systems.

Department faculty interview all incoming candidates of the MA in International Relations and Security Studies, allowing the department to directly assess the quality of candidates and thereby sustaining the high standards of the program. At the course level, each syllabus (including criteria and methods of assessment) is reviewed and approved by the department at least one semester prior to being published on the university’s course offerings, ensuring that learning outcomes are clearly stated and appropriately paired to the course’s content and assessment criteria. All students have access to the syllabus before the course begins, and in addition, faculty are required to review the syllabus on the first day of class. During the running of any course students interact with both the faculty member and the department’s administration alerting them to any problems that might arise and triggering procedures based on academic policies and procedures, particularly with reference to disputes between students and faculty.

The base selection of course offerings for any academic year is determined two years in advance through regular planning sessions. The process includes consultation with representatives of student government and incorporates additional student feedback through face-to-face meetings, town halls and anonymous course evaluations. Teaching assignments pairing faculty to courses are completed one year in advance. Prior to assigning a course to a faculty member, the department head verifies the individual’s qualifications and experience as an instructor. Students evaluate all first-time instructors in the third week of their course to provide feedback and allow for corrective measures if necessary.

Other continuous processes also play an important role in sustaining and enhancing the integrity of the program. All incoming Master of Arts in International Relations and Security Studies candidates are interviewed by members of the International Relations Department, allowing the department to directly assess the quality of candidates and thereby ensure that the high standards of the program are sustained. The head of the department meets monthly via video conference with counterpart degree program heads of Webster University and its campuses around the world not only to evaluate the program and suggest changes — thereby adding and shaping curricula and course content to meet WVPU student needs and national regulations — but also to integrate experiences from around the world and coordinate program enhancement at all locations where elements of the degree program are taught.

WVPU policies support and maintain the highest quality of education and service level for students. All students attending WVPU are obliged to adhere to university academic policies, including the Study and Examination Guidelines and the Code of Conduct, available on the WVPU website. Students are solely responsible for familiarizing themselves with all applicable university policies and procedures including those dictating academic standards.

Students are also fully responsible for managing their degree progress in compliance with the curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to: ensuring schedule accuracy each semester, adhering to all registration and payment deadlines, proactively addressing any issues that may interfere with degree progress, exclusively using the university assigned email address for all academic-related correspondence and observing course-specific deadlines and policies.

WVPU retains the right to update policies and procedures. Students will be informed of any such changes in a timely manner.