International Relations (MA)

The Master of Arts in International Relations (MA) enables students to analyze the complexities and processes involved in world politics and international affairs. The program prepares students for leadership and service in the international diplomatic, professional and academic communities and to compete for positions in a governmental agency, an intergovernmental organization, a non-governmental organization or a multinational corporation. This program is particularly suited for individuals seeking careers or advancement among the Vienna-based International Organizations (IAEA, UNOV, UNIDO, CTBTO, World Bank among others) and is also recommended for students planning to pursue a doctoral program or an academic career.

Stemming from a multitude of nations, International Relations students examine great powers politics, humanitarian issues, and the dynamics of the international political economy, learning how to employ competing theories, methods, and approaches. Coursework provides exposure to the key subfields of the discipline including International Security, European Integration, EU-Asia Relations, Terrorism and Energy Security and relevant issues such as globalization, human rights, humanitarian action, and economic development.

The Master of Arts in International Relations program prepares students to take on positions of leadership and responsibility in the public and private sectors, to take on roles as advocates as well as analysts, and navigate the sensitivities and complexities of international politics, diplomacy and foreign policy to advance their cause and benefit the public good thereby keenly matching WVPU’s profile and objectives. Graduates of the Master of Arts in International Relations program are fully qualified for the degree they earned and are critical and adaptive thinkers capable of succeeding in a complex, changing and competitive labor market. The program’s strong focus on research, methods, and analysis combined with frequent exposure to real-world cases ensures that its graduates are professionally ready to step in and make a difference and possess the academic background to pursue a terminal degree.

The Master of Arts in International Relations curriculum is organized into four modules:

• A Core Competencies Module (3 courses / 22.5 ECTS)
• Cluster Modules:
  • Cluster 1: International Politics (4 courses / 30 ECTS)
  • Cluster 2: Comparative Politics (2 courses / 15 ECTS)
• Electives (1 course, 7.5 ECTS)
• Thesis (1 course / 15 ECTS)

Full-time students working toward the Master of Arts in International Relations will usually carry a course load of four courses per semester. For each course in the Master of Arts in International Relations program apart from 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 (MA) can complete the program in a minimum of 3 semesters.

Module 1: Core Competencies (22.5 ECTS)

• INTL 5000 Introduction to International Relations (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5100 Research Methods and Perspectives .(7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5900 Advanced Research Methods (7.5 ECTS)

Module 2: Clusters (45 ECTS)

Students must select 4 courses from the International Politics Cluster and 2 from the Comparative Politics Cluster. The courses presented below are examples of classes offered in this module. New courses may be added to the course catalogue with varying topics. s

Cluster 1: International Politics (30 ECTS). Select 4 of the following:

• INTL 5510 Theories of International Relations (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5530 International Law (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5400 International Political Economy (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5540 International Organizations (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5550 War and Diplomacy (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5590 International Security (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5560 US Foreign Policy (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics: Energy and Environmental Security (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics: Monetary Relations (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5860 Issues in International Politics: The Emerging Field of Geoeconomics (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5870 International Law and Politics of Outer Space (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5890 Terrorism in World Politics (7.5 ECTS)

Cluster 2: Comparative Politics (15 ECTS). Select 2 of the following:

• INTL 5050 Comparative Politics (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5580 Politics of Development (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5625 Middle East Area Studies (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5605 Topics in Comparative Politics: EU Foreign Policy (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5605 Topics in Comparative Politics: The European Union and Asia Pacific
• INTL 5605 Topics in Comparative Politics: The State and the Arts in the EU and the US
• INTL 5635 Western European Area Studies (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5645 Asian Area Studies (7.5 ECTS)

Module 3: Electives (7.5 ECTS)

Students must earn a minimum of 7.5 ECTS from any of the courses below or any additional courses from the Cluster module. The courses listed below are serve as an example; actual courses offered may vary.

• INGO 5000 Non-Governmental Organizations (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5500 Professional Seminars (1-7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5610 Non-Thesis Readings/Research (7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 5300 Field Work (1-7.5 ECTS)
• INTL 6500 Internship (1-7.5 ECTS)

Module 4: Thesis (15 ECTS)

• INTL 6250 Master Thesis

Please see WVPU’S Thesis Guidelines (PDF opens in new tab) for more information on the Thesis requirements, as well as the International Relations’ Department Graduate Thesis Guidelines on Connections (for current students).

For a detailed description and a roadmap of the program, please see the Study Plan and Regulations (PDF opens in new tab).

Full course descriptions, individual learning outcomes, details about ECTS, weekly study schedules, and assessment criteria are available in each course syllabus, available via Courses@WVPU.