International Affairs and Leadership, MA

30 credit hours including the required capstone course (IAL 560)

Required Core (9 credit hours)
IAL 501 Principles of Character-Driven Leadership (3)
IAL 502 The Making of U.S. National Security Policy (3)
IAL 503 Applied International Leadership: Case Studies (3)

Electives (18 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
IAL 560 Capstone (3)

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants are required to submit:

1. graduate admission application and application fee
2. official transcripts
3. letter of intent
4. professional resume
5. writing sample
6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

GRE or GMAT results are not required but can be submitted as an additional application material. ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.

Applicants should have a deep-rooted interest in international issues of the future and a desire to influence them through character-driven leadership within the context of an increasingly complicated, globalized world. Ideal candidates have previous leadership experience and plan to devote their careers to working with other cultures and nations across a variety of sectors. While an ideal candidate has previous experience traveling or living overseas or has studied a language other than English, candidates with no prior experience in these areas are also welcome to apply. Both international and domestic students are encouraged to apply.

Using the letter of intent, applicants should narrate their own leadership journeys and their motivations for further studies in the areas of international affairs and leadership. The letter of intent should describe applicants' academic and professional interests to date, their reasons for pursuing a master's degree in international affairs and leadership, and how this advanced degree relates to their specific future goals.

The application review panel also reviews the applicant's writing skills. The writing sample could be an original essay or previously written research paper, essay, policy memo, or other document that demonstrates the applicant's writing and analytical skills.

Graduates are prepared to succeed in a wide variety of international affairs professions. Opportunities include foreign policy positions at the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Defense, and leadership positions in international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Career opportunities include:

• Capitol Hill staff member
• foreign service officer
• human rights expert (nongovernmental organization, think tank, USG, etc.)
• international development expert (USAID, World Bank, etc.)
• military officer or noncommissioned officer in strategic, special or tactical operations