Understanding international affairs requires a variety of views.
Master of Arts in International Affairs
This flexible master’s program prepares you for a variety of careers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. You’ll choose from two tracks:
- Globalization, Development, and Social Justice
- International Public Policy
You begin with a foundation of core courses in political economy, social science methods, and public policy; then customize your program coursework with a choice of five electives from across the college. Program credits can also be used to complete a graduate certificate in either Public Policy Analysis or Nonprofit Sector Philanthropy and Social Change.
What sets Northeastern University’s MA in International Affairs program apart?
- World-class faculty who are leading scholars, researchers, and practitioners
- Choice of two tracks to align with your interests and career goals
- Courses across the social sciences and in public policy for a well-rounded experience
- Opportunity to utilize course credits to earn an optional graduate certificate
- Research collaboration and experiential learning as part of the curriculum
- Opportunity for full-time work experience through our optional co-op program
Talk to an Enrollment Counsellor
Entry Term
Credits Required for Graduation
36 (38 with optional co-op)
Format: In person, online, or hybrid
Schedule: Full time or part time
Application Deadlines
Domestic Students:
- Fall: August 15
- Spring: December 15
International Students:
- Fall: June 15
- Spring: October 1
Ready to Learn More?
Request information about our MA in International Affairs program, and discover how you can launch or advance your career.
Interdisciplinary Program
Today’s global society requires perspectives that go far beyond any one academic field. Our rigorous, interdisciplinary program takes a holistic approach to understanding the world, incorporating coursework from across disciplines in the social sciences and humanities.
Through your core courses, track requirements, and electives, you will have opportunities to take classes in different departments in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, learning from faculty with a variety of research interests.
About Northeastern
Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.
Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 13 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 320,000-plus alumni, and more than 3,800 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.
Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment.
Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.