Green Leaf

The Global Affairs MA is an interdisciplinary program offering students the opportunity to engage in advanced study of a broad range of global issues. Students complete a core curriculum that provides the knowledge and skills to think and act globally. Students also pursue specializations that include relevant courses from academic departments across the university. All students in the program take part in a residency abroad, typically two weeks in duration, and complete a capstone seminar. Graduates enter the workforce or move forward in their already-established international and domestic careers in the public sector, non-governmental organizations, and business.

This is a Green Leaf program.

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For specific information, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Students who wish to pursue study abroad in addition to the required core course GLOA 710 Seminar Abroad  must receive prior approval and may not use more than 3 credits earned while abroad towards their specialization. A maximum of 3 credits of GLOA 695 Internship can be applied to the specialization.

Students must maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average with no more than two grades below B. 

Banner Code: LA-MA-GLOA

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30

This is a Green Leaf program.

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Core Courses

GLOA 600Global Competencies3
GLOA 605Interdisciplinary Research Methods3
GLOA 610Economic Globalization and Development3
GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization3
GLOA 710Seminar Abroad3
Total Credits15

Specialization

Students choose to specialize in one of eight fields by completing 12 credits in that field selected from the courses listed. The specialization is developed in consultation with an advisor. Students who wish to design their own specialization must submit a one-page proposal and receive written approval from the director.

Global Conflict and Security

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Advanced Topics in Global Health Security (minimum of 3 credits)
Ethics and International Security
Intelligence: Theory and Practice
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security
Nonproliferation and Arms Control
Examining Terrorist Groups
Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction
Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Conflict Analysis and Resolution for Prevention, Reconstruction, and Stabilization Contexts
World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution
Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Leadership in Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution
Globalization and International Conflict
International Negotiation
International Security
Management of International Security
International Conflict and Crisis Response
Peace and Stabilization Operations
or other course approved by the program director
Total Credits12

Global Culture and Society

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Environmental Anthropology
Regional Ethnography
Culture, Power, and Conflict
Gender and Violence
Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution
Seminar in Global Culture
Comparative Politics
Democratic Theory
Issues in Comparative and International Politics
Approaches to Modern World History
Problems in Global History
Problems in American History
Topics in World Musics
Interreligious Dialogue
Issues in Religious Ethics
Racial and Ethnic Relations: American and Selected Global Perspectives
Sport in the Global Marketplace
Transnational Issues of Gender and Race
or other course approved by the program director
Total Credits12

Global Economics and Development

This specialization is best suited for students with an academic background in economics or for students who have taken microeconomics, macroeconomics, and calculus with a minimum grade of 3.00 in all three.

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Conflict in Development
Microeconomic Theory
Microeconomic Theory II
Macroeconomic Theory
Comparative Economic Systems
Environmental Policy
Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy
Microeconomics and Trade Policy
Global Financial Crises and Institutions
Global Trade Relations
Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy
Political Economy and Integration in Latin America
International Political Economy
Global Development and Human Security
Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice
Total Credits12

Global Education

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Introduction to Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners
Education and Culture
Theories of Learning and Cognition
Culture and Intelligence
Seminar in Global Culture
Society and Education
Or other course approved by the program director
Total Credits12

Global Governance and Public Management

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Nonproliferation and Arms Control
Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy
European Political and Economic Union
International Relations
Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions
Advanced Seminar in International Politics
International Negotiation
The NGO: Policy and Management
Cross-Cultural and Ethical Dimensions of International Management
Governance and Policy Processes
Theory and Practice in Public Policy
Global Governance
Or other course approved by the program director
Total Credits12

Global Health

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Intercultural Health and Risk Communication
Global Health
Environmental Health
HIV/AIDS: Concepts, Principles, and Interventions
Health Program Planning and Evaluation (Mason Core)
Global Infectious Diseases
U.S. and Global Public Health Systems
Health Geography
Comparative International Health Systems
Global Nutrition
Public Policy in Global Health and Medical Practice
Global Threats and Medical Policies
Or other course approved by the program director
Total Credits12

Global Media and Information Technology

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Theories of Public Relations
New Technologies in the Global Economy
Special Topics in International Commerce and Policy
Culture, Organization, and Technology
Telecommunications Policy
International Migration and Public Policy
Or other course approved by the program director
Total Credits12

Global Population and Geography

GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization (different topic from that meeting core requirement)3
or GLOA 599 Issues in Global Affairs
Select 9 credits from the following:9
Environmental Anthropology
Transportation Geography
Issues in Regional Geography
Health Geography
Geospatial Science Fundamentals
Selected Topics in Geography
Spatial Agent-Based Models of Human-Environment Interactions
Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis for Public Policy
Immigration Policy
Or other course approved by the program director
Total Credits12

Capstone Seminar

GLOA 720Capstone Research Seminar3
Total Credits3

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking foreign languages or global affairs with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Foreign Languages, MA and Global Affairs, MA Dual Degree

The Department of Foreign Languages and the Global Affairs Program offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Foreign languages MA (concentration in French, Spanish, or Spanish-bilingual/multicultural education) and the Global Affairs MA in a minimum of 48 credits rather than the minimum of 60 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Students pursuing a dual master's program linking the Foreign Languages MA with a concentration in French, Spanish, or Spanish bilingual/multicultural education with the Global Affairs MA can share 12 credits between the two programs.

Students interested in pursuing a dual master's program linking global affairs or interdisciplinary studies (concentration in women and gender studies) with a discipline other than that listed below should discuss their interest with the graduate program directors of both programs and review the university policies in AP.6.9.6.

Global Affairs, MA and Interdisciplinary Studies, MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) Dual Degree

The Global Affairs and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs offer a dual master's program where a student can earn both a Global Affairs MA and the Interdisciplinary Studies MAIS (concentration in women and gender studies) in 54 credits rather than 66 credits. This program is governed by university policy AP.6.9.6

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to this dual master's program see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Requirements

Total credits: 54

Required Global Affairs Courses

GLOA 600Global Competencies3
GLOA 610Economic Globalization and Development3
GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization3
GLOA 710Seminar Abroad3
Select three courses from the chosen specialization for the global affairs MA9
Total Credits21

Required Women and Gender Studies Courses

WMST 630Feminist Theories3
WMST 640Transnational Issues of Gender and Race3
Select one course in critical race studies from the following:3
Critical Race Studies
Representations of Race
Genealogy of Black Feminist Thought
Policing Black Bodies
Policing Black Bodies
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies
Special Topics
Select one course in bodies and sexualities from the following:3
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies
Queer Theory
Select one course in transnational and global perspectives from the following:3
Transnational Sexualities
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration
Sociology of Globalization
Social Justice and Equity in International Education
Select 9 credits in elective courses chosen from the following and not used to fulfill another requirement:9
Gender, Sexuality, and Disability
Transnational Sexualities
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration
Current Topics in Women and Gender Studies
Special Topics
Queer Theory
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights
Internship
Total Credits24

Required Methods Course 

Select one from the following:3
Interdisciplinary Research Methods
Feminist Research Methods
Total Credits3

Capstone

Select one of the following:3
Capstone Research Seminar
Integrated Learning Experience
Total Credits3

Project or Thesis

Select one of the following:3
Interdisciplinary Studies Project (take 3 credits)
Interdisciplinary Studies Thesis (take 3 credits)
Total Credits3

Total Credits: 54

Bachelor's Degree (any)/Global Affairs, Accelerated MA

Overview

Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and an MA in Global Affairs in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Polices and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to the accelerated MA in global affairs, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and after meeting the following:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
  • Enrolled in or have completed a foreign language course 202 or higher with a minimum grade of C- prior to graduation with the BA (or other evidence of proficiency in foreign language).

Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
  • ​Successfully met Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completed the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
Required Course
GLOA 600Global Competencies3
Additional Optional Courses
GLOA 610Economic Globalization and Development3
GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization 13
GLOA 599Issues in Global Affairs 21-6
Other specialization course after GLOA 600 and GLOA 605 have been completed with the permission of the program.
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
GLOA 599Issues in Global Affairs 21-6
GLOA 605Interdisciplinary Research Methods3
GLOA 615Case Studies in Globalization3
500- or 600-level courses approved for student's specialization
1

First 3 credits taken to fulfill the GLOA 615 requirement. May be repeated one time for another 3 credits as a specialization course, with permission of program.

2

As a specialization course.

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.

Program Outcomes

  • Students will be able to develop an original research question based on knowledge gained through coursework and extra-curricular experiences that is relevant to global studies.
  • Students will be able to apply theoretical frameworks from multiple disciplines to analyze issues and challenges relevant to globalization.
  • Students will be able to summarize key questions or issues in globalization and global studies.
  • Students will be able to identify and break down assumptions made about global processes or dynamics.
  • Students will be able to evaluate global ethical, social, and environmental problems and challenges and the influence of human actions on them and to use necessary analytical skills to propose appropriate solutions.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods prominent in the social sciences.
  • Students will be able to construct an informed research project and to conduct research in an ethical manner.
  • Students will be able to synthesize information from various credible sources and present information clearly and concisely in written or oral forms that are understandable for the audience.