Combined M.A. in Asian Studies/Ph.D. in IR Degree Pathway

The combined M.A. in Asian Studies/Ph.D. in International Relations pathway allows qualified graduate students to pursue both degrees simultaneously. To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application for the M.A. in Asian Studies/Ph.D. in International Relations by January 15 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies. Applicants must meet the admission eligibility requirements and follow the admission procedures for both programs.

Students must fulfill the requirements for both programs, and up to 33 credits may count for both degrees. To graduate, students must complete the requirements of the International Relations doctoral program, including the required 75 hours.

In addition to the requirements for the two degrees, during their first two years of enrollment in this combined degree pathway, students will enroll in the following course which fulfills the M.A. in Asian Studies methods requirement:

  • INR 5615 Research Design in International Relations

The following International Relations courses will also be taken by MA in Asian Studies students during the first two years of the program and will count toward the MA:

  • INR 5609 Contemporary Dynamics of International Relations
  • INR 6706 Political Economy of International Relations

Master of Arts in Asian Studies Requirements

(30 credits Thesis Option/30 credits Non-Thesis Option)

Core Courses: (24 credits)

  • 9 credits of ASN 5000 or 6000 courses approved by the Director
  • 9 credits pertaining to world affairs
  • 6 credits in Asian area studies

MAAS offers two exit options, Thesis or Non-Thesis

Thesis Exit Option (6 credits):

ASN 6972 Master's Thesis

Non-Thesis Exit Option: (6 credits)

ASN 6912 Master's Essay (3 credits and one additional course (3 credits)

Master’s Essay can be taken multiple times. Some students may be encouraged to develop their research projects by taking this course

Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations (75 credits)

Core Courses: (15 credits)

  • INR 5609 Contemporary Dynamics of International Relations (3)
  • INR 5615 Research Design in International Relations (3)
  • INR 6604 International Relations Theory I (3)
  • INR 6608 Contemporary International Relations Theory (3)

Second methods course from the following list (or another methods course approved by the Graduate Program Director):

INR 5616 Qualitative and Interpretive Methods in International Relations
POS 5706 Graduate Seminar in Political Science Research Methods

ECO 7424 Econometric Methods I

ANG 6480 Ethnohistorical Research Methods

ANG 6497 Qualitative Research Methods

GIS 5935 Topics in GIS

PAD 7705 Applied Quantitative Analysis I

PAD 7707 Applied Quantitative Analysis II

PAD 7703C Empirical Methods in Public Administration

Gateway courses (9 credits)

There are four major field of study: (1) Global Political Economy and Development (2) Comparative Area Studies (3) Foreign Policy and Security Studies, and (4) Global Governance, International Law and International Ethics. Student must take one gateway course for three of these fields. Gateway courses for each field are:

(1) INR 6706 Political Economy of International Relations

(2) INR 5017 Approaches to Area Studies

(3) INR 6338 Strategic Studies

(4) INR 5409 International Law I

or

INR 5507 International Organizations

Major and Minor Fields: (15 credits)

9 credits in major field of study

6 credits in minor field of study

Electives: (15 credits)

Additional elective coursework

Comprehensive Exams (6 credits)

Once students have achieved 60 credits, they must sit for written examination on the core sequence of their fields

Dissertation: (15 credits)

INR 7980 Ph.D. Dissertation