Online Master of Arts in International Affairs and Leadership

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor’s program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master’s program.

All applicants must submit:

• Graduate admission application and application fee.
• Official transcripts.
• Personal statement.
• Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
• Writing sample.

In the statement of purpose/letter of intent (1–2 pages), applicants should describe or explain their motivations to study 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.

Writing sample: Applicants must submit a 3–5 page, double-spaced writing sample. The writing sample could be an original essay or a previously written research paper, essay, policy memo or other document that demonstrates the applicant's writing and analytical skills.

The admissions committee will also reach out to potential admits for an interview via Zoom, so an applicant should closely monitor their email for communication regarding scheduling.

The GRE is not required, but applicants can submit their scores to provide additional information to the admissions committee.

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

If you have any questions, contact Rod Moore, Program Director, at roderick.moore@asu.edu, Ashley Wright, Program Manager, at ashley.a.wright@asu.edu or Zoe Zarola, Program Coordinator, at zzarola@asu.edu.

A master’s in international affairs can prepare you for roles across government, defense, intelligence and international organizations. Graduates may also pursue careers in national security, foreign service, public policy, international development, think tanks and global business. This program focuses on developing practical skills in diplomacy, policy analysis and leadership that can be applied to these international roles and career paths.

In this online master’s in international affairs, you’ll develop knowledge in areas such as diplomatic tradecraft, national security policy, intelligence, international law and global human rights. Courses emphasize real-world application through case studies, simulations and policy analysis exercises. As you build analytical and decision-making skills, you’ll explore topics that range from national security strategy and international negotiations to regional affairs.

Yes. This program offers opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts. You may participate in Washington Week in Washington, D.C., collaborate with international students, complete internships for credit or conduct independent research. Some students also participate in the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomacy Lab, where they contribute to policy research and present findings to government stakeholders.

This program is a Master of Arts in international affairs and leadership. It focuses on practical skills in diplomacy, national security and policy decision-making. While closely related to international relations programs, this degree emphasizes applied learning and leadership development in global affairs.

Interested in exploring more options or looking to specialize further? ASU offers several related online programs in international relations and global security:

• If you’re just starting your academic journey, you can build a foundation in global politics and diplomacy with the Bachelor of Arts in international relations.
• For those interested in adding specialized expertise, the graduate certificate in global security provides focused coursework in security strategy and policy.
• You can also pursue a more specialized graduate path with the online Master of Arts in global security, which emphasizes security studies and strategic analysis in a global context.

These programs can complement your interests in international affairs and leadership, whether you’re beginning your education or advancing your expertise in global policy and security.