Brook O'Brien-Meza
Norwich Graduate, Class of 2018

Master of Arts in International Relations

Develop a Worldview with Real-World Application

You only have to look at the crises happening around the world to see that international relations affects us all. That’s why we’re preparing global leaders for large-scale engagement. With our online Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR), you can become one of them.

As the oldest private military college in the nation, our perspective on international relations is unlike that of any other school. Our online MAIR curriculum uniquely positions you to explore the political, economic, and cultural issues impacting today’s global stage and prepares you for a meaningful academic or professional career working across the ever-changing international arena.

Download a free brochure for more information about this program.

Degree

Master of Arts

Concentrations

Cyber Diplomacy
International Development
International Security
National Security
Regions of the World

Quick Info

Week Residency

Visit campus for culminating experience

Students

Maximum number of students per class

Months

Average time to program completion

June

Next Start Date

May

Application Deadline

Why Norwich?

Learn from expert faculty members.

Tailor your learning with five concentration options.

Showcase your expertise with our practice-oriented curriculum and master's research paper.

Learn how to analyze and apply data, understand international relations theories and laws, and dig into research and topics that matter most to you.

Apply to one of four start dates.

Benefit from a university recognized as offering Best Value with respect to high academic quality and low net cost of attendance, according to U.S. News & World Report.*

*Rankings are based on undergraduate programs and on students who received the average level of need-based finanical aid.

Accreditation & Recognition

Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).

Recognized for academic excellence, U.S. News & World Report ranks Norwich University in the top 100 for Regional Universities in the North. Rankings are based on undergraduate programs.

Scholarship Opportunities

Norwich University offers a range of opportunities to help you lower your overall tuition costs. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about the below options. Please note that scholarships are not additive. In addition to the below scholarships, students may also be eligible for discounts if their organization partners with Norwich University.

Achievement Scholarship

Recognizing your past academic and professional achievements, the Achievement Scholarship is for newly enrolled students. You could receive a $4,200 scholarship, which will be distributed equally over the courses of the program. To be considered for this scholarship opportunity, submit your application package (application form, resume, letter of intent, and essay (if applicable)) for your program of interest at least one week prior to the upcoming application deadline. The Scholarship Selection Committee will review all application materials and select the recipient.

Norwich Alumni Scholarship

Norwich University alumni and their spouses, parents, and children are eligible to receive our Alumni Scholarship. The scholarship is award for each term of enrollment at $425 per term.

Active Duty Military Scholarship

Active duty, National Guard, and Reserve personnel are eligible to receive a $250 award for each term of enrollment in an online master’s degree program.

Help us learn more about your experience and see if you qualify for the Master of Arts in International Relations program.

Pre-Qualify

Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Norwich’s 33-credit MAIR program is comprised of five, 11-week courses. Instead of a core curriculum, your first courses are focused in the concentration of your choice and then followed by one elective course. Students master one course at a time, to create a strong foundation of knowledge and context for future topics.

Our graduates can:

Develop a worldview with real-world application.
Gain a command of the dominant theories that impact foreign relations, and learn how to leverage qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to build compelling cases based on reliable insights and exercise your influence with high credibility.
Graduate with a leadership mindset.
Develop the situational leadership skills to operate across intricate international settings by studying the multidimensional aspects of culture, economics, politics and the distribution of power influencing our modern society.
Understand the intricacies of international relations.
Learn to consider events from a wide variety of perspectives, evaluate societal consequences and excel in your area of interest.

Which degree is right for you? International relations or diplomacy?
International relations is a broad field. If you career goals center soley on diplomatic processess, explore our online Master of Arts in Diplomacy program.

Choose Your Online MAIR Concentration

Select a concentration that fits your career and professional goals.

International Security

Focus on the protection of nations on an international level through foreign policies and world politics. To pursue studies in international security, you will complete the following courses.

National Security

Focus on the protection of nations on a national level through foreign policies and world politics. To pursue studies in national security, you will complete the following courses.

International Development

Study global economic systems, human rights, globalization, and how each relates to a nation’s development. To pursue studies in international development, you will complete the following courses.

Courses are cross-listed with the Master of Arts in Diplomacy and the Master of Public Administration program.

Economics and the International System
GD530 6 credit hours

You will explore the international economic system, examine the impact of modernization within the system, and investigate the controversy over the concept of globalization and the debate of free trade versus protectionism. You will become familiar with the international financial network and its institutions. Special attention will be given to Third World development issues and the concept of economics as a tool of diplomacy and military power.

Cyber Diplomacy

Learn about international law and cyber warfare, which includes cyber espionage, cyber terrorism, and cyber activism.

The cyberdiplomacy coursework will be taught from the curriculum in the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program. Courses are cross-listed with the Master of Arts in Diplomacy program.

Law and the International System
GD520 6 credit hours

You will explore the structure of the international system as defined by its rules and guidelines. The course presents an introduction to international law terminology and its history and theory. Laws surrounding conflict, war, war crimes, and the rising areas of international law, environmental law, and laws concerning humanitarian intervention will be explored. Of special interest will be laws pertaining to human rights.

Regions of the World

Specialize your understanding of the issues, debates, and events pertinent to a specific world region; choose from eight world regions. To pursue studies of a region of the world, you will complete the following courses.

Residency

The final academic requirement for the international relations program is a residency at the beautiful and historic Norwich University campus in Vermont. Students have the opportunity to meet with fellow students, faculty, and program staff in both formal classroom and informal settings. Academic recognition ceremonies and commencement cap off the week, and family and friends are encouraged to attend.

Norwich covers the cost of all meals and accommodation on campus.

Admissions

At a Glance

No GRE/GMAT required
Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher

Admissions Requirements »

Contact Admissions

Call: 1-877-348-8153
Email: info@online.norwich.edu

Transfer Credits
You may receive the equivalent of up to 12 semester credits for study conducted elsewhere. Norwich complies with VA regulations and guidelines as it pertains to transfer credits.

Transfer More Credits »
International Admissions
Norwich University welcomes students from all countries who want to study through our online programs. You must complete all steps in the admissions process.

International Admissions »
Norwich Alumni Benefits
Reconnect with Norwich to complete your master's degree. As apart of our alumni community, you are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship and other benefits.

Connect with our advisors »

Non-Discrimination Statement

Norwich University, in compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.

Tuition & Fees

Overview

When applying for the Master of Arts in International Relations program at Norwich University, there are two essential factors to consider: what does it cost, and how can you pay for it? There are many ways to get financial assistance and several financial strategies that can help you achieve your academic and professional goals. We are here to help you identify and pursue the options that are best for you.

Tuition at a Glance

Credit Hours: 33
Cost Per Credit Hour: $767

Financial Aid Resources

Ways to Pay
Do You Qualify for a Tuition Discount?
We Accept Military Benefits

2020-21 Tuition and Fee Schedule - Master's Programs

Rate Per Credit	Term Tuition	Additional Expenses	Total
$767	$4,602	Technology - $300/term Library - $75/term Graduation - $150/one-time	$27,711

Careers & Outcomes

Career Opportunities for Master of Arts in International Relations Graduates

At Norwich, you can prepare for a meaningful academic or professional career working across the ever-changing international arena. In 2016, Forbes.com ranked international relations among the top 25 "Best Master's Degrees for Jobs."

Our graduates have pursued a variety of roles, including:

Career Roles

Campaign Operative
Corporate Public Affairs Advisor
Corporate Adviser for Governmental Relations
Federal Government Analyst
Financial Consultant
Foreign Ambassador
Intelligence Analyst
International Research Specialist
Journalist
Lobbyist
Policy Advisor
Public Affairs Research Analyst
Public Opinion Analyst
Publisher
Research Analyst or Associate
State Government Advisor
Teacher

As international relations experts, our alumni must be well-versed in many areas, including:

Areas of Skills

Diplomacy
Economics
Global studies
Human rights
Philosophy
Politics
Psychology

How much can you earn with a MAIR degree?

Employers today appreciate leaders with a global perspective. That's why careers associated with this degree are projected to grow at a steady rate from 2014 to 2024 (Forbes.com). According to Payscale.com, mid-career professionals working in the international relations field earn a median salary of $97,500.

Faculty & Staff

Our online International Relations program is led by a faculty of experts covering a wide range of international relations topics, including international systems, conflict avoidance and resolution, political theory, and foreign policy. Each are here, from beginning to end, to help you reach your academic, professional, and personal goals.

We have an in-house instructional design team that work hand-in-hand with program faculty and staff to ensure an efficient and interactive online learning experience in each course.

Program Director

Lasha Tchantouridzé, PhD

Dr. Lasha Tchantouridzé is Professor and Director of the graduate programs in Diplomacy and International Relations. He is also a Davis Center Associate, Harvard University, Boston, MA; Research Fellow, the Center for Defence and Security Studies, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; and Advisory Board Member of Peace & War Center at Norwich University. He earned his PhD in International Relations from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Tchantouridzé’s research interests are at the intersection of diplomacy and force in international politics, and his academic publications are in the areas of geopolitics, Russian foreign policy, Canadian foreign policy, the Arctic, the Black Sea basin, international politics in the Caucasus, and NATO-Russia relations.

Recent Publications:

“The Black Sea question in Russo-Turkish Relations,” in Contemporary Russo-Turkish Relations: From Crisis to Cooperation, ed. by Ali Askerov, Lexington Books, 2018.

“Contending Policies of Russia and Turkey: The Syrian Crisis,” co-authored with Ali Askerov, in Contemporary Russo-Turkish Relations: From Crisis to Cooperation, ed. by Ali Askerov, Lexington Books, 2018.

“Appeasement of Russia and the Return of Great Power Politics in Europe,” Eastern Europe – Regional Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2017.

“საპარლამენტო სისტემის პრობლემები განვითარებადი დემოკრატიის პირობებში” (“Problems of the Parliamentary System in Developing Democracies,” in Georgian), პოლიტიკა (Politics), 2017, Vol. 1, No. 3.

“Unipolarity: End of an Error,” in Michael Hawes and Christopher Kirkey, eds. Canadian Foreign Policy in a Unipolar World. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2016.

“Canada’s Northern Dilemma: Resurgent Russia and the Competition over the Arctic,” Asian Journal of Canadian Studies, Vol. 21, No. 2, fall 2014.

“Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan: Comparing Canadian and Soviet Efforts,” International Journal, a special issue: Canada and Afghanistan: a Political, Diplomatic, Security, Economic & Social Assessment, Volume LXVIII, No. 2, summer 2013.

“Unipolarity: Theories, Images, and Canada’s Foreign Policy Priorities” Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, Volume 18, Issue 2, 2012.

“Political Economy of Kyrgyzstan’s Domestic (In)Stability,” The Journal of Central Asian Studies, Srinagar, Kashmir, Vol. XX, No. 1, 2011, pp. 89-102.

“Realpolitik and the Russo-Georgian War: Three Years On,” with Ryan Dessayn, Central Asia and the Caucasus 13 (1) 2012.
In Russian: Лаша Чантуридзе и Р. Дессейнь, «Realpolitik и война России с Грузией: Три года спустя,» Центральная Азия и Кавказ 15 (1), 2012.

“Canada and the New Russian-European Condominium,” Canadian Military Journal, Vol. 11, No. 3.
In French: “Le nouveau condominium russo-européen : Réévaluer les engagements pris par le Canada envers l’Europe en matière de défense,” Revue Militaire Canadienne, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2011.

Courses:

GD510 Theory and the International System
GD542 Terrorism: Introduction and State Sponsored Terrorism
GD560 Military Intervention and Conflict Management in the International System
IR510 World Politics – International Relations
IR531 National Security

Meet Lasha »

Alumni

Our first graduates of the Master of Arts in International Relations program finished in 2017. Below are graduates from our Master of Arts in Diplomacy program whom interacted with faculty and program staff from the MAIR program.

Featured Alumni

This degree has enriched me beyond belief. I have become an educational role model for my daughters – its never too late or too hard to go after what you want.

Maria Grove
Class of 2017

The proficiency, commitment, and diversity of the faculty and administration are unparalleled. Every member of the Norwich staff demonstrated real dedication to support and assist students in the graduate program, wherever located throughout the world and despite associated logistical hurdles.

Laura Heller
Class of 2014

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses can I take in the international relations program?

Students can choose from a variety of courses specific to their interests in the field of international relations. Course topics include international terrorism, human rights and conflict, world politics and the international system.

What concentrations may I specialize in?

Students can choose one of five concentrations: international security, national security, international development, cyber diplomacy or regions of the world.

Is there a major research project?

Under the direction of a Norwich faculty member, students will complete a master’s research paper (MRP) on a research topic of their choice within the field of international relations.

How long is the international relations program?

The program’s five courses take approximately 18 months to complete. Depending on when you start the program, you can expect your degree to be conferred in 18 to 24 months.

How are the international relations program faculty members selected?

International Relations program instructors hold terminal degrees from established universities. They must demonstrate a wide range of university/college-level teaching experience, a strong research record, and solid, practical experience in international relations.

What are the eligibility requirements for applying to the program?

A bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by WES, IERF, SpanTran, or CED.
A GRE score is not required but may be requested based on your undergraduate GPA.
If English was not the language of previous degree study, proof of English language proficiency and minimum TOEFL scores of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test, or iBT) are required unless otherwise noted in specific articulation agreements.

How much is the online MAIR program?

Price per credit: $767
Term tuition: $4,602
Technology fee: $300/term
Library fee: $75/term
Graduation fee (one-time): $150
Total program cost (6 terms): $27,711

Does Norwich accept transfer credits?

When you apply for admission to the online Master of Arts in International Relations program, you can submit transcripts and course outlines from previously attended institutions of higher education to be considered for transfer credits. Transfer credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be accepted for up to 12 credits.