UAlbany’s Rockefeller College to Offer Master of International Affairs

New Professional Degree Will Be the First of Its Kind in SUNY System

The program offers a broad  foundation in international relations theory, policy analysis, economics, management, and quantitative methods, as well as experience gained through internships and capstone projects.

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 17, 2016) -- The University at Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy announces the launch of its new Master of International Affairs program, designed to prepare students for careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors within countries as well as in relations between them.

The multidisciplinary professional program offers a broad educational foundation in international relations theory, policy analysis, economics, management, and quantitative methods, as well as practical experience gained through internships and capstone projects. It combines traditional classroom instruction with distance learning, in Albany on the University’s downtown campus, and in New York City at the State University of New York Global Center.

"Rockefeller College is excited to pioneer a professional international affairs program within the vast SUNY system," said Rockefeller Interim Dean R. Karl Rethemeyer. "Our Master of International Affairs is a joint venture between the College’s Departments of Public Administration & Policy and Political Science, bringing together experience in financial and public management and expertise in global trade and international development. We’re particularly interested in helping pre-service students and professionals relatively new to the field establish careers in international affairs."

The college's latest academic offering is a natural extension of SUNY and the World, one of the six big ideas outlined in SUNY’s strategic plan that seeks to create a globally competent student body by increasing opportunities for international exposure throughout all SUNY courses and degrees. In the globalized economy, students with a broad cultural and international perspective have distinct competitive advantages.

"International education provides us with a rich avenue for enhancing the things we as educators are most focused on now, which is expanding educational access, ensuring degree completion, and supporting student success," said SUNY Assistant Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs Sally Crimmins Villela. "It’s wonderful for us to be able to offer the Master in International Affairs opportunity for students in here in New York State."

The Master of International Affairs curriculum consists of 12 full-semester classes (48 credit hours), including concentration options that allow students to focus the degree toward their personal career goals with options in diplomacy and global governance; global economic policy; global public management; and global and homeland security.

"This degree is for individuals who are interested in governance worldwide," said Program Director Rey Koslowski, an associate professor of political science at Rockefeller College and an expert in global migration and international affairs. "Global governance, however, isn’t just about cooperative state-to-state relations. Governance is much more complex, both at the international level and within countries. There are all kinds of actors involved. In this master’s program, we hope to embrace that complexity."

The program's blended learning approach is intended to offer students more course options and greater flexibility for study. Students will attend traditional classes in Albany or New York City, and also have the opportunity to participate in courses via web conferencing.

Rockefeller's Master of International Affairs may be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students will normally complete the program in two years by taking three courses each semester and a summer internship. Part-time students enrolling in two courses per semester could complete the program in three years. Part-time, working professionals can take advantage of evening courses to complete the degree; the internship requirement may be waived for those with two years of related work experience.

Applications are now being accepted for the fall 2016 semester. Visit Rockefeller College’s Master of International Affairs to learn more.

About Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy

The Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany has consistently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's premier schools of public affairs. The College offers undergraduate- and graduate-level study in public administration, public policy, and political science.

For more news, subscribe to UAlbany's RSS headline feeds