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    4. Graduate Programs

    International Affairs (MAIA)

    UNG offers a 36-credit-hour Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) degree designed to provide an advanced understanding of the international systems along with a focus on the multiple facets of global security issues such as terrorism, strategic security policy, the examination of economic elements of security, and the theories which define the field of international affairs.

    The degree provides students the research and analytical skills to help them to advance in their profession or begin to explore a career in international affairs.

    All program instruction for the MAIA program is delivered online.

    Request Information Apply Attend a Virtual Information Session

    MAIA Program Quick Facts

    • Online program, no campus visit required
    • Asynchronous online classes
    • Program length 36 credit hours
    • Open to enrollment any semester
    • Courses offered within a two-year rotation
    • GRE not required with minimum GPA
    • Individuals with backgrounds in any major may apply

    Program Application Deadline

    All application materials are to be received prior to the deadline. If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. Completing your application earlier is better.

    Fall Deadline

    • August 1

    Spring Deadline

    • December 1

    Summer Deadline

    • May 1

    How to Apply to UNG's MAIA Program

    • Degree Seeking Regular

      Requirements

      • Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
      • OR 
      • Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and a minimum score of 301 (verbal and quantitative sections combined) on the GRE.
      • OR 
      • Earned graduate degree (M.A., M.S., J.D., Ph.D.) from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog).
      • Required Supplemental Documents
        • Two UNG recommendation forms.
        • A 600-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MAIA degree and any background in the field of international affairs.

      Applying to UNG

      • Step 1Application and Application Fee
      • Step 2Official Transcripts
      • Step 3Official Entrance Test Score
      • Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
      • Step 5Graduate Assistants
      • Step 6Persons Aged 62 or Over

      Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

      Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

      • Non-refundable application fee of $40.
      • Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
      • Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
      • Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

      Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

      • Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
      • Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
      • Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
      • Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
      • International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. 
      • Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

      University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 5497 for submitting official GRE scores - only if the GRE is to be used as a basis for admission. Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.

      Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

      Learn More

      Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG? 

      • Visit UNG's Job Site and select Grad Assistant to view available positions. 
      • When prompted on the Graduate Admissions application, select "Yes" to be added to our email communications about upcoming positions. 
      • Graduate assistants are required to have health insurance. For additional information, visit USG Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

      Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to determine eligibility.
      • Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
      • May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

      Learn More

    • Degree Seeking Provisional

      Applicants who do not have at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures may qualify for provisional admission.

      Requirements

      • Letter stating the student is applying for provisional admission and detailing the reasons why the program should admit the student provisionally and the steps the student will take to ensure success in the program.
      • Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog).
      • Required Supplemental Documents
        • Two UNG recommendation forms.
        • A 600-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MAIA degree and any background in the field of international affairs.
        • Letter requesting consideration for provisional admission procedures and detailing the reasons why the program should admit the student provisionally and the steps the student will take to ensure success in the program.

      Provisional degree-seeking students

      • may register for a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit.
      • will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of the first semester enrolled.
      • are not eligible for federal financial aid while enrolled in courses as a provisional student.
      • will not be allowed to continue in the program if a grade of C or lower is earned in any graduate course.
      • may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.

      Applying to UNG

      • Step 1Application and Application Fee
      • Step 2Official Transcripts
      • Step 3Official Entrance Test Score
      • Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
      • Step 5Graduate Assistants
      • Step 6Persons Aged 62 or Over

      Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

      Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

      • Non-refundable application fee of $40.
      • Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
      • Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
      • Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

      Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

      • Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
      • Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
      • Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
      • Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
      • International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. 
      • Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

      University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 5497 for submitting official GRE scores - only if the GRE is to be used as a basis for admission. Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.

      Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

      Learn More

      Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG? 

      • Visit UNG's Job Site and select Grad Assistant to view available positions. 
      • When prompted on the Graduate Admissions application, select "Yes" to be added to our email communications about upcoming positions. 
      • Graduate assistants are required to have health insurance. For additional information, visit USG Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

      Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to determine eligibility.
      • Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
      • May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

      Learn More

    • Non-Degree

      An applicant interested in taking graduate courses in international affairs, but not interested in pursuing a graduate degree, may apply as a non-degree graduate student.

      Requirements

      • Baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
      • Pre-approval from the MAIA program coordinator before enrolling in courses.
      • Required Supplemental Documents
        • Two UNG recommendation forms.
        • A 600-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MAIA degree and any background in the field of international affairs.

       Non-degree students

      • may register for no more than nine semester hours of graduate credit.
      • will not be allowed to continue in the program if a grade of C or lower in any graduate course is earned.
      • may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.
      • are not eligible for federal financial aid.
      • must submit a new application to Graduate Admissions and meet all program admission requirements if the student later decides to pursue a MAIA degree at UNG.

      Applying to UNG

      • Step 1Application and Application Fee
      • Step 2Official Transcripts
      • Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
      • Step 4Persons Aged 62 or Over

      Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

      Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

      • Non-refundable application fee of $40.
      • Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
      • Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
      • Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

      Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

      • Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
      • Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
      • Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
      • Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
      • International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. 
      • Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

      Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

      Learn More

      Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to determine eligibility.
      • Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
      • May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

      Learn More

    • Transient

      MAIA program does not permit transient students.

    • All International

      International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.

    • Appeal of Graduate Admission

      A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

      • Students whose appeals are granted will be admitted as provisional students.
      • Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking courses under a provisional admission status.
      • Students may not appeal for regular admission.

      Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

    Start Your Application Learn More About Graduate Admissions

    MAIA Program Curriculum

    The MAIA consists of 36 credit hours, which can be completed in two years if the student enrolls full-time (9 credit hours per semester). The required courses and elective courses are offered within a two-year rotation. However, the majority of students in the program are enrolled part-time and generally take three and a half years to complete the requirements for their degree. 

    The programs offers a concentration in Security Studies or Regional Studies. Check with MAIA program coordinator for courses applicable to your area of concentration for a total of 9 credit hours. 

    Required Foundational Courses (21 credit hours)

    • POLS 7011 - Theory of International Relations

      This seminar will provide an introduction to the theories of international relations. This course will serve as one of your foundational courses on which the rest of the program will be built. It will introduce students to the major theoretical areas including an overview of the role of theory, realism, liberalism, constructivism, the democratic peace, deterrence, cooperation, and domestic sources of international relations.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • POLS 7012 - Theory of International Political Economy

      This is one of the core seminars in the M.A. in International Affairs program. The course focuses on the theories, analytical approaches, historical evolution, and issues of international political economy (IPE). Economic theories of international trade and finance tell us that there are numerous benefits to be had from international economic exchange. Such exchange, however, creates 'winners and losers' internationally and domestically. Those actors that are hurt seek redress through political channels. Thus, we also need to use political theory to understand and explain the patterns of global economic activity that we observe.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • POLS 7013 - Research Methods for International Affairs

      The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the methods used by scholars of international affairs to study political events. This course will teach the student to properly frame a research question and create an effective research design to carry out original research.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • POLS 7014 - Foreign Policy Process

      Foreign policy is a historically based, dynamic process with many individual actors, global causes and overlapping concepts. We will study the Presidency and Congress, the State Department and Intelligence Community, the Economic Bureaucracy. Public Opinion and the Media, and issues such as the theoretical bases of policy-making and the tension between national security and democracy. This course explores how each of these operates and contributes to the making of U.S. foreign policy.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • POLS 7100 - Theories of Comparative Politics

      This course is designed to introduce students to the main concepts, topics, and theoretical perspectives in comparative politics-one of the major sub-disciplines of political science. It provides the basis for subsequent coursework and research in comparative politics. The course also reviews major topics within comparative politics, such as elections and political parties, regime types, democratization, and political participation.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • POLS 7105 - Global Governance

      Although the absence of any overarching political authority characterizes world politics as anarchical, states and other international actors have coordinated their actions over the centuries. This course focuses on such cooperative efforts. It assesses different theories of international relations and discusses why states succeed or fail at creating institutions and rules for global governance and what effects those institutions and rules have. The course examines how international organizations attempt to accomplish cooperation. The major emphasis will be on the experience of the United Nations system. Yet it also takes a closer look at regional and specialized agencies and analyzes a broad range of issue-areas with which these organizations try to deal: collective security, economics, environment, social welfare, and human rights.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • POLS 7201 - International Security Issues

      This course is designed as an examination of both traditional and non-traditional security concerns. The course will highlight the importance of context and the development of decision-making skills by those that craft foreign policy and military missions. All elements of security will be examined: military security, environmental security and resource security. The graduate portion of this course will expand discussions beyond traditional national borders to examine regional and global trends in security studies. The graduate student will be expected to synthesize the activities of their particular state within both regional and international security structures.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    International Affairs Capstone (6 credit hours)

    • POLS 7015 - International Affairs Capstone

      This course is designed a capstone experience for the international affairs masters degree. The course will require the student to adopt an in-depth focus regarding their particular regional or policy focus in the field of International Affairs.

      Hours:
      6

      View Course in Catalog

    Tentative Course Schedule

    Any schedule of courses must be understood to be tentative, in that university authorities reserve the right to cancel courses because of inadequate enrollment, the need to staff other necessary functions, etc. On a semester-to-semester basis, the best way to ensure that the course you want to take will not be canceled is by pre-registering for it

    • 2021
    • 2022
    • 2023
    • 2024

    2021

    Summer 2021

    • POLS 7200 Leadership & Organizational Theory
    • POLS 7240 Special Topics in Regional Security Issues

    Fall 2021

    • POLS 7011 Theory of International Relations
    • POLS 7012 Theory of International Political Economy
    • POLS 7014 Foreign Policy Process
    • POLS 7244 International Political Violence
    • POLS 7100 Theories of Comparative Politics

    2022

    Spring 2022

    • POLS 7230 National Security Policy of the US
    • POLS 7013 Research Methods for International Affairs
    • POLS 7105 Global Governance
    • POLS 7241 Special Topics in Regional Political Systems
    • POLS 7015 International Affairs Capstone (6 credit hours)

    Summer 2022

    • POLS 7201 International Security Issues
    • POLS 7241 Special Topics in Regional Political Systems

    Fall 2022

    • POLS 7011 Theory of International Relations
    • POLS 7012 Theory of International Political Economy
    • POLS 7014 Foreign Policy Process
    • POLS 7100 Theories of Comparative Politics
    • POLS 7244 International Political Violence

    2023

    Spring 2023

    • POLS 7210 European Security Issues
    • POLS 7015 International Affairs Capstone (6 credit hours)
    • POLS 7105 Global Governance
    • POLS 7013 Research Methods for International Affairs
    • POLS 7241 Special Topics in Regional Political Systems

    Summer 2023

    • POLS 7201 International Security Issues
    • POLS 7241 Special Topics in Regional Political Systems

    Fall 2023

    • POLS 7011 Theory of International Relations
    • POLS 7012 Theory of International Political Economy
    • POLS 7014 Foreign Policy Process
    • POLS 7244 International Political Violence
    • POLS 7100 Theories of Comparative Politics

    2024

    Spring 2024

    • POLS 7230 National Security Policy of the US
    • POLS 7013 Research Methods for International Affairs
    • POLS 7105 Global Governance
    • POLS 7241 Special Topics in Regional Political Systems
    • POLS 7015 International Affairs Capstone (6 credit hours)

    Summer 2024

    • POLS 7201 International Security Issues
    • POLS 7241 Special Topics in Regional Political Systems

    About Our Graduate Assistantship

    The MAIA program offers one graduate assistantship annually that serve either as teaching assistants, research assistants or service assistants. Graduate assistants receive a tuition waiver and are paid a stipend.

    Graduate Assistant Information Graduate Assistant Application

    • Department of Political Science & International Affairs
    • Catalog
    • Cost
    • Advisement Guide

    Questions?

    For questions about the program, contact:
    Dr. Cristian Harris, Program Coordinator
    cristian.harris@ung.edu
    706-867-3251
    Dr. Craig Greathouse, MAIA Graduate Advisor
    craig.greathouse@ung.edu
    706-867-2577
    For questions about the application process, contact:
    Graduate Admissions
    grads@ung.edu
    706-864-1543

    Where Could the MAIA Online Program Lead You?

    Use our tool to explore different careers related to this degree program. You can download a customized career profile, learn about location-based salaries, and discover the skills you need to get the job you want.

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