Admission to the Program

Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least a B+ (3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale) and should have had at least 24 credit hours of social science course work relevant to international studies. 

The application deadline for fall admission is January 15; for spring admission October 1 (September 15 for international students). Admitted students may defer matriculation for no longer than two semesters provided that a written request for deferment is submitted to and approved by the SIS Graduate Admissions Office. 

All applicants except those students whose degree was earned at an institution where English was not the language of instruction are required to submit results of the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). International applicants whose degree was not conducted in English and/or whose native language is not English are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum TOEFL score for full admissions consideration is 100 on the Internet-based test (IBT), 250 on the computer-based test, or 600 on the paper-based test. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Applicants should plan to take the appropriate test no later than December to ensure full consideration of the application by the January deadline. 

All applicants must submit two letters of reference evaluating undergraduate academic performance and suitability for graduate study in international affairs, at least one of which should be from an academic source. A resume should be included in the application. Applicants must submit transcripts from all institutions attended. Cultural factors are considered in evaluating transcripts and examination results. 

Requests for the transfer of a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours from other accredited institutions to be applied to a master’s degree are considered after successful completion of 9 credit hours in the graduate program at American University. A minimum grade of B in each course is required for transfer. Transfer courses must have been completed within seven years of admission and must fulfill stated requirements of the degree program. 

Degree Requirements

• 39 credit hours of approved graduate course work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00, including a minimum of 12 credit hours in the core including one theory course and one 3 credit graduate-level economics or international economic policy course appropriate to the program, 12 credit hours in a concentration selected from offerings in SIS or other teaching units of the university, 6 credit hours in research and professional methods, 3 elective credit, and a 3-credit capstone. 
• Completion of a capstone through one of the following three options: a master’s thesis (original research project intended for students planning to pursue doctoral work), a substantial research paper (research or policy paper: scope and topic vary by program), or a research practicum.
  • Thesis: 6 credit hours (3 credit hours of thesis credit and 3 elective credit hours) and submission of the thesis.
  • Substantial research paper requirement: 3 credit hours
  • Practicum: 3 credit hours
• Evidence of professional experience in the field. Relevant work or internship experience must be certified.
• Proficiency in a modern foreign language: Research competence in English and another language relevant to the student’s career objectives must be certified. 

Course Requirements

Core (12 credit hours)

• SIS-606 Culture and Peace and Conflict Resolution: Alternatives to Violence (3) 
• SIS-607 Peace Paradigms (3) 
• SIS-609 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice (3) 
• SIS-610 Theory of Conflict, Violence and War (3) 

Economics (3 credit hours)

One of the following:

• ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3)
• SIS-673 Comparative Political Economy (3)
• approved course in economics (3)

Concentration (12 credit hours)

• 12 credit hours in courses identified by the IPCR faculty as part of one of the six IPCR concentrations:
  • Applications of Conflict Resolution
  • Human Rights
  • Identity and Culture
  • International Negotiation
  • Peacebuilding
  • Theory and Research
• or
• 12 credit hours in courses approved by the student’s faculty advisor making up an academically-sound concentration defined by a central concept which allows the student to focus on a particular area of interest.

Elective (3 credit hours)

• May be used for skills institutes, internship for credit, as part of the Master's Thesis requirement, or any other elective course.

Research and Professional Methods (6 credit hours)

• SIS-600 Statistics, Research Design, and Research Methods for International Affairs (3)
• or
• SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics: Advanced Statistics, Research Design, and Research Methods for International Affairs
• One of the following:
  • SIS-612 Research Seminar in Peace and Conflict Resolution (3) 
  • SIS-639 Selected Topics in International Conflict Resolution Skills (1-3) (total of 3 credit hours) 
  • other approved methodology course appropriate to the student’s research interests (3) 

Capstone (6 credit hours)

• SIS-797 Master’s Thesis Supervision (6) 
• or 
• Substantial research paper requirement

M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Master of Arts in Teaching

Graduates receive an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from the School of International Service and the M.A.T. in secondary education from the School of Education. 

Admission

Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least a B+ (3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale) and should have had at least 24 credit hours of social science course work relevant to international studies.

Students must apply to both the School of International Service (SIS) and the School of Education (SOE) in the College of Arts and Sciences. Admission to either of the participating teaching units in no way implies admission to the other unit. For more information on admissions requirements, contact the SIS Admissions Office at 202-885-1646 or the SOE Teacher Education Office at 202-885-3720. 

All applicants are required to submit results of the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). International applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum TOEFL score for full admissions consideration is 100 on the Internet-based test (IBT), 250 on the computer-based test, or 600 on the paper-based test. The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. All applicants must submit two letters of reference evaluating undergraduate academic performance and suitability for graduate study in international affairs and education. 

Students seeking secondary education certification must have completed sufficient course work in an area traditionally taught in secondary schools. It is anticipated that students who complete the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution will have sufficient background to meet certification requirements in social studies. However, students who meet requirements for other subject areas will also be considered. Students will be notified at the time of admission concerning additional course work required for state certification. 

Degree Requirements

• 57 credit hours of approved graduate course work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 

• Students must complete the 9 credit hours in the education core courses, 12 credit hours in secondary education, 6 credit hours of student teaching, and at least 12 of the 15 credit hours in peace and conflict resolution to receive the M.A.T. 

  Students must complete 15 credit hours in peace and conflict resolution, 3 credit hours in economics, 6 credit hours in methodology, 6 credit hours in research and writing, and the 9 credit hours in the education core to receive the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. 

  In addition to intensive course work and student teaching placements, students are also required to participate in an educational internship program. These field placements are carefully supervised and coordinated to meet state certification requirements. 

• Comprehensive examination in international peace and conflict resolution  
• Comprehensive examination for M.A.T. 
• Proficiency in a modern foreign language: Research competence in English and another language relevant to the student’s career objectives must be certified. 

Course Requirements

Education Core (9 credit hours)

• EDU-521 Foundations of Education (3) 
• EDU-541 Foundations of Special Education for Exceptional Children (3) or EDU-545 Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Education (3)
• EDU-620 Theories of Educational Psychology and Human Development (3) 

Secondary Education Track (12 credit hours)

• EDU-520 Reading, Writing, and Literature across the Curriculum (3) 
• EDU-522 Principles of Effective Methods and Instruction (3) 
• EDU-540 Methods and Materials in Secondary Education (3) (or other approved methods course work) 
• EDU-662 Classroom Management (3) 

Student Teaching (6 credit hours)

• EDU-699 Student Teaching (6) 

Peace and Conflict Resolution (15 credit hours)

• SIS-605 Theory of Cooperative Global Politics (3) 
• SIS-606 Culture and Peace and Conflict Resolution: Alternatives to Violence (3) 
• SIS-607 Peace Paradigms (3) 
• SIS-609 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice (3) 
• SIS-610 Theory of Conflict, Violence and War (3) 

Economics (3 credit hours)

• ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3) 
• or
• or other approved economics course (3)

Methodology (6 credit hours)

• SIS-600 Statistics, Research Design, and Research Methods for International Affairs (3)
• or
• SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics: Advanced Statistics, Research Design, and Research Methods for International Affairs
• One of the following:
  • SIS-612 Research Seminar in Peace and Conflict Resolution (3) 
  • SIS-639 Selected Topics in International Conflict Resolution Skills (1-3) (total of 3 credit hours)
  • Other approved methods course work (3) 

Research and Writing Requirement (6 credit hours)

• SIS-691 Internship  (3) 
• SIS-795 Master’s Research Requirement (3)

M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Master of Theological Studies

A dual master’s degree is offered by the School of International Service and Wesley Theological Seminary. Graduates receive both the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and the Master of Theological Studies. 

Admission and Requirements

• Applications are submitted to both SIS and Wesley. Students must be admitted separately to each program. 
• Students may count up to 12 credit hours from Wesley toward the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. With SIS faculty approval, 9 credit hours count toward the concentration requirement, and 3 credit hours count toward the research requirement. Please consult both the SIS Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-1646 and the Wesley Theological Seminary Admissions Office at 202-885-8659 for application requirements.

Please refer to the Wesley Theological Seminary catalog for a description of the degree requirements for the Master of Theological Studies, or call the Admissions Office at 202-885-8659.