You are here: American University School of International Service Master of Arts in International Affairs: Comparative and Regional Studies

old film camera and US passport lay on top of a world map

Back to top

Preparing regional experts to confront global challenges

The Comparative and Regional Studies (CRS) program prepares students to be regional experts who understand key global issues through comparative analysis across regions and countries. Unlike traditional regional studies, CRS combines study of the comparative method with regional expertise. In this way, CRS regional concentrations serve as laboratories for knowledge, allowing students to draw lessons from experiences within a region to inform their understanding of the local context and, importantly, of how and why the local context shapes outcomes of global interest.

The MA in International Affairs: Comparative and Regional Studies (CRS) requires 39 credit hours of graduate coursework, including a capstone, that can be completed in two years (full-time) or up to six years (part-time). CRS’s broad curriculum bridges comparative analysis and regional knowledge. Whereas comparative reasoning focuses on uniformities and variations among cases, examining a specific world region grounds knowledge and provides insight. CRS offers students an innovative program of study designed to create informed and analytically-oriented global leaders through traditional academic study, methodological training, skills institutes, and policy practica. Our dual focus—with students choosing one regional and one thematic concentration—provides a two-pronged approach to the study of international affairs.

Explore degree flexibility options

Full degree and admission requirements

Some of the top scholar-practitioners in their fields, Comparative and Regional Studies faculty understand the importance gaining deep knowledge of the world and its peoples. CRS professors have real-world policy experience and serve as advisers and consultants to numerous organizations, including the US National Intelligence Council, US National Security Council, East Asia Institute, Inter-American Development Bank, US Department of State, Foreign Service Institute, USAID, and the World Bank.

Meet the CRS faculty

With residents and visitors drawn from all over the world, Washington, DC, is a vast campus that extends far beyond the SIS classroom. Comparative and Regional Studies students will find extensive opportunities to engage with stakeholders from international organizations, embassies, US government offices, think tanks, museums, and other cultural and educational organizations around the city concerned with the issues affecting their regions of interest.

1 to 12

average faculty-student ratio

33 percent

of 2017 Fall class are international students

Intellectualizing Her Experiences in the US Army

Kayla Williams, SIS/MA '08

Assistant Secretary, OPIA, Department of Veterans Affairs

Representing the voice of the enlisted personnel is really important to me.

Spending a year on the ground in Iraq made me want to understand intellectually what I was experiencing at the very tip of the spear—how did we get here? What are the geopolitical forces that are driving the US to be involved in Iraq? I wanted to intellectualize my experience.

Learn more about Williams' career path, position in the Biden administration, and her time at SIS.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you should apply to the program depends on what semester you want to start taking classes in and whether you are a domestic or international student.

Application deadlines for an MA in International Affairs: Comparative and Regional Studies are as follows:

  • Fall semester (all applicants): January 15
  • Spring semester (domestic applicants): October 1
  • Spring semester (international applicants): September 15

View required application materials

Missed a deadline but still interested in applying? Email the SIS Graduate Admissions office.

The Comparative and Regional Studies degree prepares policy professionals for a variety of careers. CRS graduates find positions in national, state, and local governments; they enter the private sector as consultants and executives in think tanks, transnational corporations, and international banks; and they join nonprofit organizations and NGOs.

CRS alumni consistently report that the program provided them with the knowledge and expertise to be conversant across regional and thematic disciplines—a quality that makes them well-suited for management positions where they must be able to engage with exceptionally diverse populations and stakeholders.

Looking for more information or help? SIS has a dedicated career development center to assist current students and alumni.

The School of International Service offers merit-based aid in the form of scholarships and fellowships at the time of admission. SIS also has partnerships with a number of organizations like the Peace Corps and Pickering Fellowship that provide qualified individuals with funding.

Financial aid information for prospective students

Comparative and Regional Studies students may choose to research other relevant fellowship opportunities.

Need-based aid is available through AU Central Office and generally takes the form of a federal low-interest loan package.

Federal loan and work study information for graduate students

Still have questions? Send us an email with program-specific questions at crs@american.edu

Chat with admissions