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A program for rising diplomatic staff.

The Master of Arts in Global Affairs offers an intensive examination of our complex economic, political and social world issues, with in-depth perspectives on today’s political and global economy, international problems and conflict resolution.

Our program is distinguished by both its faculty and students. Our students come from around the globe, working primarily in consulates or diplomatic missions. In addition to FDU faculty, key professors include former United Nations Ambassadors, Consuls General and other outstanding professionals and academics who hold small, in-person classes.

The M.A. Global Affairs comprises 30 credits (10 courses) of graduate-level coursework held off-campus primarily in consulates and missions to the United Nations in New York City. Students typically take six credits per quarter and complete the program in two to three years. Courses begin in September, January, May, and July.

Building Blocks to a Full Degree

The program is tailored to the mobility needs of the diplomatic corps, with progressive stages to complete the M.A. degree, and online courses to accelerate or to complete the program if students are re-posted out of the area:

  • Diplomado (6 credits) for special cohorts
  • Certificate in Diplomacy and International Relations (18 credits)
  • Master of Arts in Global Affairs (30 credits)

The program may be taken from abroad completely online or by live tie-in to the classes in New York City.

Admission requirements

The credentials required for admission to the Master of Arts degree in Global Affairs as a matriculated student include the following:

  • A graduate application for admission.
  • A bachelor’s degree (or corresponding post-secondary degree) from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point ratio (CGPR) of 2.70. Applicants with a CGPR of less than 2.70 may be admitted as non-matriculated students on probation.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. Applicants who are unable to provide official documents at the time of enrollment may register as non-matriculated students with a graduate faculty adviser.

Students who are not in the diplomatic corps, spouses and dependents may also apply, and a number of seats are held for U.S. citizens. Applicants who are not consular or diplomatic personnel must provide the following in addition to the above:

  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • A cover letter briefly outlining career ambitions. (Spouses or dependents of a consular or diplomatic employee must indicate this in their cover letter.)

International students travelling on F-1 visas must apply to the Master of Public Administration with the Global Affairs specialization (MPA: Global Affairs)  on the Metropolitan Campus.  F1 students enrolled in the MPA: Global Affairs may also take some elective classes with the MA Global Affairs in Summer terms only with approval. 

All applications, except US domestic students, must be submitted through the International Graduate Admissions application www.fdu.edu/global. Contact International Admissions for more instructions at Global@FDU.edu.

US domestic students may apply to the MA Global Affairs program using the Graduate Admissions application. 

Academic requirements

  • Students must complete 30 credits (10 courses) of graduate-level coursework in political science or in sister disciplines, as approved, in history, economics, business or public administration, or administrative science. 
  • Students are strongly encouraged to engage in a thesis and use up to six credits to complete it. 
  • A cumulative grade point ratio of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required for graduation. Students who receive more than two grades of C or lower will be dismissed from the program. 

The Diplomado Series

Diplomados are concentrated topics in Global Affairs consisting of two 3-credit courses  (total 6 credits). The courses may be taken in the same term or sequential terms. Diplomados can be applied toward a Certificate in Diplomacy and International Relations (18 credits) and the M.A. Global Affairs (30 credits).  

The Diplomado Series includes:  

  • Diplomado in International Law 
  • Diplomado in International Political Economy (IPE) 
  • Diplomado in Transnational Security and Terrorism 
  • Diplomado in International Organizations   

The Diplomado Series includes additional topics, online courses, and accelerated programs that are available in New York, New Jersey, Vancouver, Oxfordshire, and other locations under special agreement.

Certificate in Diplomacy and International Relations

Students may earn an official Certificate in Diplomacy and International Relations after completing any six courses listed for the Master of Arts in Global Affairs. The Certificate is listed on student transcripts and students receive a copy of the Certificate for display. 

Students may apply for the certificate program only, and later apply the credits toward a Master of Arts in Global Affairs. 

Course Offerings 

To determine availability of a course in a particular semester, please check with the academic adviser. 

  • POLS6711 Genocide
  • POLS6801 Methods of Political Analysis
  • POLS6816 World Heritage Law and Policy (Course Equivalent: PADM6816)
  • POLS6840 Thesis or Project
  • POLS6873 Seminar on Globalization (Course Equivalent: MADS 6733)
  • POLS6874 Trafficking in Humans
  • POLS6875 Seminar in International Trade
  • POLS6876 Comparative Innovation Systems
  • POLS6877 Global Women’s Voices/ Women’s Leadership in Today’s Global World (Course Equivalent: PADM 6686/MADS 6627 Women’s Leadership in Today’s Global World)
  • PADM7714 Comparative Governmental and Administrative Systems (Course Equivalent: MADS 6614 Comparative Public, Private and Not-for-profit Systems)
  • POLS7815 Nationalism and Its Discontents
  • POLS7821 Modern Political Theory
  • POLS7822 The Character of Revolutionary Movements
  • POLS7825 Foreign Policy and Diplomacy /(Course Equivalent: MADS 6828 U.S.A. New Foreign Policy: Risks and Fears)
  • POLS7827 Climate Policy (or PADM 7826)
  • POLS7830 International Organizations
  • POLS7831 International Law
  • POLS7832 International Problems and Conflict Resolution (Course Equivalent: MADS 6732 International Conflict Resolution)
  • POLS7833 Modern Warfare and Global Stability
  • POLS7834 Politics of the Global Economy
  • POLS7836 Crisis Leadership (Course Equivalent: MADS 6640 Leading in Times of Crisis)
  • POLS7838 Political Leadership and the U.N.
  • POLS7851 Forces and Issues: Middle East
  • POLS7856 Cities in Crisis
  • POLS7867 Political and Economic Challenges for Africa
  • POLS7868 Terrorism and Insurgency
  • POLS7869 Economics of National Security
  • POLS7870 International Implications of Middle East Problems
  • POLS7873 Political and Economic Challenges: Asia
  • POLS7874 Latin America: New Challenges
  • POLS7902 Rethinking Europe’s Future
  • MADS6608 Organizational Communication & Conflict Resolution/Diplomatic Communication for Administrators (Course Equivalent: PADM 7780 Diplomatic Communication for Administrators)
  • MADS6615 Global Leadership
  • MADS6617 Emergency Management and Safety Administration
  • MADS6628 Building Strategic Partnerships
  • MADS6633 GIS and Emergency Administration
  • MADS6636 Global Preparedness for Catastrophic Emergencies (Course Equivalent: CHSA 6605 Preparing for Catastrophic Emergencies)
  • MADS6659 Latin America & Globalization
  • MADS6672 Ethics & Human Rights
  • MADS6674 Sociological Perspectives of Disaster
  • MADS6693 Leading Culturally Diverse Workplaces
  • MADS6694 New Challenges of Leadership in a Global Society
  • MADS6709 ST: Creativity, Change, & the 21st Century Leader
  • MADS6713 Special Topics: Environmental Response & Reporting Seminar
  • MADS6825 Intro to Diplomacy & Int’l Relations
  • PADM7724 Comparative Government and Administrative Systems/Comparative Public, Private and Not-for-Profit Systems (Course Equivalent: MADS 6614 Comparative Public, Private and Not-for-Profit Systems)
  • PADM7770 Global Administrative Skills
  • PADM7789 Global Energy System
  • PADM7791 Global Health Issues
  • CHSA6601 Terrorism Issues and Implications
  • CHSA6604 Assessing Internal and External Threats
  • CHSA6606 Historical Perspectives of Terrorism
  • CHSA6607 Border Security: Policies, Actions, and Implications
  • CHSA6608 Terrorism and Disaster Management
  • CHSA6609 The Face of Terror
  • CHSA6610 Bio-terrorism Preparedness and Response
  • CHSA6618 Emergency Management Policies, Analysis, and Implications
  • CHSA7603 Weapons of Mass Destruction/Terrorism Awareness
Additional Information
Academic Policies
Tuition and Fees
Learning Outcomes
Resources and Policies
Individual Development Plan
Fall 2023 Schedule (pdf)
Spring 2024 Schedule (pdf)