Broaden your global knowledge. Develop your intercultural communication skills. Prepare for a successful career in international relations.
Program Overview
View this video to meet our faculty and students — and learn more about our program.
The Master of International Studies (MIS) is a professional degree program that prepares students for exciting careers in government service, international institutions and non-governmental organizations.
The program combines a core curriculum with a 15-hour regional, topical, professional or technical specialization. Upon graduation, most students move into jobs in government service, nonprofit management, higher education student services and the private sector.
The strength of the program is its diversity of faculty from various disciplines and small class size. The richness of the student body from many countries around the world enhances learning.
Virtual Information Sessions:
Register for one of our Virtual Information Sessions held via Zoom using the links below to learn more about the MIS program. You’ll have an opportunity to hear from faculty, current students, and alumni about the program and learn about the application process.
This session is specifically geared towards international students. A representative from our Office of International Studies will be in attendance to answer questions about international admission requirements, Visas, etc.
The MIS is a multidisciplinary, non-thesis degree program that requires 36 credit hours to complete. The 36 credit hours are comprised of 15 credit hours of core coursework, 18 credit hours of specialization/elective coursework, and a 3 credit hour capstone seminar course. Complete program details can be found in the MIS Handbook.
Core Coursework
You must take 15 credit hours of core courses, at least one course from each of the five areas listed below. For course descriptions, please refer to the NC State catalog.
International Relations
PS 530: Seminar in International Relations
PS 533: Global Problems and Policies
HI 554: History of US Foreign Relations
Comparative Politics/Societies
PS 540: Seminar in Comparative Politics
PS 541: Political Islam
PS 542: European Politics
PS 543: Latin America and the Caribbean
PS 544: Contemporary African Politics
PS 545: Comparative Systems of Law and Justice
PS 546: The Politics of East Asia
PS 547: Russian Politics
International Law and Organization
PS 531: International Law
PS 532: Seminar in Global Governance
PS 536: Global and Environmental Law and Policy
International Economy/Development
EC 548: International Economics
PS 539: International Political Economy
Research Methods
PS 571 Research Methods
PA 515 Research Methods
500-level methods course from a different department*
Two GIS (Geospatial Information Science) courses
*You may also take a methods course in another discipline as warranted by your specialization if approved by your advisor in consultation with the MIS DGP. Examples include anthropology, communication, psychology, public administration and sociology.
Specialization Coursework
Students will design their own individualized specialization of 18 credit hours in consultation with their advisor. The specialization can be in a geographical region (e.g., Latin America), an international topic (e.g., environment and sustainable development), a professional field (e.g., public administration), or a technical specialty (e.g., Geographic Information Systems).
The following lists identify examples of possible specialization areas:
Comparative Politics
PS 540: Seminar in Comparative Politics
PS 541: Political Islam
PS 542: European Politics
PS 543: Latin America and the Caribbean
PS 545: Comparative Systems of Law and Justice
Europe/Russia
HI 518: Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany
HI 519: Modern European Imperialism
HI 520: European Diplomatic History
HI 529: 20th Century Britain
HI 539: History of the Soviet Union and After
PS 542: European Politics
Latin America
FLS 525: Poetry and Politics in Latin America
FLS 592: Seminar in Hispanic Studies
HI 467: Modern Mexico
HI 553: U.S.- Latin American Relations Since 1823
HI 569: Latin American Revolutions in the Twentieth Century
PS 543: Latin America and the Caribbean
Middle East
HI 465: Oil and Crisis in the Gulf
HI 477: Women in the Middle East
HI 507: Islamic History to 1798
HI 578: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa Since the 19th Century
PS 437: U.S. National Security Policy
PS 541: Political Islam
REL 408: Islam in the Modern World
SOC 520: Sociology of Religion
Africa
PS 541: Political Islam
HI 575: History of the Republic of South Africa
HI 576: Leadership in Modern Africa
HI 578: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa
HI 579: Africa (Sub-Saharan) in the Twentieth Century
American Politics and Institutions (international students)
PS 502: The Legislative Process
PS 506: United States Constitutional Law
PS 507: Civil Liberties in the United States
PS 545: Comparative Systems of Law and Justice
HI 544: US Constitutional History Since 1870
HI 552: Recent America
HI 554: History of U.S. Foreign Relations 1900-present
PS 463: Public Choice and Political Institutions
PS 437: U.S. National Security Policy
PA 522: Intergovernmental Relations in the United States
International Law/International Organizations/Global Governance
PS 431: UN and Global Order
PS 531: International Law
PS 532: Seminar in Global Governance
PS 533: Global Problems and Policies
PS 536: Global and Environmental Law and Policy
PS 545: Comparative Systems of Law and Justice
PS 534: Politics of Human Rights
PHI 520: Global Justice
ECG 548: International Economics
International Program Administration
EAC 540: Foundations of Higher Education and Student Affairs
EAC 541: Administration and Finance of Student Affairs
EAC 795: International Higher Education
EAC 517: Current Issues in Higher Education
ECD 525: Cross-Cultural Counseling
COM 523: International & Intercultural Communication
Nonprofit Management
PA 531: Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Orgs PA 536: Management of Nonprofit Organizations PA 538: Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management PA 539: Fund Development PA 510: Ethics and Professional Practices PA 514: Management Systems PA 532: Contract Negotiation and Mediation in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors PA 535: Problem Solving for Public and Nonprofit Managers PA 542: Public Information Technology PA 546: Seminar in Program Evaluation PA 598: Special Topics in Public Administration PA 640: Grant Writing COM 546: Nonprofit Marketing and Public Relations
Public Administration
PA 507: The Public Policy Process
PA 509: Applied Political Economy
PA 510: Ethics and Professional Practice
PA 511: Public Policy Analysis
PA 512: The Budgetary Process
PA 513: Public Organization Behavior
PA 514: Management Systems
PA 515: Research Methods and Analysis
PA 516: Effective Communication for Public Administrators
PA 521: Government and Planning
PA 522: Intergovernmental Relations in the United States
PA 525: Organizational Development and Change Management
PA 530: Financial Management in the Public Sector
PA 540: Grant Writing for Public Administrators
PA 546: Seminar in Program Evaluation
Security Studies/U.S. Foreign Policy
COM 566: Seminar in Crisis Communication
HI 465: Oil and the Gulf Crisis
HI 551: The Vietnam War
HI 553: U.S. – Latin American Relations 1823
HI 554: History of U.S. Foreign Relations 1900-present
PS 437: U.S. National Security Policy
PS 533: Global Problems and Policies
PS 598: International Security
SOC 432: Violence, Terrorism, and Public Policy
Sustainable Development
ANT 531: Tourism, Culture and Anthropology
ANT 533: Anthropology of Ecotourism and Heritage Conservation
ECG 540: Economic Development
GIS 510: Introduction to Geographic Information Science
NR 571: Current Issues in Natural Resource Management
Capstone Seminar: Students nearing completion of the program are brought together in a 3 credit hour seminar in which they explore broader issues in international studies and write a capstone paper that is presented to other students.
International Work or Study Experience: American students must have a significant foreign study or work experience of at least 8 weeks by graduation. This may be prior experience or one that is undertaken while enrolled in the MIS program. International students fulfill this requirement by living and studying in the United States while pursuing the program.
Language Competency: Competency in a foreign language is also required by graduation and is certified by the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Students can meet this requirement by being fluent in a language other than English, taking a fifth semester (300-level) undergraduate language course, or by taking a graduate language certification exam.
As an affiliate member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs, the MIS program joins distinguished universities around the world in providing global education for the 21st century.
Admission Info
Prospective students apply through the NC State Graduate School. Completed applications include a personal statement, resume, transcripts and three letters of recommendation. Additionally, international applicants must demonstrate proficiency of English.
Please note that we do not require the GRE, nor do we use if submitted.
Application Deadlines
Fall Admission
March 1 – Priority deadline for graduate assistantship consideration; final deadline for international applicants
June 1 – Final deadline for domestic applicants
Spring Admission
July 15 – Final deadline for international applicants
November 1 – Final deadline for domestic applicants
As part of our program, you’re encouraged to complete an internship and earn academic credit with an organization relevant to your studies and career interests. Our internship director, Dr. Tracy Appling, will work with you to find the best placement. MIS students have interned across the country and around the world.
Professional development workshops offer opportunities to learn about internships, fellowships and careers. Experts share experiences working in a variety of organizations including the U.S. Foreign Service and other government agencies, international NGOs, the private sector, government contractors, research institutions and others.
We offer several professional development opportunities throughout the year. Here’s a list of several upcoming workshops and past events.
Alumni Outcomes
“The program helped boost my academic knowledge and research skills.”
Elmas hasanovikj ’18
Ministry of Defense of North Macedonia
Your career opportunities will be strengthened by the area of specialization you choose within our program.
Our most popular career tracks are in these four general areas:
Government service at the state and national levels.
Nonprofit organization administration and outreach.
Higher education administration in international students services and study abroad.
International business, primarily trade and marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to finish the MIS degree? Can I attend part-time?
A full-time course load is 9 credit hours or 3 courses per semester, and the program requires 36 credits. Therefore, it should take 4 semesters if you attend full-time, summer excluded. Credits can be earned for internship and study abroad experiences during the summer that may shorten the time to completion.
The program is also designed to accommodate part-time students. Courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings. If you are working full time, it is not recommended that you take more than 2 courses per semester.
Do I need to have my language requirement fulfilled before I join the program?
No, the language competency requirement is required to be completed by the time you graduate from the MIS program. It is recommended that you have some foreign language training before entering the program and obtain the appropriate certification either through testing or a course while here on campus. It is difficult to start a language from scratch while also pursuing graduate work in another discipline.
Students can meet with language competency requirement by:
Completing a 300-level undergraduate language course (typically a fifth-semester course; e.g., Spanish 101, 102, 201, 202, 301),
Being fluent in a language other than English (most international applicants meet this requirement), or
How can I meet the international experience requirement?
There are several ways you can gain international experience. If you have had a significant international experience within the last five years prior to entry into the program, it will be counted towards fulfilling this requirement. Otherwise, you may study abroad for a summer or semester, work abroad through your existing job or an internship, or take several extended trips abroad in either a work or study capacity during the course of your program. You may get course credit for study abroad and/or internship.
Can I take courses at Duke or UNC-Chapel Hill?
NC State students can take courses at other institutions in the area, including Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, through interinstitutional registration. You first need to find a course that you are interested in and be sure it is either an advanced undergraduate (400 or better) or graduate-level class. You would then contact the professor of that class to request permission to register. Once that permission is given, you would fill out an interinstitutional registration form, attach the professor’s permission and turn it in to the MIS Director for final approval.
Is financial assistance available?
The MIS program offers a small number of graduate research assistantships. Additional information on these opportunities can be found on our Application Instructions page.
