What Makes the Best Master's Degree in International Studies Programs

There are a number of options for undergraduate degrees for those students who wish to continue their education with a master's in international studies. One example is simply an undergraduate degree in international studies. Other common undergraduate degrees are bachelor's degrees in government and politics, global studies, political science, and international business. There are also more broad undergraduate programs such as a bachelor's in English or history, which will also apply to a graduate degree in international studies.

The admissions requirements for an international studies master's program are similar to any other programs. They generally consist of providing undergraduate transcripts from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of about 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and GRE scores. Additionally, letters of recommendation and a personal statement or statement of intent are required materials for admissions. Some universities also require a writing sample or an additional essay. Although these requirements are average for most universities across the U.S., it is important to check with each individual university on the exact admission requirements as it varies from school to school.

Students who are interested in international relations should consider a degree in international studies. This requires strong communication skills as well as a global understanding of societal issues. International studies is a degree that will set the student up for success in their career because of the opportunity for competitive pay. For example, a common career option is as a political scientist. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for a political scientist is $125,350 per year or $60.27 per hour. This is significantly higher than the median pay rate for all occupations, which is $41,950. Additionally, there may be exciting opportunities to travel for work that many domestic careers may not offer. Someone with an international studies degree would get to experience different cultures and work closely with individuals from all over the world. Overall, international studies has a lot of positive aspects.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right master's in international studies program. One thing that might be of interest is whether or not the university offers any opportunities to study abroad during the program. This could be extremely important to gaining experience working abroad and could provide useful in future career endeavors. Another thing to consider is internship experience and whether or not this is a requirement. Gaining hands-on experience is very important for building a resume.

The master's degree courses for international studies provide an in-depth perspective on many international issues, which may include globalization, environmental issues, development, peace and conflict, human rights and international law. In addition to the foundational and elective courses offered, there are also opportunities for internships, which are encouraged to be anywhere in the world. This provides hands-on experience in working within a global context.

International Studies Foundational Courses

There are many required foundational courses that provide an overview of the international studies degree. These may include:

• Critical Social Theory in Global Perspective
• Research Methods Seminar
• International Political Economy

International Studies Specialist & Elective Courses

After completing various foundational courses, it is also important to complete a series of specialist and elective courses to fit the area of study the student wishes to pursue. These may include:

• Culture and Inequality
• Nature, Society and Power
• International Law

Licensure & Certification in International Studies

There are also certification options that can be completed either during or after a degree program to best supplement a master's degree in international studies. For example, one popular certification is the TESOL/TEFL, which allows individuals to teach English as a second or foreign language. This certification provides the necessary credentials in order to teach English to any ESL student throughout the world, no matter what their first language is. This means that an individual with the TEFL certification does not need to know the first language of the students they are teaching. This is a huge opportunity to work and travel internationally.

Because international studies is such a broad area of study, there are many concentrations available that may narrow down the program to a more specific area of study. One concentration is Culture, Power, and Social Movements, which explores social analysis through race, gender, class, religion, and other forms of inequality. Another concentration is Sustainable Development and Environmental Justice, which studies the relationship between development and the environment in communities. There is also a concentration in Governance and Global Justice, which explores how political entities can protect human rights from a global standpoint.

There are many post-graduate options after a student receives a master's degree in international studies. For example, a student could pursue a Ph.D in International Studies, International Relations, or International Education. This depends on the desired area of study, each of which will be explored during the master's degree program. This may also prepare the student for a career in post-secondary education.

There are many things that can be done with an international studies master's degree. For example, there are a number of careers in history and international studies, such as an archivist, curator, or museum worker. These career options handle art and artifacts and require a master's degree in a related field. Another example is becoming an international manager, or someone who manages a global corporation or company. There are also many international commerce careers, such as an international commerce finance specialist, which develops auditing, accounting and financial systems, or an international commerce compliance attorney, who follows global trade regulation.

Job Outlook for a Master's in International Studies

The job outlook for a master's in international studies is very positive. For example, according to the BLS, a career as a political scientist has a projected job growth rate of about 6%, which is higher than the average 4% for all jobs from 2019-2029. Similarly, social scientists and related workers have a projected job growth of about the average 4% from 2019 to 2029. If you are interested in becoming an international sales manager there is a median salary of $126,640 as of 2019. Overall, there are a number of excellent career opportunities for a master's in international studies.

How to Become an International Financial Manager

There are a number of international business administration career options, such as becoming an international financial manager. A financial manager is responsible for all the financial operations of a company from a global perspective. This requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree is also necessary for advancement. There are also a number of professional certifications that are available and may be important for career advancement. People who are interested in becoming a financial manager should have excellent communication, analytical, math, and organizational skills, as well as being very detail-oriented.

How to Become an International Marketing Manager

Another international business administration career option is becoming an international marketing manager. This is someone who handles a global company's marketing operations. International marketing managers require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field, but may also require a master's degree for advancement. Internships and work experience are also helpful in acquiring these positions. A person who is interested in a career as an international marketing manager should be very creative, as well as having analytical, communication, decision making, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Students who are interested in an International Studies master's degree program should also be aware of the financial aid and scholarship resources that are available to them. Each university has a number of scholarships and grants that are made available to their students, so it is important to check with each individual school for their resources. Additionally, it is important to check eligibility for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA has many scholarship and grant options available that are both based on financial needs and merit-based.

Additionally, there are scholarships available to those specifically in the international studies field, such as the Exploration Fund, by the Explorers Club. This is a $2,500-$5,000 grant in support of exploration and field research for graduate students just beginning their careers.