Globalization and the rapid pace of innovation have forever changed the way we work, live, and conduct business.
Our new Master of International Affairs program will prepare future leaders like you for the challenges and opportunities of an ever-evolving global marketplace. A joint effort between the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies—the national leader in language and area studies—and the world-renowned O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, this degree program will sharpen your toolkit, giving you the practical skills and in-depth knowledge to succeed in an internationally focused career.
Best of all, you can get it done in just one year.
Final application deadline
International students: April 1, 2021
Domestic students: June 1, 2021
Request information
The MIA program: By the numbers
3Concentrations
36Credit Hours
3Semesters
Choose your path in global affairs
Where do you want to go? For MIA students, the choice is yours. Our one-year program will help you acquire the experience, skills, and knowledge to pursue positions in a diversity of career tracks, including:
Multilateral organizations and regionally focused institutions with global mandates
Private sector organizations in consulting, energy, environment, technology, media, financial services, and healthcare
NGOs and domestic nonprofits involved in advocacy, research, education, social enterprise, impact investing, grant-making, and/or field work
National-level development agencies, ministries of foreign affairs, ministries of defense, intelligence agencies, environmental agencies, international trade offices, and globally-oriented departments at the state and local levels
Get the tools to make a lasting impact
The rigor of the MIA curriculum will prepare you for a career on the world stage by blending the best of advanced quantitative analysis and qualitative learning with tailored electives and three multidisciplinary concentrations:
Security, Diplomacy & Governance
Finance & Trade
Global Development, Environment & Sustainability
How it works
You will take 36 credit hours across three semesters, including five required core courses to develop competence in international and global governance, history, statistics, economics, and policy analysis. From there, you'll take an additional required core concentration course, three additional concentration courses, and three electives from a broad set of courses at the Hamilton Lugar and O’Neill Schools and within Indiana University's College of Arts and Sciences.
Fall Semester
2 general core courses
1 concentration core course
1 additional concentration course
1 elective
Spring Semester
2 general core courses
2 additional concentration courses
1 elective
Summer
1 general core course
1 elective
Note: You may also substitute an internationally-focused internship as an elective. This could potentially be paired with an online course over the summer.
History of the International System (INTL-I 520)
International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy (SPEA-D 577)
Global Governance and International Organizations (INTL-I 521)
Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (SPEA-V 506)
Practicum in International Policy Analysis (INTL-I 500)
Elective courses organized by concentration
Fall
International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy (SPEA-D 577)
Global Governance and International Organizations (INTL-I 521)
Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (SPEA-V 506)
International Security Regimes(INTL-I 523)
1 Elective in Concentration
Spring
Practicum in International Policy Analysis (INTL-I 500)
History of the International System (INTL-I 520)
2 Electives in Concentration
1 Elective outside Concentration
Summer
International Internship for 3 credits
1 Elective course online
Note: Choices are more limited in the summer
Fall
International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy (SPEA-D 577)
Global Governance and International Organizations (INTL-I 521)
Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (SPEA-V 506)
Development Economics (SPEA-D 573)
1 Elective in Concentration
Spring
Practicum in International Policy Analysis (INTL-I 500)
History of the International System (INTL-I 520)
2 Electives in Concentration
1 Elective outside Concentration
Summer
2 Elective courses outside Concentration
Note: Choices are more limited in the summer
Fall
International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy (SPEA-D 577)
Global Governance and International Organizations (INTL-I 521)
Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (SPEA-V 506)
2 Elective in Concentration
Spring
Practicum in International Policy Analysis (INTL-I 500)
History of the International System (INTL-I 520)
Seminar in Global Development (INTL-I 503)
1 Elective in Concentration
1 Elective outside Concentration
Summer
Internationally-oriented internship in Bloomington for 3 credits
1 Elective course outside concentration
Note: Choices are more limited in the summer
You may design your own concentration with permission of the MIA program director. This option is intended to be exercised in very limited circumstances.*
A tradition of global engagement
In today’s deeply connected and complex world, we need leaders with a globally focused mindset and practical skillset to navigate the intersections of security, politics, ethics, and finance. Our faculty are here to help.
The Hamilton Lugar School and the O'Neill School are led by world-class scholars and practitioners who will help shape your understanding of how the world works beyond our borders. You will benefit not only from the diversity of their expertise but also the enduring legacies of our schools' namesakes: Hon. Lee Hamilton and the late Sen. Richard Lugar, and former US Secretary of the Treasury Paul H. O’Neill—three of America's finest public servants.
You can complete the degree part-time over a period that extends beyond one year. Admitted students who wish to explore this possibility should discuss it with the MIA co-directors. Currently, the program does not offer a fully online version, so it must be completed in person.
There are no prerequisite courses. However, you must have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation if you are applying as a college senior. We base admission decisions on the overall quality of the application.
The MIA degree follows the procedures set by Indiana University which can be found on covid.iu.edu
As of December 2020, tuition will be $515.83 per credit hour for in-state residents and $1,268.75 for non-residents.
What internships do you anticipate being available, and who are the Hamilton Lugar School’s contacts who would support paid/unpaid internships? Are there particular nonprofits, private companies, or government agencies with which you anticipate a strong relationship that would increase the likelihood of placements?
We anticipate students will pursue a broad range of internship opportunities across sectors. You will have access to career services support from both HLS and O’Neill as well as the possibility of ad hoc assistance by faculty members and alumni in your internship search.
It’s possible to have more than one concentration! Work with your academic advisor or faculty director to map out the courses from the outset if you wish to pursue multiple concentrations within the 36 credit hours.
Admissions will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 1. Please note the final, hard deadlines for international and domestic applications:
Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies