This program prepares students for careers in a broad range of international affairs fields, while also building character-driven leadership skills to ensure success. You’ll learn directly from our all-practitioner faculty of distinguished leaders who have extensive experience working in the fields they teach. Our faculty includes numerous current and former ambassadors, generals, admirals, U.N. officials, congressional staff, NGO leaders and more.
Working in small classes, engaged and accessible professors share insights into current challenges in critical regions around the globe. Key learning areas include diplomatic tradecraft, human rights, international negotiations, international law and many other subjects designed to prepare the next generation of character-driven leaders.
Gain hands-on international affairs experience
In this program, you’ll have ample opportunities for optional hands-on and experiential learning. One such opportunity is Washington Week in Washington D.C. During this in-person, weeklong experience, you’ll meet with a variety of professionals and institutions working on complex and high-profile foreign affairs challenges. This includes experts from USG agencies, international organizations, foreign embassies, think tanks and NGOs. You’ll also learn about pathways into rewarding careers.
Additional voluntary opportunities you can choose to participate in include:
- Collaboration with foreign students — Collaborate with students at ASU's partner universities abroad, including the American University Kyiv.
- Independent research — Earn degree credit while conducting research on an international affairs topic under the guidance of a faculty member.
- Internships — Earn degree credit while completing internships related to international affairs.
- Study abroad — Earn degree credit while studying at foreign universities.
- Weekly Zoom sessions — Build relationships with professors and fellow students and delve deeper into course content and current affairs.
As an additional benefit, you can also access ASU’s Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab.
Prepare to make a global impact and serve a greater cause with a Master of Arts in international affairs and leadership online from Arizona State University. Working in small classes, experienced foreign policy practitioners including ambassadors, generals, U.N. officials and more prepare future leaders to succeed in a variety of roles. Potential positions include foreign service officers (diplomats), national security and intelligence professionals, international organization officials, international development and foreign aid officers, military officers, NGO experts, think tank researchers, human rights defenders, refugee officers and international businesspersons.
This program consists of three core courses, a capstone and various electives. This will provide you with the flexibility to choose courses that align with your interests. Topics you can explore include global human rights, collaborations and issues in the Western Hemisphere, today’s global economy and more. Regardless of the courses you select, you’ll learn from faculty with practical experience in strategic diplomacy and grassroots engagement across cultures. To culminate the program, you’ll complete a capstone in which you’ll identify an international affairs leadership challenge and defend a tangible strategic plan for achieving impact and positive change.
IAL's all-practitioner faculty is comprised of noted experts and leaders in national security affairs. They are committed to helping their students succeed by equipping them with the tools they need, mentoring them and helping them network. Our faculty include:
- Lieutenant Generals Benjamin Freakley, Frederick Rudesheim, Vern Findley and John Goodman.
- Professors Caroline Lynch, William Deere, Dr. Lee Voth-Gaeddert.
- Rear Admiral (ret) Margaret Kibben.
- U.S. Ambassadors Kurt Volker, David Scheffer, Edward O’Donnell, Michael C. Polt, Roderick W. Moore, Dan Smith, Lino Gutierrez, Charles Ray and Jim Swan.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to become socially aware critical thinkers and global citizens.
students enrolled as of fall 2024
in research expenditures in FY23
interdisciplinary schools and departments
undergraduate degrees
graduate degrees
for humanities research, according to the National Science Foundation
Applicants to the Master of Arts in international affairs and leadership program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor’s program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master’s program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Personal statement.
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
- Writing sample.
In the statement of purpose/letter of intent (1–2 pages), applicants should describe or explain their motivations to study international affairs and leadership. The letter of intent should describe applicants' academic and professional interests to date, their reasons for pursuing a master's degree in international affairs and leadership and how this advanced degree relates to their specific future goals.
Writing sample: Applicants must submit a 3–5 page, double-spaced writing sample. The writing sample could be an original essay or a previously written research paper, essay, policy memo or other document that demonstrates the applicant's writing and analytical skills.
The admissions committee will also reach out to potential admits for an interview via Zoom, so an applicant should closely monitor their email for communication regarding scheduling.
The GRE is not required, but applicants can submit their scores to provide additional information to the admissions committee.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
If you have any questions please email Rod Moore, Program Director at [email protected] or Ashley Wright, Program Manager at [email protected].
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”