MIS Curriculum Overview

In accordance with employer priorities, the MIS Executive Track emphasizes intellectual and practical skills, including knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences, critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills. Additionally, students will be able to build their own concentration that assists them in reaching their professional goals, while taking full advantage of a coherent and strong graduate education.

To keep track of your degree requirements, please refer to your Academic Advising Worksheets.

Core Course
Proseminar in International Affairs is designed especially for Master of International Service degree candidates. It provides a graduate-level introduction to the fundamental theories, concepts, and controversies in the contemporary study of international affairs. The course establishes a foundation for advanced study and understanding of international relations and builds a bridge between theory and practice in today’s world. It emphasizes the ability to think about international relations from a variety of theoretical and conceptual perspectives and understand the resulting implications for policymaking.
Professional Competencies

Executive Leadership is a required course for Master of International Service degree candidates. In an interactive class, students will discuss decision-making, ethical leadership, strategic communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence, leading multi-cultural workforces, and change and crisis management. They will have an opportunity to gain insight into their leadership strengths, challenges that may be impeding their effectiveness, and ways of creating leadership impact. *The MIS Executive Leadership course is a hybrid course: The coursework for this class will be divided between the dedicated time during an On-Campus Immersion, and once-a-week online classes during the semester. Usually offered in fall and summer. Additional fees may incur.

Research Methods

Students can choose 1 of 3 different methods courses that focus on the quantitative and qualitative approaches needed to conduct international relations research, design and manage a project or assess and minimize risk. Topics include statistical analysis, policy analysis, program evaluation, interviewing, focus groups, case studies, participant observation, content analysis, and planning and forecasting techniques. These courses are usually offered every term.

Economics
Usually offered every term, students can choose 1 of 3 different economics courses. Designed exclusively for the MIS student, the Understanding Global Economics and Markets course provides an understanding of the main economic forces which have driven the globalization process. It covers the fundamentals of micro- and macroeconomics and the financial markets without recourse to unnecessary jargon, mathematics, or statistics. For a more traditional approach to economics, students can select Introduction to Economic Theory or test out and take the more advanced International Economics course which examines comparative advantage and neoclassical trade theory, contemporary trade theories, the balance of payments, accounting, exchange rates, and open economy macroeconomics and economic development.

Capstone Options
During their final semester, students will complete a Capstone designed to bridge theory and practice. Many students opt for the Practicum in International Affairs which is designed to give students real-world experience in project management and consulting. In traditional practica, students work in teams with clients such as U.S. and international government agencies, non-profit organizations and businesses to conduct policy and program analysis. The MIS-exclusive Executive Practicum allows you to choose your own client or audience and design your own project to produce a resume-worthy accomplishment. To learn more, see the FAQs. Alternatively, students can choose to complete the Substantial Research Paper; a research or policy paper based on independent research. The scope and topic of the paper can vary.