Overview
Key learning outcomes
Through the master’s degree field in International Relations offered by Harvard University, you:
- Gain an understanding of the perspectives and implications of global issues, such as poverty, genocide, armed conflict, terrorism, human rights, and the environment.
- Develop critical insights and analysis of the precursors, processes, and outcomes of international interactions between governments, organizations, businesses, groups, and individuals.
- Build knowledge of the evolution, operations, and complexity of regional and global governmental and nongovernmental institutions dealing with trade, economies, and international law.
Program overview
The degree includes 12 courses, with at least three taken on campus.
- Get started. You begin by completing three stipulated degree courses as outlined on the degree requirements page. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your commitment and ability to perform well as a Harvard student
- Apply to the program. While you are completing your third degree course, you submit the application. We have application cycles in the fall, spring, and summer.
- Continue your studies, online and on campus. As you progress through the program, you choose from courses offered on campus or online, year round in the fall, spring, or summer. To fully experience Harvard, you take at least three courses on campus.
- If you choose the thesis option. You'll work with a thesis director to conduct in-depth research on a topic relevant to your work experience or academic interests, producing publishable quality results. You’ll emerge with a solid understanding of how research is executed and communicated.
- If you choose the capstone option. You have two choices: policy analysis capstone or national security analysis capstone. For either, you select a concrete policy problem, produce autonomous research to analyze it, provide a set of actionable recommendations to solve it, and defend it to a panel of experts.
- Graduate with your Harvard degree. You participate in the annual Harvard Commencement, receiving your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, field: International Relations.
Programme Structure
The Master of Liberal Arts, International Relations degree field consists of 12 courses, three of which are required on campus. You choose a thesis or capstone track.
12 Graduate Courses
The degree is highly customizable. Within the program curriculum, you choose the international relation courses and electives that meet your personal learning goals.- The proseminar
- 5 international relations courses
- 1 international relations seminar
- 1 elective
- 1 research methods and data analysis course
- Crafting the Thesis Proposal
- Master’s Thesis part one
- Master's Thesis part two
- An additional general elective
- Precapstone: Foundations of Policy Writing and Analysis or Foundations of National Security Writing and Analysis
- Capstone: Policy Analysis or National Security Policy Analysis Capstone
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 12 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
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- Starting
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Language
Credits
Delivered
Disciplines
International Relations International Development View 195 other Masters in International Development in United StatesAcademic requirements
English requirements
Other requirements
General requirements
To begin the admission process, you simply register—no application required):
- SSCI 100B Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies and Scholarly Writing in the Social Sciences--Government and History
- Before registering, you'll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills, or earn a B or higher in EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences.
- You have two attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in the proseminar (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt). The proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.
- One international relations course
- One international relations course or elective (e.g., EXPO 42b)
While the three courses don't need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, we highly recommend that you start with the proseminar. All three courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.
Tuition Fee
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International
37200 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 37200 USD for the full programme during 12 months. -
National
37200 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 37200 USD for the full programme during 12 months.
Living costs for Cambridge
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Financing
Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.
Funding
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.