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.
More information
Visit official programme websiteProgramme 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
- Apply before
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Language
English
IELTS or TOEFL needed
Credits
48 alternative credits
Delivered
Blended
Disciplines
International Relations International Development View 109 other Masters in International Development in United StatesAcademic requirements
GPA Your GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number that indicates how well or how high you scored in your courses on average. Usually a GPA scales between 1.0 and 4.0, however different countries and universities can have different grading systems. 3 (required)
GMAT The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a test intended to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English for use in admission to a graduate management program, such as an MBA. GMAT contains 4 sections - Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal. The score has a range from 200 - 800. —
English requirements
IELTS The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading). 7 (required)
TOEFL® IBT The TOEFL iBT® is given online through the internet at desiganated testing site. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30. 100 (required)
PTE Academic PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90. —
Other requirements
General requirements
To begin the admission process, you simply register—no application required—for the following three, four-credit, graduate-level degree courses:
- SSCI 100B Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies and Scholarly Writing in the Social Sciences--Government and History
- One international relations course
- One international relations course or elective (e.g., EXPO 42b)
Tuition Fee
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International
35000 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the original amount of 35000 USD for the full programme and a duration of 12 months. -
National
35000 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the original amount of 35000 USD for the full programme and a duration of 12 months.
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.
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