Full-time Students:
Please Note: This is meant as a guide and does not account for all possible scenarios.
First Semester:
- Take core course requirements (we advise all first semester full-time students to take Analytic Skills, IR and IPE).*
- Take a fourth core course requirement (recommend International Law) OR take your concentration pre-requisite course (strongly recommended for Peacebuilding, Private Sector, International Development/Humanitarian Assistance, & Environment/Energy Policy concentrations) OR consider taking a Regional course of interest. Other MSGA courses may be appropriate for first semester students, but please consult with a staff advisor if you plan to take non-core courses in your first semester.
*If you plan to pursue the Peacebuilding concentration, we recommend taking Peacemaking & Peacebuilding (GLOB1-GC1010) and Conflict Assessment (GLOB1-GC 2005 in your first semester, along with the core classes Analytic Skills and IR.
Second Semester: You will be declaring your concentration during this semester.
- Complete your core course requirements.
- Take your concentration pre-requisite course.
- Take at least one additional concentration course and/or perhaps an elective if you are still undecided about your concentration.
Third Semester: At this point your concentration should be declared.
- All core course requirements should be completed. If not, please take any remaining core courses.
- Take primarily concentration courses. If you have not taken your concentration pre-requisite, make sure that you take it.
- Possibly explore supplemental electives of interest (Remember: You can only take a maximum of three electives outside of your concentration).
Fourth Semester
- Thesis/Capstone project will be completed during this semester.
- Assess your remaining requirements and select course(s) accordingly.
Part-time Students:
Please Note: Part-time students have up to five years to complete the M.S. in Global Affairs program. The guide below provides suggestions for your first few semesters. However, we understand that part-time students all have individual circumstances and time-constraints that require a more personalized approach to course registration and their ultimate timeline for completion. Part-time students should check-in with their academic advisors and MSGA admin advisors for more specialized guidance.
First Semester:
- Take core course requirements (we advise all first semester part-time students to take Analytic Skills, IR and/or IPE first).
- If you intend to take alternate core courses (such as International Law) or your concentration pre-requisite, please consult with the department administration prior to finalizing your schedule.
Second Semester:
- Take one or two core course requirements.
- Consider taking your concentration pre-requisite course if it is available at a convenient time for you.
Third Semester:
You should be declaring your concentration during this semester if you have hit 12 credits.
- Take remaining core course requirements.
- Consider taking your concentration pre-requisite course if it is available at a convenient time for you.
- Consider experimenting with other concentration courses of interest.
Fourth Semester:
- If you have not already taken your concentration pre-requisite, please aim to do so during this semester.
- Take concentration courses of interest.
Additional Semesters:
- Take concentration and elective courses of interest.
- Make sure you’ve completed all required courses.
Final Semester:
- Thesis/Capstone project will be completed during this semester (if you are working full-time, please do not plan to take your thesis in conjunction with another course).