Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in International Studies (Non-thesis Option)

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with a major in International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for work and leadership in an interdependent world. Through training in area studies, technology information training, oral and written communication skills, and business acumen, the program aims to develop leaders for business, government, military, education, non-profit organizations, and international institutions that are collectively facing an increasingly interdependent world where cultural diversity is a reality and the need to appreciate and value such heterogeneity is a prerequisite to global peace and prosperity.

Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program

The Coverdell Fellowship Program for returned Peace Corps volunteers is currently available for returned volunteers pursuing the master's degree in International Studies at the Center for International Studies.

Financial Assistance

A limited number of fellowships and scholarships are available to qualified graduate students. Departmental fellowships and scholarships are listed on the Center for International Studies website: http://www.txstate.edu/internationalstudies. The Graduate College can provide further information about scholarships.

Application Requirements

The items listed below are required for admission consideration for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Submission instructions, additional details, and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website. International students should review the International Admission Documents page for additional requirements.

  • completed online application
  • $55 nonrefundable application fee

         or

  • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
  • baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
  • official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
  • a 2.75 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)*
  • proficiency in the speaking, reading, and oral comprehension of a modern language other than English as demonstrated by the following:
    • grade of B or better in modern language course work beyond the second year that was taken within the last three years at an accredited college, university, or language institute
    • examination for proficiency levels in reading, speaking, and listening that would place the student beyond the second year of language courses*
    • recent foreign living experience of at least six continuous months in a single non-English-speaking culture outside the U.S.
  • GRE not required*
  • resume/CV 
  • statement of purpose (2–5 pages) describing the following:
    • the reasons for considering the international studies program
    • how it fits into a process of professional development
    • what the student hopes to accomplish by enrolling in the program
  • three letters of recommendation from professors

Coverdell Applicants Requirements

  • completed online application
  • baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
  • official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
  • a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)*
  • background course work: a passing grade in at least 6 hours in introductory (principles of) microeconomics  and macroeconomics courses (can be taken prior to the start of the program or concurrently with first year courses) at a regionally accredited college of university
  • proficiency in the speaking, reading, and oral comprehension of a modern language other than English as demonstrated by the following:
    • grade of B or better in modern language course work beyond the second year that was taken within the last three years at an accredited college, university, or language institute
    • examination of proficiency levels in reading, speaking, and listening that would place the student beyond the second year of language courses*
    • recent foreign living experience of at least 6 continuous months in a single non-English-speaking culture outside the U.S.
  • GRE not required*
  • official Peace Corps description of service (application fees may be waived upon receipt) 
  • resume/CV listing Peace Corps Service
  • statement of purpose (2–5 pages) describing the following:
    • the reasons for considering the international studies program
    • how it fits into a process of professional development
    • what the student hopes to accomplish by enrolling in the program
    • Peace Corps service
  • two letters of recommendation from professors

Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

  • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
  • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
  • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
    • minimum individual module scores of 6.0
  • official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
  • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

*Additional Information 
GPA and GRE Requirement
If the overall GPA or last-60-hours GPA falls between 2.8–2.99, the student may submit the following:

  • official GRE (general test only) scores with competitive scores

Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement
If the last language course was taken more than three years before the date of admission, and there has been no significant involvement in the language in the interim, the student may be asked to take a refresher course(s) in the language.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with a major in International Studies requires 36 semester credit hours, including an internship.

Course Requirements

Required Courses
Choose 3 hours global history from the following:3
Early Modern Spain
Western European History Since 1815
Women's Rights in Comparative Perspective
Women and Empire
Eighteenth Century England
The Age of the Stuarts
European Imperialism
European Sexualities
European Fascisms and Historical Memory
The Age of the Tudors
Society and Culture in Brazil
Race, Class, and Nation in Modern Latin America
Slavery and Emancipation in the Americas
Writing the History of Latin America: The Colonial Era
Modern Latin American Revolutions
History of Mexico to 1848
Revolutionary Mexico
Mexico Since the Revolution
Twentieth-Century Russia
East European History
Caribbean Transnationalism and Diplomacy
Immigration and US History
History of Mexican American Music in the Southwest
Military History
Chinese Communism
China and the Modern World
Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East
Interpretations of World History
Mahatma Gandhi in World History
European Colonialism
Global Cold War
Choose 9 hours of global politics from the following:9
Studies in Ancient and Medieval Political Thought
Social Contract Theory
Contemporary Perspectives in Modern Liberalism
The Crisis of Liberalism and The Future of Democracy
Theological Perspectives in Modern Democracy
The Problem of Power and the Crisis of Modernity
Nuclear Weapons in International Politics
Party Systems in Latin America
Problems in Political Science: International Humanitarian Affairs
Topics in Comparative Politics of European and Developing Countries
Authoritarian Regimes
Problems in American Foreign Relations
The British Political Order Since 1900
Russian Politics and Josef Stalin
Comparative Democratization
Economic Development in Developing Nations
Government and Politics of African States
Problems of Democracy in Latin America
Party Systems in Latin America
Seminar in International Relations Theory
Problems in International Organizations
Problems in International Law
Problems in International Political Economy
International Conflict and Security
Directed Reading and Research
Internship3
International Studies Internship
Prescribed Electives
Choose 21 hours from the following:21
Advanced Principles of Cultural Anthropology
Anthropology and Art
Latin American Cultures
Rise of Civilization
Peoples and Cultures of Africa
Medical Anthropology
Archaeology of Mesoamerica
The Incas
Gender and Sexuality in Cross Cultural Perspective
Andean Civilizations
Cultural Heritage Management
The Politics of Language
Multicultural Teaching and Learning
Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language
Intelligence Gathering and Operational Issues As Applied to Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operation
Intercultural Communication
Seminar in Human Communication Theory
Diversity Studies: Theories & Issues
Global Issues in Diversity
International Economics
Emerging Market Economies
Foundations in Technical Communication
Studies in Principles of Technical Communication 1
Specializations in Technical Communication 1
Studies in Rhetorical Theory 1
Environmental Studies
Geographic Analysis of Global Issues
Environment Problems of the U.S.-Mexico Border
Seminar in Nature and Heritage Tourism
Population Geography
Independent Study 1
Early Modern Spain
Western European History Since 1815
Women's Rights in Comparative Perspective
Women and Empire
Eighteenth Century England
The Age of the Stuarts
European Imperialism
European Sexualities
European Fascisms and Historical Memory
The Age of the Tudors
Society and Culture in Brazil
Race, Class, and Nation in Modern Latin America
Slavery and Emancipation in the Americas
Writing the History of Latin America: The Colonial Era
Modern Latin American Revolutions
History of Mexico to 1848
Revolutionary Mexico
Mexico Since the Revolution
Twentieth-Century Russia
East European History
Caribbean Transnationalism and Diplomacy
Immigration and US History
History of Mexican American Music in the Southwest
Military History
Chinese Communism
China and the Modern World
Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East
Problems in Historical Research 1
Interpretations of World History
Mahatma Gandhi in World History
European Colonialism
Global Cold War
International Studies Internship
Problems in International Studies Research
General Research Methods
Mass Media and Society
Research Methods in Mass Communication
Theories of Mass Communication
Refugees, Nonprofit Organizations and Strategic Communication
Global Media Issues
Latinos and Media
Global Media in the Connected World
Seminar in Management
Marketing Research Methods
International Marketing
History of Music in Latin America
Applied Philosophy
Professional Ethics
Food Ethics
Themes in Africana Philosophy
Comparative Public Administration
Studies in Ancient and Medieval Political Thought
Social Contract Theory
Contemporary Perspectives in Modern Liberalism
The Crisis of Liberalism and The Future of Democracy
Theological Perspectives in Modern Democracy
Nuclear Weapons in International Politics
Party Systems in Latin America
Problems in Political Science: International Humanitarian Affairs
Topics in Comparative Politics of European and Developing Countries
Authoritarian Regimes
Problems in American Foreign Relations
The British Political Order Since 1900
Russian Politics and Josef Stalin
Comparative Democratization
Economic Development in Developing Nations
Government and Politics of African States
Problems of Democracy in Latin America
Party Systems in Latin America
Seminar in International Relations Theory
Problems in International Organizations
Problems in International Law
Problems in International Political Economy
International Conflict and Security
Directed Reading and Research
Philosophical Issues in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Seminar in Demography
Seminar in Sustainable Cities
Seminar in Sociology of Racial and Ethnic Relations
Directed Study 1
Seminar in Food and Society
Seminar in Globalization and Development
Global Insecurity
International Social Work
Product Design and Development
Problems in Technology 1
Readings in Technology 1
Total Hours36
1

Classes must have global/international emphasis

Comprehensive Examination Requirement

Students are required to take a written comprehensive exam in their last semester of the program.  Students must pass the comprehensive exam during the last semester in at most two attempts.  If the student fails to pass the comprehensive exam in two attempts during the final semester, the student will retake the comprehensive exam during the next regular semester. 

An oral exam is part of the comprehensive examination requirement.  Students are required to take the exam in their last semester and must pass in at most two attempts.  If the student fails to pass the oral exam in two attempts during the final semester, the student will retake the oral exam during the next regular semester. 

Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for the degree within the timelines specified will be dismissed from the program.

Master's level courses in International Studies: IS

Courses Offered

International Studies (IS)

IS 5387. International Studies Internship.

A work/research experience in a government agency or company related to the students’ career interests. The internship will consist of a minimum of 150 hours in the workplace and will require a research paper. This course may be repeated once for additional internship credit. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 1 Lab Contact Hour.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

IS 5390. Problems in International Studies Research.

The instructor and student create an in-depth research project on a topic of interest to both participants.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

IS 5398. General Research Methods.

The principal purpose of the General Research Methods seminar is to prepare students to successfully produce research papers and/or theses. Students in this course will produce a research paper using primary and secondary source materials.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter