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

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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)