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The Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) program is a one-year Master’s degree leveraging ACM's strategic location in Southern France. The program builds on the historic academic tradition of the Institute for American Universities (IAU), ACM's study abroad institute,  as one of the first American institutions abroad to prepare students for careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service or in international business. French was the language of diplomacy at the founding of the Institute for American Universities in the late 1950’s when the Cold War was at the forefront of the international political landscape. The founders of IAU had this in mind when they constructed a curriculum based in Political Science and International Relations. The Humanities and Social Sciences have always played an important role at IAU and will naturally serve as the intellectual backbone of the MAIR.

As a founding member of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU), IAU, and by extension, ACM, is part of a network of prestigious American institutions of higher learning dedicated to promoting American-style education abroad. Thanks to these connections, ACM shares resources and expertise with premiere academic institutions such as American University of Beirut, American University of Cairo, American University of Paris, and Central European University.


Learning Outcomes

The ACM MAIR Program will empower students to:

  • Develop advanced research, writing, and negotiation skills required to conduct rigorous scholarly inquiry in international relations and effectively communicate findings;
  • Demonstrate sophisticated analytical skills in evaluating complex global issues in their political, economic, geographic, and cultural dimensions;
  • Assess the institutions and functions of the contemporary international order and identify key challenges;
  • Critically examine the power dynamics of the Euro-Mediterranean region and how they intersect with broader global relations;
  • Synthesize theoretical and practical knowledge of international relations into informed, well-reasoned, and contextually appropriate policy recommendations;
  • Cultivate a cosmopolitan approach to evaluating internationa affairs that demonstrates an appreciation of diverse national, cultural, theoretical, and ethical perspectives on global challenges.


International Field Studies and Research

A defining characteristic of ACM programs is the synthesis of academic and experiential learning. MAIR candidates will have the chance to conduct field study and short-term research in other cities in the region such as Brussels, Geneva, Paris, the Hague, Madrid, Rabat, and Tangier. With ACM’s network of international scholars, intellectuals, and politicians, students will observe international organizations such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, the UN High Commission for Human Rights, the World Trade Organization, NATO, and various consulates and embassies in Europe and North Africa. Students may also have opportunity to pursue internships or externships with various international institutions and NGOs.


Internships

At the end of the spring semester, ACM will help students secure an internship in a government or non-government organization, or international business in the region or elsewhere. The ACM local contact network includes places such as the US Consulate General in Marseille, City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, l’Office du Tourisme, Maritime Organizations in Marseille, the International Red Cross, crisis relief agencies for immigrants, and many others. Although ACM guides and supports students in this process, each student is responsible for applying and interviewing for internships. Students will receive three credits for their internship, submitting regular reports to their advisors with a final report in July.

Language and Culture

All students admitted into the program will be required to take French language and culture courses in the Fall and Spring semesters of the program. If admitted students are Francophone speakers with high proficiency, they may fulfill the language requirement in Arabic.

Degree Requirements

The MAIR is a thirty-six credit, one-year program consisting of five required core courses including Research Methods (15 credits), two language courses (6 credits), three other courses in IRL or related fields according to student interest (9 credits), an intersession traveling seminar (3 credits), and finally a Capstone Project (3 credits) submitted no later than July 31st for successful completion of the program. In Spring students will choose to pursue one of following Capstone options:

  • Research Track: The Research Track involves a project building on prior course work and additional research leading to either a traditional Masters’ Thesis (up to 15,000 words) or another research-based project to be designed in collaboration with the capstone advisor. Such a project may involve producing a documentary film, creating a series of podcasts, conducting and analyzing a collection of interviews, or organizing a community project.
  • Policy and Practice Track: This track is designed for those students who hope to find hands-on work in a field related to international relations and look to develop practical skills via an internship or consultancy project. Internships (120 hours minimum) will then culminate in either a policy paper or consultancy report arising out of their experiences during the internship. Although ACM guides and supports students in this process, each student is responsible for applying and interviewing for internships. Students will receive three credits for their internship, submitting regular reports to their advisors with a final report in July.


Courses

During this year-long program (two semesters plus January Term and summer work), students will complete the MAIR core courses and have the opportunity to choose from electives relating to International Relations, International Business, Economics and International Law.


Semester 1 (15 Credits)

All students take five 500-level courses, including four core courses (below) and one language that they will study during the year to fulfill the language proficiency requirement.

  • IRL 504: Theories of International Relations
  • POL 510: Comparative Politics
  • IRL 500: Research Methods for International Relations
  • BUS/IRL 537: International Negotiations
  • Language Requirement

 

January Term (3 Credits)

MAIR students will take advantage of ACM’s January term programs, choosing from one of the following multi-countrytraveling seminars exploring the politics, economies, histories,and cultures of the countries visited:

  • Diplomacy and Human Rights - France, the Netherlands, Morocco, Spain
  • Europe and the Islamic World - France, Morocco, Spain

 

Semester 2 (15 Credits)

All students take five 500-level courses: one core course (below), one language course, and three elective courses in IRL or related fields chosen in consultation with their advisors. One elective may be replaced by an internship/consultancy subject to Director approval.
  • IRL/BUS 547: Beyond Borders: Markets, States and the Global Order
  • Three electives
  • Language Requirement

Sample Electives:

  • Language Requirement
  • The European Union: Integration, Enlargement, Unity
  • Geopolitics in The Mediterranean Basin
  • The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
  • Media and Conflict
  • International Economics and The European Union
  • Global Justice
  • Contemporary Political Philosophy
  • Global Environmental Politics
  • US Diplomacy in an Age of Change
  • Contemporary French Politics
  • International Law and Politics of Armed Conflict
  • French Colonialism in the Middle East and North Africa

Semester 2 (14 credits)

All students will elect three 500-level courses (9 credits) from IR courses related to their interests, take a Thesis Seminar (2 credits), and continue with one language course (3 credits) to fulfill the language proficiency requirement.


Sample Electives:

  • The European Union: Integration, Enlargement, Unity
  • Geopolitics in The Mediterranean Basin
  • US Foreign Policy
  • The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
  • Media and Conflict
  • International Economics and The European Union
  • Ecology of Mediterranean
  • Global Environmental Politics
  • Muslim Presence in Europe
  • International Law and Politics of Armed Conflict
  • North Africa and Colonial History

Summer (3 credits)

IRL 599: Capstone Project

  • Research Track: Thesis (up to 15,000 words) or equivalent project
  • Policy and Practice Track: Internship (120 hours) and an associated policy paper or consultancy report


Total = 36 credits


ACM Faculty

ACM faculty is comprised of experts in the field of international relations, diplomacy, conflict analysis and resolution, environmental policy, and Mediterranean and European Studies. Both academics and professionals in their field, IAU faculty provide the MAIR the academic depth and the real-life experience necessary for a well-rounded international relations education. 

Admissions Requirements

Students admitted to the MAIR must have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (120 units of academic credit) with some proficiency in at least one language other than English. International experience and/or knowledge of other cultures is highly recommended for admission into the program. For international applicants who completed their course of study in any language other than English, a minimum TOEFL score of 79 is required. Apply Now!


For questions regarding the program or admissions, please contact ACM's U.S. Office of Admissions at admissions@acmfrance.org or call 1-800-221-2051.

Cover photo by Natalie Weelborg, 2017 

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