Students who choose this concentration take cross-university courses to focus their studies in international relations and build essential skills to take on a variety of leadership roles in the international community.

Developing an understanding of international policy and global governance can help public servants apply their passion for improving lives to communities around the world.

What can students accomplish in the international community with an MPA degree?

A Master of Public Administration degree prepares students to be leaders. In the international relations concentration, students will apply core leadership skills to global concepts such as intercultural communication, economic development, international law, and conflict resolution.

The skills that students develop in the international relations concentration will prepare them for careers in the following areas:

  • NGO and nonprofit management
  • Government administration
  • Embassy and diplomacy work
  • Program and project management
  • International development
  • Intercultural communications and negotiation
  • Foreign and public policy
  • National security
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Coursework

Courses in the international relations concentration are offered in conjunction with the American University School of International Service (SIS), one of the nation’s top-ranked schools of international relations. Classes and coursework can be completed using the same technology as MPA @ UNC courses and are designed for students to gain foundational knowledge of international relations. Students will learn how to apply the core skills of public service leaders to careers in the international arena.

Students who want to pursue an international relations concentration must complete at least nine credits from the list of electives below or other elective courses approved in advance:

9 credits hours

(only available for online students)

Approved through MPA@UNC and taken at American University

Faculty Contact

Willow Jacobson