The MS in Global Affairs (MSGA) is the flagship graduate program of the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs (CGA), repeatedly ranked by the Foreign Policy Association as one of the nation’s leading institutions in preparing students for international relations and foreign service jobs. The MSGA curriculum provides the global insight and contextual perspectives of international affairs that are needed to become a well-rounded professional in the global arena. It affords you the benefits, resources, and prestige of earning your degree at NYU, while immersing yourself in NYC—home to the United Nations and one of the largest international affairs/diplomatic communities in the world.
Master's (MSGA) in Global Affairs
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Degree Advantage
- Degree core curriculum that prepares you for international relations jobs across public, private, and nonprofit sectors
- Eight degree concentrations that span across the field of international relations
- Specializations in Data Analytics, Global Risk, and the United Nations
- Study Abroad Opportunities (Global Field Intensives)
- Faculty members who are experts in their fields
- Consulting practicums that provide experience in helping organizations to analyze and address challenges
- Internships at government agencies; law firms; and human rights, energy, and environmental organizations
- Flexible full- or part-time study options
- Can be completed in as little as 16 months
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
You can find the full curriculum details for this program on this page of the University Bulletin. All other content, including this web page is for informational purposes only.
Discover NYU SPS: Graduate Admissions Information Sessions
Join an online session to learn more about our graduate degree programs, including the MS in Global Affairs. Our admissions team will give you insights into the NYU SPS experience, share details about the application process, and offer tips for creating a successful application. Current students will also share their personal experiences, providing a firsthand perspective on life as an SPS student.
Who Should Consider Earning the MS in Global Affairs?
The MS in Global Affairs affords student from all walks of life the opportunity to pursue their passion for international affairs with those who share a common bond of wanting to make a difference in the world. Recent college graduates and young professionals from around the globe immerse themselves in the comprehensive curriculum that prepares them well to achieve their career goals and objectives.
DEGREE OVERVIEW VIDEO
Choose From Eight Degree Concentrations
The MS in Global Affairs provides the flexibility for you to explore a variety of different career options through unique concentrations.
Gain Invaluable Experience Through Study Abroad
Study abroad opportunities abound for MS in Global Affairs students through short-term Global Field Intensives (GFIs). These travel experiences provide deep insights into critical global issues, by immersing students in the cultural, socio-economic, and political intricacies of everyday life. Recent GFIs include trips to: Rwanda, Uganda, Norway, Denmark, and the UAE.
Learn From a Faculty of World-Renowned International Relations Experts
MSGA faculty members are thought leaders and scholars in their areas of expertise who bring deep knowledge of critical global issues to the classroom.They have served in organizations engaged in public policy, refugee relief, and the protection of human rights, and as diplomats, journalists, UN staff members, activists, international attorneys, economists, global energy, and environment experts.
Internships and Job Opportunities
Through the Center for Global Affairs and the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS, MSGA students have the opportunity to complete international relations internships that provide the hands-on experience needed to accelerate their careers. Many of these internships evolve into permanent jobs. Our graduates go on to a wide range of careers in a broad array of companies and organizations including:
• AIG
• Con Edison
• Department of Homeland Security
• Eurasia Group
• Freedom House
• Human Rights Watch
• S&P Global Platts
• The Brookings Institution
• UNICEF UN Development
• Program UN Women
• US Department of Energy
Meet Our Alumni!
CGA is proud to service bright individuals and prepare them for a meaningful career in Global Affairs. Get to know some of our Alumni and see where their degree has led them to.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why choose a career in global affairs/international relations?
Choosing a career in global affairs/international relations prepares you for a range of professional options in government agencies, the UN, NGOs, corporations, think tanks, and intelligence and security agencies. Those who possess the knowledge and skills to address today’s global challenges are in high demand.
What is the study of global affairs?
The study of global affairs includes numerous interconnected disciplines—transnational security, cyber intelligence, global risk, international law, governance, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, gender, economics, development, the environment, energy, and human rights—all concentrations within the MS in Global Affairs.
What can I do with a master’s in global affairs?
You can do many things with a master's in global affairs including working for: an NGO in human rights, refugee relief, child welfare, advocacy, or foreign affairs; the US government in Homeland Security, the Department of State or Defense, or the FBI; a mission to the UN; a multilateral agency; or a business or consultancy.
Is an international relations degree similar to a degree in global affairs?
An international relations degree is similar, but most IR master’s degrees have a political science and historical approach, focusing on governments and institutions as the drivers of foreign affairs and relations. The MS in Global Affairs, instead focuses on trends and nontraditional shapers of foreign relations.
Who should earn a master’s in global affairs?
Individuals interested in pursuing a career in the private or public sector can benefit from earning a master’s in global affairs. The MS in Global Affairs provides the competitive and global edge for securing jobs in banks and corporations, nongovernmental and multilateral institutions, and government agencies.
Are there job opportunities in global affairs?
There are many job opportunities in global affairs now and as businesses and organizations become more globalized, those opportunities will only increase. Through internships, the connections of our faculty members, and the NYU SPS Wasserman Center for Career Development, our students secure jobs around the world.
What is the difference between the NYU International Relations masters degree and MSGA?
The difference between the MS in Global Affairs and the IR Master’s degree is how classroom learning is applied in the field. Our eight concentrations and three specializations include many courses unique to the program. Consulting practicums afford options to apply knowledge acquired at global sites, and within agencies such as the UN Counterterrorism Executive Directorate.