Explore the Many Opportunities of Maxwell’s MA IR Degree

Claudine Lim with her classmates at Parc des Bastions, Geneva Switzerland

While Maxwell’s MA IR degree is likely ALL THE DEGREE YOU NEED, some applicants find that their professional interests cross over various fields of study, and require an expanded skill set. For them, Maxwell offers a myriad of joint degree options. 

Maxwell’s MA IR Joint Degrees

Maxwell’s Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) can be combined with five other master’s degrees to create joint programs of study.

• With Public Administration: MPA /MA IR  – (2 yrs)
• Public Diplomacy: MA IR / MS PR – with Newhouse School of Communications  (2 yrs)
• With Economics: MA Economics/MA IR – (2 yrs)
• With Law: JD/ MA IR – with SU College of Law (3 yrs)
• Transatlantic Dual Degree: MA IR/MPP  – with the Hertie School of Governance (2 yrs)

Public Diplomacy Joint Degree

The joint Public Diplomacy program fuses the MA IR with a MS in Public Relations. Combining the global connections of the Maxwell School with the communications connections of the Newhouse School.

• Learn the skills to create & sustain an effective dialogue with external audiences in the international arena, representing government, international organizations, nonprofits/NGOs and the private sector to diverse audiences
• Includes a Spring Internship/Policy Seminar in Washington, DC
• Provides core courses in IR management, analysis and context along with core skills-based courses in communications and public relations

Claudine made the most of all the  opportunities available, while studying toward her PD dual degree

Alumni Spotlight

Claudine Lim, a recent PD alumna, used the opportunities afforded to her as a joint degree student in the Maxwell School and Newhouse School to leverage a position at the UN Foundation in Washington, DC.

Claudine used her time as a student at Syracuse University to the fullest by building professional experience in the following roles:

• Graduate Assistant for the Maxwell African Scholars Union
• Research Assistant at Maxwell’s Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs
• Participant in the Graduate Internships in Geneva Program, where she interned at UNICEF
• Intern at Maxwell’s National Security Studies program
• Participant in the Maxwell‑in‑Washington program, where she interned at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

She did all this while working part time teaching a ballet/Pilates/yoga workout class.  Claudine’s experience demonstrates how to best leverage the many opportunities available at Maxwell into a post-graduation professional role.

Global Programs

MA IR students have access to 17 global programs within every major region of the world. Some programs combine coursework with an internship such as the Singapore Summer Internships program, while others offer classes abroad such as the Counterterrorism Studies program in Israel.

The Survey of Current Issues in African Migration program offers MA IR students eight weeks of field experience working with International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN migration agency, on the ground in Ghana. Last summer, Carol Tojeiro worked on migration and child trafficking issues as part of this program. Students also gain UN headquarters experience in Geneva and New York City through Maxwell global programs.

Read more interesting Internship Stories – from PAIA’s going-global – global programs blog

Professor Masood Hyder

Faculty Spotlight – Masood Hyder
After decades of working in humanitarian relief and development, Masood Hyder joined the Maxwell School as a Professor of Practice in 2017. Masood currently teaches the classes Food Security and Humanitarian Action. During the spring and summer, he will be teaching UN Organizations: Managing for Change and The Practice of International Aid.

Masood’s experience at World Food Programme, UN Development Programme, and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs brings a wealth of first hand knowledge to Maxwell students.

Check Out this Selection of Related Posts

Public Diplomacy Symposium at Maxwell’s DC Campus

Alumni Profile: Jason Liu, From San Francisco to Singapore

Maxwell’s MA IR Global Programs

Maxwell’s Forum on Contemporary Issues in International Affairs

Alumni Profile: Selena Carter, from Maine to Mozambique