Master of Arts in International Relations

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.

Candidates for the MAIR can choose to specialize in one of the following tracks:

• Mediterranean Studies
• European Studies
• Environmental Policy
• Conflict Analysis and Resolution
• Diplomacy

Field Studies & 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 Brussels, Strasbourg, Geneva, Paris, Madrid, Rabat and Istanbul. With ACM’s network of international scholars, intellectuals, and politicians, students will observe international organizations such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, the World Trade Organization, NATO, and various consulates and embassies in North Africa and Turkey.

Internships

At the end of the spring semester, ACM will help students secure internships in various government and non-government organizations or international businesses 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 four 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 will fulfill the language requirement in either Arabic or Spanish.

Degree Requirements

The MAIR is a thirty-six credit hour, one-year program consisting of required three-credit core courses (15 units), several different electives according to students' chosen tracks (9 units), an intersession traveling seminar (4 units), an internship during the second semester (4 units), and finally a Master’s Thesis (4 units) submitted at the completion of the program. A Master’s Thesis prospective will be submitted in the second semester for approval by the student’s advisor. Students will continue to work on the thesis paper with their advisor and submit no later than July 1st for successful completion of the program. The advisor will help determine the student’s particular track of study depending on the thesis’ area of focus.