The New School at the The Studley Graduate Program in International Affairs

About this program

Named one of the top international affairs programs by the Foreign Policy Association, the Julien J. Studley Graduate Program in International Affairs (SGPIA) is distinctive in the New School tradition: critical, engaged, and truly global. SGPIA constantly adapts its curriculum to respond to the most pressing current issues, such as social and economic rights, urban and community development, new media and technology, environmental justice, migration and refugees, international law, conflict, and peacebuilding.

SGPIA offers two master's degree options: the Master of Arts in International Affairs, a traditional, 42-credit degree with a structured core curriculum and five concentrations that allow students to specialize in a particular area of international affairs; and the Master of Science in International Affairs, a 30-credit degree that enables experienced professionals to acquire a unique combination of substantive knowledge and practical tools through our innovative modular approach. Returned Peace Corps volunteers with two years of completed service may be considered for the MS degree.

SGPIA faculty are leading scholars from around the world, with backgrounds ranging from anthropology, sociology, and political science to media and economics. The program also draws on the wide range of leading experts and professionals in New York, who bring to the classroom recent international experience with a range of issues and professional fields.

The Studley Graduate Program in International Affairs is committed to immersive, long-term, field-based learning. In addition to providing a range of opportunities for internships and practicums, the program offers two intensive summer programs that are open to students in the MA and MS programs, as well as students from other New School programs and other universities:

• Our signature International Field Program, with research and internship opportunities at sites around the world
• The seven-week United Nations Summer Study, an immersive program based at UN headquarters.

• Year partnership began: 2001
• Fellowships awarded per year (average): 2

Application requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor degree (Or a US equivalent) from an accredited institution.

Admissions process

Applications consist of transcripts from previous graduate and/or undergraduate study, 2 letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and a description of service. Applications are evaluated based on stated career goals, moral commitment, community involvement, and academic achievement. A decision to admit is based on the committee's belief in your potential to successfully complete an advanced degree. As part of the admission process, your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation are carefully reviewed for evidence of interpersonal skills, maturity, and leadership potential, among other qualities.

Degrees awarded

Master of Arts in International Affairs; Master of Science in International Affairs

Benefits and opportunities

Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing. See cost savings details for more.

Estimated annual cost of living: $30,588

Cost savings details

Minimum 25% tuition and mandatory fee waivers. The financial information above applies to the MS International Affairs program and reflects 2023-24 tuition cost and mandatory fees for full time study and at the minimum scholarship offered (25%). Please visit our website for more information.

Internship

Internship opportunities for full time students are approximately 400 hours over the course of the degree. Our career services staff is on hand to assist students in finding an internship placement or students can select a site themselves. Examples of previous internship sites include the following: International Rescue Committee; Global Green USA; Amnesty International; Doctors without Borders; Global Poverty Project; Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism; Africa Volunteer Corps.

Other opportunities

Fellows can take classes across the university from programs outside their course of study, opening up opportunities in other disciplines, such as design. Fellows receive individualized career advising from staff familiar with the Peace Corps and its mission and values. Fellows from all programs can participate our annual International Field Program or United Nations Summer Study.

Jobs for alumni

Political Affairs Officer, United Nations; Coordinator for Fundraising and Corporate Partnerships, UNICEF; Finance Manager, United Nations World Food Program; Gender Specialist, UNFPA; Policy and Advocacy Associate, Women Deliver; Consultant, The World Bank; Education in Emergencies Programme Manager, Save the Children International- Iraqi Kurdistan; Campaign Coordinator, Extractive Industries Program, Oxfam America; Foreign Service Officer, US Department of State; Foreign Desk Editor, National Danish Broadcasting Corporation; Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins sans Frontières; Associate Producer, MSNBC, New York.

Nontraditional options

Low-residency/distance learning, Part-time degree program

We offer a hybrid learning option where enrolled students can pursue the first 18 credits remotely. There is also a summer start open to domestic students.

The majority of our classes meet only once a week in the evenings to cater to working adult students.