Program Overview
In today’s globalized world, a master’s in international relations can be instrumental in opening doors to an array of career opportunities — including diplomacy, journalism, international business, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
In the International Relations Master’s Degree Program, you may focus on social, political, cultural, economic, environmental, security, and other issues that extend beyond borders, including the exploration and governance of shared territories, across the globe and into space.
Through the master’s degree in international relations, you will:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of global issues — such as international politics, economics, and law – to develop multicultural competence.
- Use social science methods to examine economic, political, social, and environmental processes and implications of international interactions.
- Learn to navigate rapidly changing circumstances, deepening your knowledge of the world and its complexities.
- Develop critical insights into the precursors, processes, and outcomes of international interactions between governments, organizations, and individuals.
Program Benefits
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Customizable path, stackable certificates, & experiential learning
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Expert instructors, including faculty from Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences
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Personalized academic and career advising
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A faculty-supported thesis or applied research project
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Paid research opportunities
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Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation
Customizable Course Curriculum
Our curriculum is flexible in pace and customizable by design. You’ll experience the convenience of online learning and the immersive benefits of learning in person. You can study part time, choosing courses that fit your schedule and align with your professional goals.
As you work through the program’s 12 courses, as well as a thesis or capstone project, you’ll have the opportunity to examine topics like human rights, international security, armed conflict, comparative politics, and world religions.
11 Online Courses
Courses are primarily synchronous, with fall, spring, January, and summer options.
Sample Courses:
- Strategy, Conflict, and Cooperation
- Democracy: Breakthroughs and Breakdowns
- Globalization and the Nation-State
- The Geopolitics of Technology
- Intelligence and International Security
On-Campus Experience
Join faculty and peers in person for Engaging in Scholarly Conversation, which you can take in either:
- 2 weekends
- A 3-week summer session
See course spotlight.
Capstone or Thesis Track
Choose the track that fits your goals:
- Thesis: features a 9-month independent research project with a faculty advisor
- Capstone: includes exploring a topic and completing a project in a classroom community
Admissions
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.
First, you’ll register for and complete 3 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies and count toward your degree, helping ensure success in the program.
Next Start Term: Spring 2025
Enroll for your first admission course this spring. Course registration is open November 4, 2024–January 23, 2025.
To get started, explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.
Earning a Stackable Certificate
As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate certificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn a professional credential along the way to your degree.
For each certificate, you can choose courses that best fit your goals.
Stackable graduate certificates include:
A Faculty of International Relations Experts
Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors are renowned academics in international affairs, international security, conflict negotiation, and more. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Alt: They bring a genuine passion for teaching, evidenced by the consistently positive and productive classroom experience students’ report.
Our Community at a Glance
Most of our international relations students are enrolled in our master’s degree program to either advance their careers or make a career change. They are putting their global understanding and policy training to work in a variety of public service, corporate, and nonprofit industries.
Download: International Relations Master's Degree Fact Sheet
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38
Average Age
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1–2
Courses Taken Each Semester
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79%
Work Full Time
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98%
Would Recommend the Program
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49%
Professional Experience in the Field
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Most
Pursued for Career Advancement
Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes
Graduates of our International Relations Master’s Program work in the fields of international affairs, environmental services, public relations, financial services, management consulting, government administration, law, and more.
Some alumni continue their educational journeys and pursue further studies in other nationally ranked degree programs, including those at Boston College, Georgetown University, Northeastern University, and Pace University.
Our alumni hold such titles as:
- Foreign Affairs Officer
- Government Administration Consultant
- Defense and National Security Research Manager
- Energy Policy Analyst
- Assistant Attorney General
- Director of Policy and Research
- Sustainable Development Consultant
- Chief of Congressional and Media Affairs
- Watch Officer, White House Situation Room
Our alumni work at a variety of leading organizations, including:
- American Red Cross
- Apple
- Boeing
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- UNICEF
- United States Department of Defense
- United Nations
- Wells Fargo
Career Advising and Mentorship
Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs.
Your Harvard University Degree
Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will earn the Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: International Relations.
Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network
As a graduate, you’ll become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
My time at HES was an opportunity to prove to myself that I was capable of academic excellence, of having the discipline to put in the time and intellectual resources to achieve the top grades that had previously eluded me.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Course Tuition (2024–25 rate) | $3,340 per course |
|---|---|
| Average Course Tuition of Peer Institutions | $4,330 per course |
| Average Total Program Cost | $40,080 |
After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
Coffee Chat: All About Liberal Arts Programs at HES
Are you interested in learning more about liberal arts graduate degree programs at Harvard Extension School? Attendees joined us for an informational webinar where they had the opportunity to connect with program directors, academic advisors, and alumni.
FAQs
What can you do with a master’s degree in international relations?
A master’s degree in international relations provides an incredible foundation for careers in diplomacy, government, and non-profit organizations. You can work as a foreign service officer, policy analyst, intelligence analyst, or public affairs consultant. In our globalized society, having a strong understanding of issues around the world will help you succeed in both your professional and personal life.
Is a master’s degree in international relations useful?
With 99% of recent graduates recommending our International Relations Master’s Degree Program, we believe the degree is extremely useful. The curriculum provides a range of courses that allow you to graduate with knowledge and skills that are transferable to a wide range of industries and careers.
How long does it take to complete the international relations graduate program?
Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.
For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.
While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.
What skills do you need prior to applying for the international relations graduate program?
Harvard Extension School does not require any specific skills prior to applying, but in general, it’s helpful to have solid reading, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills if you are considering an international relations master’s degree. Initial eligibility requirements can be found on our international relations degree requirements page.
