• Introduction
• Recognition
• Curriculum
• Course Delivery Format
• Admission
• Graduation Requirement

Introduction

Zayed University educates and trains future generation of diplomats from the United Arab Emirates, as well as professionals from around the world, for successful careers in diplomacy and international affairs.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Diplomacy and International Affairs program seeks to educate a new generation of world diplomats. The interdisciplinary program, focused on the United Arab Emirates and Gulf region, prepares professionals ready to contribute with innovative ideas to the challenges and opportunities that the public and private sectors face in the 21^st century. More specific, the program prepares professionals capable of:

• Representing the interests of the United Arab Emirates to other states and to multilateral institutions,

• Demonstrating strong knowledge of the contemporary history of the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf region, and the Middle East,

• Showing a professional knowledge of the major canons in International Law, their applications, and practical limitations,

• Articulating the economic challenges present in a global economy,

• Submitting sound analyses and critical perspectives on global security challenges, and

• Conducting research in the field of diplomacy, and presenting policy options to their governments.

Recognition

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Diplomacy and International Affairs program is approved by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. As Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the program is internationally recognized for further education and employment in private and public sector organizations.

Curriculum

At the beginning of the program, students take an intensive one-day orientation. The orientation offers a number of workshops to introduce students to the program, during which students are introduced to Blackboard (virtual classroom software), case study and analysis, library resources, and the writing of reports and reference citations.

The interdisciplinary nature of the Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs program guarantees the preparation of versatile professionals knowledgeable about local and international contemporary history, the characteristics and major elements of an interconnected global economy, the law of the nations, and modern theories in international politics.

The intensive academic training is combined with workshops designed to equip diplomats with the written and oral language skills as well as the analytical tools that allow them to communicate effectively with their own governments, the general public, and the press, as well as the leadership training to transform participants into effective and successful diplomats.

In order to earn a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs degree, students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of study.  Eighteen (18) credit hours must be taken from core courses, six (6) credit hours from Area Studies, and six (6) credit hours from elective courses or approved independent study courses. 

Core Courses

• HSS 623 International Relations
• HSS 633 Diplomatic History: The Shaping of Contemporary International Affairs
• HSS 643 International Political Economy
• HSS 653 Public Diplomacy
• HSS 663 The United Arab Emirates: Political and Administrative Structure
• HSS 673 International Relations of the U.A.E.

Elective Courses

• The Gulf States*
• HSS 693 Security Studies
• International Negotiation*
• Crisis Management*
• Development and Underdevelopment*
• Migration and International Affairs*
• International Criminal Jurisdiction*
• Human Rights*
• HSS 683 Politics of Oil

Area Studies

• Europe and the European Union*
• African Politics*
• Latin American Politics*
• People's Republic of China in the 21^st Century*
• Politics of East Asia*
• Southwest Asia*
• The Russian Federation and its Neighbors*
• HSS 613A Area Studies: The Middle East
• HSS 613B Area Studies: Africa

Independent Studies

• HSS 699 Independent Study

*Courses pending final approval

Course Delivery Format

The format for delivering the Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs program is designed to minimize time away from work and family while maximizing interaction with fellow students and faculty.

The in-classroom instruction for each course is conducted during three evenings on weekdays. Blackboard customized courseware, with e-mail and course management features, is used to deliver the offsite computer-based portion of the curriculum. Portions of some courses involve videoconferencing. Students and faculty interact frequently to exchange e-mail, transfer files, submit papers, and access course materials in the form of PowerPoint slides during courses.

The Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs program is delivered over a period of 24 months at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi and/or Dubai.

For more information on the admission deadline, please visit the Key Dates section on our website.

Admission

• Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities.
• Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to manage a challenging, fast-paced program.
• 

For more information on admission requirements, the application procedure and program cost, please visit the Admissions and Fees section of our website.

Graduation Requirement

Graduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in course work taken in fulfillment of the requirements of a graduate degree.