Master of Arts in Political Science and International Relations
The Political Science and International Relations master's program is designed for students who want to gain in-depth knowledge of international politics, international relations, security, strategy, global governance and similar topics. This program aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to conduct policy analysis, understand political decision-making processes and understand the behavior of actors in international politics.
The program is open to students who have undergraduate degrees in different disciplines such as politics, history, economics, law and sociology from universities around the world. The aim of the program is to provide students with a comprehensive education and to provide them with an understanding of the interaction of different cultures, ways of thinking and social dynamics.
The program aims to develop students in analytical thinking, research and reporting skills by providing them with theoretical and practical tools. Students will learn the following topics throughout the program:
International relations theories
Security and strategy in international politics
International economy and globalization
International law and human rights
International organizations and global governance
The program offers students a qualified education at the graduate level and offers them the potential to make a difference in their future academic or professional careers. Graduates of the program can work as researchers, policy analysts, diplomats or strategists in academic institutions or civil society organizations.
The MA in Political Science and International Relations program allows students to gain in-depth knowledge of global politics and international relations, while also helping them develop critical thinking, analytical thinking, research and reporting skills.
Upon completion of the MA in Political Science and International Relations program, the student earns a "Master of Arts" (MA) degree.
This degree is an academic master's degree and provides students with in-depth training and research experience in political science and international relations. The MA degree is a frequently sought-after degree for those who want to pursue a career in political science and international relations.
Master of Arts can be translated into Turkish as "Master of Arts (Social Sciences)". This term refers to postgraduate education in the social sciences, humanities, and sometimes fine arts. A Master of Arts (Social Sciences) degree is a program that usually lasts two years and provides in-depth knowledge and research skills in a specific field.
The MA in Political Science and International Relations program provides students with a comprehensive education in topics such as policy making, analysis of political systems, and the study of international relations. This program usually takes two years to complete and is offered by many universities.
The objectives of this program are as follows:
To provide students with information about political theories, concepts, and methods.
To help students understand the functioning of political systems, the role of political parties, the importance of elections, and other political processes.
To provide students with an understanding of international policy making, international law, and human rights through the study of international relations.
To train students in research methods and data analysis, and to provide them with thesis writing skills.
The program curriculum provides students with a broad understanding by bringing together topics from different disciplines (e.g., history, sociology, economics, and law). Courses include topics such as political theory, political systems, political parties, elections, public policy, statecraft, international security, international law, human rights, and globalization.
Students also receive training in research methods and data analysis to prepare their thesis projects. Students who complete the program can work in the public sector, private sector or non-governmental organizations. They may also be sufficiently equipped to continue on to doctoral programs.
Theoretical Knowledge: Students will learn the basic theoretical concepts of political science and international relations and develop their application skills.
Analytical Skills: Students will develop the analytical skills necessary to analyze political and international issues and apply these skills in practice.
Research Skills: Students will learn the methods, techniques and tools necessary to conduct research and use these skills in their own research.
Ethical Values: Students will understand ethical values and learn the skills necessary to apply these values.
Multiculturalism: Students will gain experience working with people from different cultures and develop the skills necessary to understand cultural differences.
Communication Skills: Students will develop effective communication skills and use these skills to discuss political and international issues.
Leadership: Students will develop leadership skills and use their leadership skills to solve political and international problems.
Regional Expertise: Students will develop regional expert skills necessary to understand political and international issues in a particular region.
These program outcomes are designed to enable students of the Political Science and International Relations MA program to be successful in their professional careers.
The Political Science and International Relations master's program usually offers job opportunities in various positions in the public, private sector or non-governmental organizations. Students who complete this program may have work opportunities in the following areas:
Public sector: Students who complete the Political Science and International Relations master's program can find work in various positions in governments and the public sector. These positions cover topics such as foreign relations, diplomatic relations, public policy, defense policy and international agreements. (According to the laws and regulations of the relevant country)
Private sector: There are also job opportunities for students who complete the Political Science and International Relations master's program in the private sector. These positions cover areas such as global businesses, international financial institutions, consulting firms, media companies and the energy sector.
Non-governmental organizations: Non-governmental organizations that operate in areas such as international humanitarian aid, human rights advocacy, environmental protection and peace studies also offer job opportunities for graduates of the Political Science and International Relations master's program.
Students who complete this program usually have strong research, analysis, writing and communication skills. These skills are sought-after qualities by employers and provide graduates of the Political Science and International Relations master's program with a variety of job opportunities.
The student's success in the courses is determined by evaluating the mid-term grades and the final exam grade together.
Mid-term grades consist of quizzes, mid-term exam grades and grades given to homework, applications and practical work depending on the course. In the credit system, the type and weight of mid-term and final evaluations (exams, homework, applications and similar) are reported to the relevant department head by the instructor teaching the course within the first two weeks of the semester and announced to the students by the relevant teaching unit administration. The final evaluation is determined by the instructor teaching the course with one of the following letter grades, taking into account the general success level of all students taking that course.
While the impact of the homework given during the semester on the final grade is 40%, the impact of the final exams at the end of the semester is 60%.
Graduation Requirements are as follows:
- Successfully completing all courses in the program,
- Having no FF grade,
- Achieving a minimum grade of CB or higher for each course,
- Completing 120 ECTS credits, with 60 credits from coursework and 60 credits from the thesis,
- Submitting a thesis of at least 15,000 words in accordance with the "Thesis Writing Guide" provided by the Graduate Education Institute, and defending it if deemed necessary,
- Presenting a thesis with a plagiarism rate below the accepted maximum of 30%,
- Submitting the thesis approved in Turkish in English.