All candidates for the Master of Arts degree in International Relations are required to write a Masters paper and defend that paper before a panel of three professors. This paper may take one of two forms.
Students can choose to write a traditional research paper or a policy paper.
Students who elect to write a research paper can approach a topic from a number of different perspectives. For instance, students can chose to research a current topic or an historical issue in the area of international relations. Students, in consultation with their advisors, have broad latitude in selecting topics and approaches. The policy paper addresses a current issue and makes recommendations for a course of action to introduce new ideas or change an existing policy. The purpose of a policy paper is to raise an issue that requires a decision-maker to consider whether a current policy should be continued or a change in policy is needed.