Global Studies, MS
Overview
for the degree of Master of Science in Global Studies
The Center for Global Studies (CGS), Program in Arms Control & Domestic and International Security (ACDIS), and the Women & Gender in Global Perspectives (WGGP) Program offer a Master of Science (MS) in Global Studies. To be admitted to this degree program, students apply through a joint application process through the Program in Global Studies and the Center which houses their chosen area of focus: 1) Global Security (ACDIS); 2) Gender and Public Policy (WGGP); and 3) Global Governance (CGS). Admission requirements follow in the next section. More detailed information may be obtained from the ACDIS, CGS, and WGGP offices.
Admission
Applicants for admission to the MS in Global Studies program should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Each Global Studies student will be required to demonstrate knowledge of a second language through at least the level of a third year of instruction, with non-native English speakers exempt from this requirement. For students not admitted with this level of second language knowledge, this requirement can be completed through an elective language course and/or reading and writing activities in association with meeting the professional development or professional skills requirement. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and written), or other post-secondary examinations such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), are recommended but not required. International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with minimum scores set by the Graduate College. All admission requirements of the Graduate College also apply.
Applicants must submit the Graduate College application for admission, certified transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, a writing sample, and three letters of reference. Applicants must also submit to the Program in Global Studies a statement of purpose showing how the MS in Global Studies degree fits into their educational and career plans. This statement must show that the interdisciplinary nature of the MS in Global Studies, and their chosen track, will serve the student better than a disciplinary degree. Student applications will be assessed by the program administering their track through the joint-application process. Admission is ordinarily limited to the fall semester, but exceptions are made for spring and summer admission.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Master of Science in Global Studies
The MS in Global Studies is designed to be completed in three semesters and offers flexibility through multiple paths to the degree in consultation with the advisor. For specific questions and details, please visit the program website: Masters in Global Studies
For the most up to date course availability, please visit the curriculum page of the program website: Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 12 | |
| Global Society | ||
| Methodologies of Global Studies | ||
| Choose one of the following (each student will declare a track upon admission to the program): | ||
| Institutions of Global Governance (Required for Global Leadership and Governance Track) | ||
| Energy and Global Security (Required for Global Security and Threat Reduction Track) | ||
| Gender Relations & International Development (Required for Gender, Policy, and Global Development Track) | ||
| Data Visualization (Required for Global Data Analytics and Policy Track) | ||
| Professional Development Courses | 4 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Global Studies Practicum | ||
| Global Studies Project | ||
| (The advisor may approve a professional development course that includes a written paper on a study as an alternative to a project or practicum.) | ||
| Track Elective Courses (Advisor approval is required for all electives) | 16 | |
| (Additional 4 credit hours total of GLBL 572 and GLBL 573 may be applied as a Track Elective.) | ||
| Global Leadership and Governance | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Environment and Development | ||
| Agriculture in Intl Dev | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Development of African Studies | ||
| Case Studies Global Heritage | ||
| Heritage Management | ||
| Class, Culture and Society | ||
| Anthropology and Law | ||
| Cultural Heritage | ||
| Climate Dynamics | ||
| Gender Relations & International Development | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Development Economics | ||
| Economics of Poverty Alleviation in Developing Countries | ||
| Econ of Development and Growth | ||
| Racial and Ethnic Families | ||
| Foundations of Sustainability Education | ||
| Introduction to Diversity & Equity | ||
| Education and Globalization | ||
| Globalization of Higher Education | ||
| Global Issues in Learning | ||
| Global Youth and Citizenship | ||
| Education and Power in Middle East | ||
| Researching Global Education | ||
| Green Development | ||
| Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Climate & Social Vulnerability | ||
| Global Health: Interventions & Evaluations | ||
| Poverty Interventions and Evaluation | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Perspectives on Global Studies | ||
| Decolonization in Africa | ||
| 20thC Africa Intellectual Hist | ||
| Revivalism and Evangelicalism | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| International Health | ||
| Global Biosecurity | ||
| Env and Sustainable Dev | ||
| Proseminar Intl Rel I | ||
| Intl Political Economy | ||
| International Cooperation | ||
| Cultural Aspects of Tourism | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Social Movements | ||
| Intl SW & Development | ||
| Leadership and Social Change | ||
| Inequalities In A Diverse Society | ||
| Community Development in the Global South | ||
| Global Security and Threat Reduction | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Problems in African History | ||
| Contemporary Central America | ||
| Anthropology of Policing | ||
| Modern Europe | ||
| Climate Change Assessment | ||
| Climate Dynamics | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Green Development | ||
| Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Climate & Social Vulnerability | ||
| War, Soc, Politics, & Culture | ||
| History of Brazil from 1808 | ||
| Soc-Econ Hist Modern China | ||
| Prob in Latin American Hist | ||
| Problems in Russian History | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| International Health | ||
| Evolution of Infectious Disease | ||
| Global Biosecurity | ||
| Energy and Security | ||
| Writing on Technol & Security | ||
| Seminar on Security | ||
| GIS in Natural Resource Mgmt | ||
| Europe and the Mediterranean | ||
| Proseminar Comp Politics I | ||
| Comparative Political Behavior | ||
| Topics in Comparative Politics | ||
| Proseminar Intl Rel I | ||
| Topics in Intl Rel | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Social Movements | ||
| Gender, Policy, and Global Development | ||
| Environment and Development | ||
| Agriculture in Intl Dev | ||
| Development of African Studies | ||
| Gender & Race in Contemp Arch | ||
| Development Economics | ||
| Economics of Poverty Alleviation in Developing Countries | ||
| Green Development | ||
| Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Climate & Social Vulnerability | ||
| Feminist Theories & Methods | ||
| Topics in GWS | ||
| International HR Management | ||
| Env and Sustainable Dev | ||
| Women in Muslim Societies | ||
| Social Work with Women | ||
| Community Development in the Global South | ||
| Global Data Analytics and Policy | ||
| Environment and Development | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Impact Evaluation | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Development Economics | ||
| Transportation &Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Policy | ||
| History of the Global Information Society | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Perspectives on Global Studies | ||
| GIS in Natural Resource Mgmt | ||
| International Cooperation | ||
| Total Hours | 32 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Other Requirements and Conditions (may overlap): | ||
| A minimum of 20 credit hours must be taken from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. | ||
| A minimum of 12 500-level credit hours. | ||
| No courses used to fulfill any degree requirement may be taken using the “Credit/No Credit” option. | ||
| The minimum program GPA is 3.0. | ||
| Each Global Studies student will be required to demonstrate knowledge of a second language through at least the level of a third year of instruction, with non-native English speakers exempt from this requirement. For students not admitted with this level of second language knowledge, this requirement can be completed through an elective language course and/or reading and writing activities in association with meeting the professional development or professional skills requirement. Language courses will not count toward the degree. | ||
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Master of Science in Global Studies
The Master of Science in Global Studies provides knowledge and technical skills of practical use in private and public sectors dealing with challenges with international or global dimensions. The degree can also provide background for further graduate study in a related field. It is designed to equip graduates to:
- Draw on the literature to develop an understanding of globalization and the framework of Global Studies;
- Think critically about how globalization impacts global order, welfare and legitimacy;
- Become familiar with the historical, ethical and philosophical questions underlying research in the field of Global Studies;
- Gain practical experience of collecting, analyzing and evaluating data on a key global challenge of the 21st century;
- Observe the analysis of and solutions to research problems that may arise when conducting research that is global in scale and scope;
- Gain practical experience based on the understanding and application of theoretical knowledge in the field of Global Studies;
- Translate the skills and knowledge students have gained in the classroom into professional experience exploring Global Studies phenomena or problems; and
- Observe the analysis of and solutions to problems arising in professional work settings.
Contact Information
for the degree of Master of Science in Global Studies
For inquiries, please contact the Academic Program Coordinator - Andy Guth: andyguth@illinois.edu
- Masters in Global Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: Overview of College Admissions & Requirements
- Graduate College Admissions & Requirements
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website