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American University International Relations Programs | Online
American University’s School of International Service (SIS) offers a Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) degree and a Master of International Service (MIS) executive degree for experienced professionals. SIS graduate degrees equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a difference in our complex and interconnected world, whether in government, nonprofits, or business.
Why Choose American University’s School of International Service for an Online Master’s Degree?
American University’s School of International Service (SIS) is a top-10 ranked School of International Relations by Foreign Policy Magazine.1
Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., SIS is a full member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA).
Now, more than ever, our world demands professionals who are motivated to effect positive international change. With a degree from American University’s School of International Service (SIS), you will build the skills to meet that demand. Equip yourself to wage peace through international relations, policy development, and socially responsible business—explore our online degree programs today.
Are Scholarships Available?
American University’s School of International Service offers a variety of scholarships for qualified applicants enrolled in our MAIR and MIS programs.
We encourage applicants to view our Admissions page for more information on available scholarships, including eligibility and requirements. View current scholarship opportunities.
“The Federal Service Scholarship not only reduced the financial burden, my one remaining hesitation, but it also made me feel confident in my decision that AU was where I wanted to be… the offering of this scholarship at this time made me feel as if AU really valued my experience too.”
Mia Richardson, MAIR student enrolled in May ’25
“Many of our faculty are experienced practitioners in the field, bringing invaluable practical perspectives and considerations into the classroom. What brings us together as scholars, teachers, and practitioners is the strong belief in service to the global community.”
Dr. Claudia Hofmann, Executive Director of Online and Executive Programs
Online Degree Programs
In an increasingly interconnected world, American University’s International Relations Online programs allow you the opportunity to earn your master’s degree from anywhere. With our online master’s degree programs, you can build the specialized expertise, policy knowledge, and communications skill set to start creating a meaningful difference in your community and beyond.
As a student, you will enhance your expertise in international relations and foreign affairs and have opportunities to build a rich network of political and international connections without sacrificing your responsibilities at home. GRE scores are not required to apply.
Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)
What Is the MAIR Program and Who Should Apply?
The Online MAIR is a graduate degree focused on international affairs theory, foreign policy analysis, and cross-cultural communication. It’s designed for professionals who are earlier in their international relations career and want to build a rigorous academic foundation before moving into roles in government, diplomacy, nonprofits, or global business.
- 36 credit hours
- 3 concentrations available: Sustainable Development, Global Health, and Human Rights, International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and Security and Foreign Policy
- No GRE scores required
Complete in 24 Months
Master of International Service (MIS) for
Experienced Professionals
What Is the MIS Program and Who Should Apply?
The Master of International Service is an executive-track graduate degree designed for professionals with seven or more years of experience in international affairs. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including international affairs, government, the military, nonprofits, and global business. Rather than building foundational knowledge, students will learn alongside classmates with similar levels of experience through an accelerated curriculum — furthering their skills in their specific area of expertise and advancinge their leadership potential.
- 30 credit hours
- Advanced standing available to waive up to 6 credit hours for applicants with extensive international professional experience working in a foreign country
- 3 concentrations available: Sustainable Development, Global Health, and Human Rights, International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, and Security and Foreign Policy
- No GRE scores required
Complete in 12 Months
Full-time and with advanced standing status
Concentrations
Both the MAIR and MIS programs allow students to choose one of three concentrations, enabling you to build specialized expertise in the area of international affairs most relevant to your career goals.
“Being at American University allowed me the flexibility to balance my career with my education, but it also gave me the opportunity to qualify and obtain a more senior-level position to really effect change within the U.S. Air Force.”
Kiara Colon-Torres, MAIR ‘19
Immersion and Capstone Requirements
Immersion
To complete each of our degrees, you will be required to visit the American University campus in Washington, D.C., for a weekend-long immersion. The immersion includes networking with peers, faculty, and professionals in your industry; participating in skills institutes; and visiting government, foreign affairs, and development organizations.
Capstone Project
Each program concludes with a capstone that will require you to apply skills and knowledge gained throughout your courses. You may choose to either complete a Substantial Research Paper (SRP) or participate in a client-based team practicum project.
Are You Pursuing a PhD?
If you plan to pursue a PhD after earning your online master’s from SIS, we recommend completing the SRP capstone. The research provides a great segue to continue your international studies beyond graduation.
How Do I Apply for the Online Master’s Programs?
SIS students are ambitious professionals who are motivated to make a difference through global policy, foreign services, and international affairs. If you’re looking for assistance with putting together your best application, it can be helpful to reach out to an enrollment specialist at 1-855-306-2847 or admissions@IRonline.american.edu, or attend a virtual event:
- Ask a Student Session: Meet current students and members of the enrollment team and review our curriculum.
What Are the Admissions Requirements for AU’s MAIR and MIS Programs?
Application requirements for both programs include:
- Completed online application form
- Current résumé/CV
- Statement of purpose
- Official transcripts from all academic institutions from which you earned credit
- Two letters of recommendation
- $55 application fee — waived for current applicants
- No GRE scores required
For more information, visit our application requirements page.
Take the Next Step
Request information today to find how the School of International Service can help you meet your career goals.
Does AU SIS Have Benefits for Military and Veteran Students?
Active-duty military members and veterans make up more than 30 percent of the International Relations Online student body—and SIS is committed to providing the convenience and flexibility to allow these students to earn their international relations master’s degree no matter where they’re stationed. Our program is a great fit for military service members and veterans for its:
- Skill-building that applies in real time, including leadership, cultural competence, adaptability, and global perspective
- Networking with like-minded service members and veterans for careers within and beyond the military
- Financial aid benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon Program
A Flexible Online Format
Our online programs are designed with a curriculum that fits seamlessly into a busy schedule. Our flexible learning format includes:
Live, face-to-face video classes
Our videoconferencing technology allows you to see, interact, and debate with your peers and professors throughout class. Class sizes are kept to an approximate 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio to promote close collaboration.
Immersive coursework
Our coursework is intended to expand on in-class lessons with videos, quizzes, and Q&A sessions. Coursework can be completed weekly on your own time.
Interactive case studies
Our case studies allow you to translate concepts and skills learned in class to real-life situations. You will collaborate with peers to work through these projects together.
Where Can an IR Degree Take You?
At SIS, we offer two different master’s degrees online so you can advance your career starting at your current skill level—and move up in your desired sector. Alumni from American University have pursued careers such as Foreign Service Officer, Policy Analyst, International Development Consultant. Top employers include the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, U.S. Department of Defense, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the U.S. Department of State.
Explore Careers in International Relations
With a foundation in international affairs and expertise in a specialized subsector, you will graduate equipped to enter or move up in your field. In each sector, your duties can include:
Private sector
Developing data-driven recommendations to support government officials and policymakers; providing consulting services on government relations, regulatory strategies, and corporate citizenship; and overseeing development projects in different countries
Public sector
Driving U.S. foreign policy; developing and managing assistance programs that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in different countries; and operating and assessing economic sanctions programs
Nonprofits
Supporting democratic development programs, backstopping field teams, providing policy research support, and analyzing project performance in other countries
Connect With the SIS Alumni Network
Upon graduation, you’ll join 25,000+ alumni serving their communities around the globe. Whether you’re an aspiring foreign aid officer or public policy analyst, you can regularly tap into this powerful network of international professionals to connect and learn.
Leverage SIS Career Services
At SIS, we want to help you achieve your career aspirations. To that end, we offer a variety of services, including career advisors, virtual and on-campus employer information sessions, and AU Handshake, a password-protected database of international affairs job and internship opportunities specifically for SIS students.
Who Teaches the Online MAIR and MIS Courses?
Our faculty are active members in the international affairs and service communities.
Stephanie Fischer
Lead Faculty, Practicum in International Relations
Stephanie Fischer is an executive in residence at SIS. In the past, she has directed the Advisory Board Foundation’s child protection project in the Philippines, and she has led Cummins Inc.’s corporate social responsibility efforts in Mexico.
Tazreena Sajjad
Senior Professorial Lecturer, Global Governance
Tazreena Sajjad’s areas of expertise include transitional justice, refugees, forced displacement, post-conflict governance, gender and conflict, and social movements in South Asia. Prior to joining SIS, Dr. Sajjad worked in the Afghanistan program at Global Rights in Afghanistan and in the South Asia program at the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Gordon Adams
Lead Faculty, U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security
Gordon Adams is a widely respected expert and author on defense and national security policy, the defense policy process, and national security budgets. He is consulted extensively by the nation’s media for comment on U.S. national security policy.
What Does AU’s Washington, D.C. Connection Mean for Your Career?
Washington, D.C. is the center of U.S. foreign policy, international diplomacy, and global development, and attending a school rooted there means more than a prestigious address. As an SIS student, you gain direct access to the practitioners, organizations, and networks that define the international affairs field.
Many SIS faculty are active policy advisors, former diplomats, and international development professionals who bring current, real-world perspective into every course. Through your required D.C. immersion, you’ll visit government agencies and international organizations, network with working professionals, and build relationships with peers who share your career ambitions.
Studying on Campus
If you live close to American University’s campus but are earning your degree as an online student, you have the option to take up to a quarter of your courses in person. If the full-time on-campus program works better for your schedule, you can explore those degree options here:
Take the Next Step
Request information today to find how the School of International Service can help you meet your career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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All coursework is offered online, providing the flexibility to study from anywhere. The flexible learning format is delivered through a combination of live video classes — allowing interaction with peers and professors; immersive coursework completed on your own time; and interactive casework studies done in collaboration with peers. Students enrolled in the MIS degree must attend one weekend-long, in-person immersion experience at the American University campus in Washington, D.C. While not required, MAIR students are strongly encouraged to pursue hands-on learning experiences and build meaningful professional connections along the way.
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Applicants must submit a completed online application, current résumé/CV, statement of purpose (essay), official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. The application fee is waived for current applicants and no GRE is required. The MIS program specifically requires a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience.
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While much of the application process remains the same for international and domestic students, there are some additional requirements for international students. You will need to provide an English language proficiency score, along with a formal evaluation and translation of your academic transcripts. See the admissions requirements for more information.
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American University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Additionally, SIS is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA).
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A master’s degree from American University’s School of International Service (SIS) prepares students with the specialized expertise and leadership skills necessary to influence decisions across borders and cultures. It is a strategic investment for both “aspiring global professionals” (MAIR) and “experienced practitioners” (MIS) looking to advance their careers. You’ll join a worldwide network of over 25,000 alumni, and take advantage of the SIS Office of Career Development to help you prepare for life after graduation.
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SIS is a top-10 ranked School of International Relations by Foreign Policy Magazine.* It’s located in Washington, D.C., and offers a unique blend of scholarly theory and practitioner-led instruction, providing students with direct access to a global network of over 25,000 alumni.
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Yes. All qualified applicants are eligible for tuition scholarships of up to $20,000. There are additional scholarships offered by SIS for the MAIR and MIS programs – please check our admissions page or ask your enrollment specialist for more information. Students may receive only one scholarship.
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American University is proud to support a full range of military education benefits such as:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill®
- Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB)
- Tuition Assistance (TA)
- Yellow Ribbon Program
The university has a dedicated Veterans Services Office to assist military-connected students.
American University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. American University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.
- The Top International Relations Schools of 2024, Ranked. (2024). Foreign Policy Magazine. Retrieved December 2024. ↩︎