MIS Curriculum

The Executive Master of International Service (MIS) program requires 30 credit hours to complete and is designed to build specialized expertise and leadership skills for professionals with seven or more years of professional experience. Depending on their professional international background, students may be eligible to apply for advanced standing to reduce the number of required credits to 27 or 24.

Core Courses

Methods and Analysis Course

Students may select from one of the following courses:

Concentrations/Elective Courses

All International Relations Online students may elect to hone their expertise in one of the areas below or customize their learning experience by completing up to 15 credits across the following areas:

Global Security

United States Foreign Policy and National Security

International Development

International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Social Enterprise

Optional Skills Institutes (1 credit each) 

Skills institutes are 1-credit courses offered in a face-to-face online format or as part of the required in-person immersion held on American University’s campus. These course offerings are updated often to reflect current topics in the field, and they are subject to change each term. Skills institutes enable students to customize their curriculum and stay current in the field.