Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA)

The M.A. in International Affairs is designed to provide an advanced understanding of the international system along with a focus on the multiple facets of global security issues such as terrorism, strategic security policy, the examination of economic elements of security and the theories which define the field of international affairs.

Degree provides students the research and analytical skills which will allow them to advance in their profession or begin to explore a career in international affairs.

• Program instruction is delivered on-line through Vista.
• 30-semester hour program.
• Program is open to initial enrollment for any semester. 
  Students should consult the advisement guide for the most appropriate courses.
• Tuition is $300.00 per semester hour with limited fees, in state or out of state.
• Courses are offered on a 2-year rotation.

Graduate Admissions Procedures

• Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions or from the North Georgia website, www.northgeorgia.edu/Graduate/.
• Applicants pay a 1-time, non-refundable application fee.
• When all application materials required to make an admission decision have been received by the Office of Graduate Admissions, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of materials will be forwarded to the program.
• The International Affairs program will verify acceptance or denial of all applicants.
• Applicants who are admitted but do not enroll within 1 year of acceptance must reapply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last 3 semesters must reapply.
• Documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements become the property of the university and will not be returned.
• Application materials are kept for 1 year for incomplete files and for 3 years for individuals who complete an application and are accepted, but do not enroll.

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General Admissions Requirements for Masters in International Affairs

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If you received your undergraduate degree from North Georgia, you are not required to request transcripts.
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), if the GRE is to be used as a basis for admission. Only GRE scores less than 6 years old will be considered.
5. 2 North Georgia recommendation forms.
6. 600-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MAIA degree and any background in the field of International Affairs.
7. North Georgia Immunization Certificate (check the exemption for distance learning, sign, date, and submit to the Office of Graduate Admissions).
8. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.  

• International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received the equivalent of at least a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution and state a calculated overall GPA.
• Meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
• Final admission is a competitive process that takes all aspects of a candidate's record into account.

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Regular Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures.

OR

1. Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution and at least 950 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or 301 on the GRE (v&q combined) taken on or after August 1, 2011.
2. Meet all other program admission requirements.

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Provisional Admission

Applicants who do not meet the entrance criteria for Regular Admission to the MAIA program may apply for provisional admission. The following documents must be received prior to consideration for provisional admission:

1. Graduate Admissions Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If you received your undergraduate degree from North Georgia, you are not required to request transcripts.
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), if the GRE is to be used as a basis for admission. Only GRE scores less than 6 years old will be considered.
5. Letter stating the student is applying for provisional admission and outlining the reasons why the program should admit the student provisionally and the steps the student will take to ensure success in the program.
6. 600-word personal statement describing the specific interest in the MAIA degree and any background in the field of International Affairs.
7. Meet all other admission requirements.

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Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate courses in International Affairs, but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student.

Applicants must receive pre-approval from the International Affairs program coordinator before enrolling in courses and may register for no more than a total of 6 hours of graduate credit.

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Application Checklist for Non-Degree Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures.  Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If you received your undergraduate degree from North Georgia, you are not required to request transcripts. International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
4. 2 North Georgia recommendation forms.
5. 600-word personal statement describing the specific interested in obtaining the MAIA degree and any background in the field of international affairs.
6. Meet all other admission requirements.

• Non-degree students wishing to apply for admission to the International Affairs program as degree-seeking must submit a new application and meet all program admission requirements.
• Elective credits to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the International Affairs program coordinator.
• Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue in the International Affairs program.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may not reapply for admission.
• Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

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Transient Student Admission

This program does not permit transient student enrollment.

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Notice Regarding Online Offerings

Recently enacted federal regulations requiring enforcement of state laws regarding the delivery of distance education degrees, programs and courses to students whose physical presence is in a state other than Georgia may limit North Georgia’s ability to offer online opportunities to these students.  If you wish to enroll in one of our online offerings and are located in a state other than Georgia, please inquire before applying to determine if we have acquired permission to offer online courses in your state.  You may email your inquiry to onlineapproval@northgeorgia.edu. This email address is exclusively for questions regarding state approval of online offerings.  Other inquiries should be directed to the academic department offering the online program or to the Office of Graduate Admissions, grads@northgeorgia.edu.

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Appeal of Graduate Admission

• A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision.
• Appeals must be made in written form to:
  Masters in International Affairs
  Department of Political Science
  Hansford Hall, 82 College Circle
  North Georgia College & State University
  Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001.
• Letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal.
• Applicants whose appeals are accepted will be admitted as provisional students and must complete 1 semester with grades no less than "B" to be considered for regular admission status.
• Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking classes under a provisional admission status.

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