Ranking International Relation Programs

<p>I just went through a (stressful!) decision-making process over grad offers from the LSE (Comparative Politics: Politics and Markets) and SAIS (Bologna). I decided on Friday that I would attend the LSE and sent my rejection notification to SAIS. </p>

<p>Now, of course, I am having second thoughts. Originally, I was leaning towards the LSE because I wanted to have "fun" in grad school studying something completely theoretical. However the "practical" advantages in terms of alumni networks, internship opportunties, and assistance with job placement (as well as an interesting curriculum) at SAIS now seem too good to have passed up. I am not exactly sure what I want to do as a career, but I am quite sure it will involve business/govt. I am interested in internship possibilities with a few of the ABCs, but now I am starting to worry that these opportunities will be much less open to me now than they would have been had I gone to SAIS. </p>

<p>I do plan on reapplying to SAIS to do a joint-MBA program in a couple years, so that is probably the main reason why I chose not to attend now (I will be graduating from the University of Chicago with a BA in Econ this June), as well as the need to build up work experience (LSE is only 1 year, so that was attractive) in the private sector. </p>

<p>Does anyone know much about job opportunities for LSE grads, and how difficult it would be securing internship positions with some of the ABCs upon returning from London?</p>

<p>School of Advance International Studies (SAIS) located in Washington D.C. and was ranked the best terminal masters program for international relations in public policy.</p>

<p>I have many friends here who are striving to pursue BA/MA program at Hopkins. Pretty much, if you have the grades to get into SAIS, you will come out getting pretty much whatever job you want.</p>

<p>The New Carey Business School of Johns Hopkins recently opened up offering joint MBA degrees. Check it out.</p>

<p>Phead128,</p>

<p>I wouldn't say you can get ANY job, but opportunities out of SAIS are certainly pretty good.</p>

<p>Great threads, guys. I've read through much of it and am grateful for all the posters who have contributed their knowledge thus far.</p>

<p>I've got a pretty simple question (though maybe it's not as simple as it seems):</p>

<p>Is the Global Studies B.A. at UCLA a fitting substitute for an undergraduate IR program?</p>

<p>I'd like to go to UCLA for cost reasons (can't afford a private university), and Global Studies seems to be the closest thing to IR offered. Econ/Intl Area Studies is close, but I don't really want to pursue Econ, and that's mainly an Econ degree.</p>

<p>Also, if it helps at all, I'm deciding between a focus on either Mandarin-speaking countries or Spanish-speaking countries.</p>

<p>Thank you SO MUCH to whoever can help!</p>

<p>yawn,</p>

<p>You can always do the IR sub-speciality in the poli sci department and just minor in global studies or something like that.</p>

<p>^ Mmm, I've always been a bit weary of doing poli sci. It has that certain you-know-what "poli sci stigma". >_<</p>

<p>Like, things like this:</p>

<p>
[quote]
I couldn't find a job with my Poly Sci BS. Employers told me to get my masters which would appeal to field employers. I got that 1.5 years ago. Straight A's, passed my comprehensive exams with distinction, did Model United Nations, and even served on the editorial board of our Political Science journal. I've applied for several jobs a week for 1.5 years and I've only had one interview. I'm working construction now and I hate it. Even the two major employers here in town (National insurance companies) are hiring those without an education before those that have one. Those people in the educational system who told us that any college degree is better than none were dillusional. Good luck.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>and this: Democratic</a> Underground - What careers are attainable for a Poli Sci major? - Democratic Underground</p>

<p>...make me a little reluctant to do poli sci, even if I suppose it's probably not any "worse" than Global Studies. -_-</p>

<p>So would poli sci really be "better" than global studies? Considering that poli sci is notorious for being a "useless" degree, I'm a little concerned. >_<</p>

<p>yawn,</p>

<p>Do you honestly believe that a global studies major is going to get out into the workforce and be any more or less impressive than a poli sci grad?</p>

<p>I'm saying that if you like something, then STUDY IT. Honestly, if you're that worried about hedging against risk, just minor in econ and you're good to go. If you're so easily cowed into submission by ONE example of an unsuccessful poli sci grad, then you ought to just major in econ/biz-econ. I'm serious. </p>

<p>I never said that it would be "better." I don't believe one major is better than another. I believe that your major is only as good as you make it. I know UCLA econ majors who sold insurance after undergrad. I know poli sci majors making six-figure salaries.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Considering that poli sci is notorious for being a "useless" degree

[/quote]
</p>

<p>If you want to study IR, how is it "useless?"</p>

<p>can i get some advice on where to transfer to for IR?
i'll be a sophomore</p>

<p>george washington university, elliot school - international affairs (no fin. aid, more expensive than my current school)
occidental college - diplomacy and world affairs (free tuition because my mom teaches there), will be able to do an internship at the UN first semester senior year because it's part of the program
scripps college - politics and international relations (no fin. aid)</p>

<p>cost is important because i need to go to grad school so i'm wondering if occidental's program is good/prestigious enough to get into a good grad school and good job post college</p>

<p>i should add that i'm not very interested in government service - i think i want to work for a human rights organization or do international law</p>

<p>I'd choose Occidental hands down given your situation. It doesn't really matter what undergraduate school you attend as long as you have good grades and work experience and Occidental is a terrific school.</p>

<p>im glad to have found this thread...thanks to all those who have contributed. Im interested in poli sci and ir but dont know if i should continue or where to continue my studies. In the realm of domestic policies i am very interested in the campaign finance reform issue and the issue of corporate media's influence on people's view of govt and policies. I have already examined the programs (both MA and phd) of most of the top tier schools mentioned before (mostly east coast). most do not really look into campaign finance or media in their poli sci/american politics focus.
my main inspiration for being interested in i.r. is chomsky. Specifically i like the issues of public international law/latin american-us foreign policy/us-mex relations/war of drugs.<br>
most poli sci programs with i.r. focus tend to lead heavily towards europe, asia and meddle east.
anyone know good Latin american programs for Phd and MA? or anything programs that have profs that look into drug policy? any help is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>p.s. i realize that having chomsky as a role model is a bit conflicting with looking at elite poli sci programs that tend to support status quo</p>

<p>also, i noticed that most people looking into grad programs in poli sci/ir/international affairs are looking to go into MA programs. why not ph d? most schools have MPP or MPA and PHD in polisci and courses look very similar. anyone into chomsky? look up this article on chomsky and IR, if so:</p>

<p>Discerning the patterns of world order: Noam Chomsky and international theory after the Cold War by: MARK LAFFEY</p>

<p>lastly, any info on USC master of public diplomacy? or PhD in polisci/IR?</p>

<p>What are the good IR MA programs in New York City?</p>

<p>most people seem to like columbia</p>

<p>SIPA @ Columbia</p>

<p>I am looking to pursue an IR MA in Europe, as I would like to learn another language. Can someone give me a few suggestions on schools to consider in Switzerland or Belgium?</p>

<p>Besides the likes of AU, Georgetown, GWU, John Hopkins, etc. What are other schools out there that are just as solid and maybe a little easier to get into for undergrad?</p>

<p>A lot of the discussion in this thread is about getting a Master's in IR.
I'm in highschool, and want to major in IR as an undergrad (and also do prelaw advising). Then I plan on going to law school. How important is getting into a "really good" IR school (like Georgetown or Ivies, etc) for an undergrad major? I've looked at some colleges before finding this thread, and I also am wondering about the IR programs at Carnegie Mellon, Hamilton, Dickinson, and Kenyon. If anyone could provide some insight, that would be great!</p>

<p>frazzlepop, I really think that Seton Hall would be worth more to you than NYU. The primary reason being that a masters degree is not that big of a jump on the professional scale. In other words, with NYU, you will be acquiring twice as much debt and therefore the opportunity cost will be a tremedous burden. From what I've heard the Whitehead School is a strong program and well regarded with special ties to the United Nations. All in all, I think you would be better off there.</p>

<p>On the East Coast, there is no doubt about it, these schools are definitely the top full programs...</p>

<ol>
<li>Kennedy School - Harvard</li>
<li>SAIS - Johns Hopkins</li>
<li>SFS - Georgetown</li>
<li>Woodrow Wilson School - Princeton</li>
<li>SIS - American</li>
<li>SIPA - Columbia</li>
<li>Whitehead School - Seton Hall</li>
<li>Elliott School - George Washington</li>
</ol>

<p>Plus APSIA is the best source when it comes to international relations/affairs. However, I would be wary of programs not within a separate school (i.e. "Masters in" vs. "School of"). All of the schools listed above are schools with extensive resources and the sufficient professional connections to begin a career in international relations/affairs.</p>