Maxwell School and CSIS Partner on Executive IR Degree in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, October 25, 2017: The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) are pleased to announce a new partnership to launch an Executive Master’s in International Relations degree program in Washington, D.C., beginning in 2018. This advanced degree will allow working professionals in the nation’s capital to benefit from the academic strengths of a major research university and the practical applications of a leading global think tank. Students will learn from Maxwell faculty, CSIS scholars, and guest lecturers drawn from the senior ranks of government and business communities, while earning a degree from the nation’s #1 ranked school for graduate education in public affairs and contributing their own ideas to real-world policy challenges.

“The complexity of today’s global environment demands an interdisciplinary and practical understanding of the threats and challenges facing the international community,” said Dr. John Hamre, CSIS president and CEO. “We want to create a space where innovative ideas can surface and where the next generation of leaders can start to contribute meaningful policy ideas.”

The Executive Master’s in International Relations in D.C. (EMIR in DC) is intended for mid-career professionals with at least seven years of experience who are interested in advancing their careers and being able to take classes on a schedule that does not interfere with their work. Students will be able to choose from one of five specializations: Global Security & Intelligence, Foreign Policy, Global Markets, Global Development, or Public Diplomacy.

In addition to academic courses, students will spend one of their semesters working directly with CSIS policy experts to complete a rigorous capstone project aimed at addressing an international policy challenge. Students will also work with CSIS’s award-winning production studio to develop a multimedia product that showcases their research findings and policy recommendations, while attaining new skills in data analysis, visualization, and presentation.

“We are thrilled to build on our strong partnership with CSIS to offer public service–oriented professionals an unparalleled option to pursue an advanced IR degree in Washington while at the same time benefiting from the vast resources of a top-ranked, global think tank,” said David M. Van Slyke, dean of the Maxwell School.

Classes start in 2018. Students may elect to enter the program in the Spring, Summer, or Fall semester. For more information on the Executive Master’s in International Relations in D.C., please visit the program website.