Law and Government - Graduate Programme in International Governance
School of Law & Government
Graduate Programme in International Governance
Graduate Programme in International Governance
- MA in Development (1 year, full-time)
- MA in Globalisation (1 year, full-time)
- MA in International Organisations (1 year, full-time)
- MA in International Relations (1 year, full-time)
- MA in International Relations (2 years, part-time)
- MA in International Security and Conflict Studies (1 year, full-time)
DCU has run a Master of Arts in International Relations programme since 1997 and has attracted graduates of every Irish university, as well as students from Australia, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lesotho, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Vietnam, and the USA. We have added other programmes over the years as student interest in and DCU's reputation in international politics has grown. Each programme class is a maximum size of approx. 30 students, with a wide variety of optional specialisms running which allow a wide choice, and a mixing of class groups.
The graduate programme is highly regarded in Ireland and internationally and provides a challenging and innovative learning environment. It is anticipated that the class will be made up of a mix of recent graduates and those with some relevant work experience and also a mix of Irish and international students.
An integral part of the M.A. programmes is their extensive use of high-profile guest speakers, which include international politicians, officials, academics and diplomats (please see our sample list below). This practical dimension perfectly complements the theoretical grounding that students gain in other parts of these programmes.
The part-time programme is delivered over two years on Friday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 8.15 p.m., in two semesters of 12 weeks in each year. Enquiries should be directed to School of Law and Government, DCU, Dublin 9, Ireland (+353 1 7007720; e-mail martina.reddy@dcu.ie
Aims and Objectives
The Programme will provide students with the skills and abilities to understand the pressures giving rise to and created by globalisation. To this end, it will facilitate recent graduates by providing a focused post-graduate degree programme. For students with some years' work experience in the field, the programme will provide a basis for further professional development within their chosen career.
The principal objectives of the programme are:
- to develop in students a detailed understanding of the key concepts, forces and processes underpinning contemporary international relations;
- to provide an in-depth knowledge of the ways in which contemporary world politics and the international regulatory environment shape the role and character of the principal actors on the world stage, including national and multi-national business, international institutions of governance and co-operation, and non-governmental organisations;
- through the extensive participation of guest speakers on the programme, to provide insights into the calculations and motivations of policy makers, operators and commentators in international politics, economics, diplomacy, development, international security, international public and private law, and other dimensions of international studies;
- to develop critical perspectives on contemporary world affairs, in realms such as human rights, international trade and political economy, national and international security, international media and communications, international politics, and development.
Employment and career prospects
DCU's extensive dialogue with business, industry and government in Ireland and internationally confirms that what employers seek in Masters level students is not specific sets of knowledge but broader and more durable intellectual and personal attributes. The course is intended, through fostering the appropriate research, analytical, critical and communication skills, to enable students to make their careers in an international environment, be it in business, in government and administration, in research, in development work or in communications.
Graduates from DCU's international relations programme have gone on to work for development agencies, in the media, in diplomatic services, in international businesses and to further research.
Career planning issues are addressed in conjunction with the University Careers and Appointments Office, and by guest speakers including diplomats and development workers (see below).
Entry Requirements and Student Selection
The programme is suitable both for recent graduates in any discipline and for those with some years' work experience in international organisations, in development, in government, in business or in education. Persons accepted for the MA programme will normally have an honours primary degree or equivalent, although appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may be accepted as equivalent to an honours degree in accordance with the relevant regulations of the University.
Applicants will be ranked by prior academic achievement, their work experience where relevant, and their stated reasons for wishing to take the programme. In respect of the latter, applicants are asked to include a 200 word statement outlining a) why they wish to take this programme, b) what in their record and experience makes them suitable for the MA programme, and c) the impact which they expect the MA would have on their future careers. Applicants who are awaiting their degree results should indicate both the level of award expected, and their undergraduate record to date. Some applicants may be called for interview.
Application details
Applications to all our programmes are made online. To apply, visit the Postgraduate Applications Centre at www.pac.ie to complete the online form. The programme codes are:Fees
Fees are set by the University and have not been finalised for 2007-08. The fees for 2006-07 are available at: http://www.dcu.ie/finance/fees/schedule.shtml
Programme outline
Full-time students on the MA programme take four core modules in Semester 1 (September- December), and one core module in Semester 2 (February-May). In addition, in Semester 2 students choose three modules from the options outlined below (each option is offered subject to staff availability and sufficient student demand). Students also complete a major dissertation (15-20,000 words), which is completed over the Summer. Assessment within the programme is based on combinations of project work, essays, class presentations and end of module examinations in the various modules. Every student must satisfy examiners in all subjects in every respect to be eligible for the degree, which is awarded at first class honours, second class honours and pass level according to the overall marks achieved. Part-time students take two core courses in Semester 1 of each year, and two options in Semester 2 of each year. Further details of core modules and options are available at: http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/degrees.php?school=62
External speaker programme
The MA Programme features seminars and presentations by guest speakers with particular experience and expertise, be it as politicians, officials, academics or diplomats, in foreign policy and international relations. The intention is to facilitate the exploration of key issues in international relations in an informal, interactive environment. Amongst previous guest speakers in DCU have been:
- Patty Abozalgo (trocaire)
- Commandant Declan Carberry (Defence Forces)
- George Dempsey (retired American diplomat)
- Lt. Col. Colm Doyle (Defence Forces)
- Col. E. D. Doyle (The Irish Times)
- Noel Dorr (former Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs, and former Ambassador to the United Nations )
- Necati Ertekun (Turkish Cypriot spokesman on foreign affairs)
- Fernando Estandia (Mexican Embassy)
- Dr Garret FitzGerald MRIA (former Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs)
- Joe Hayes (former Irish Ambassador to China)
- Eduardo Mattos Hossanah (Brazilian Embassy)
- Ali Halimeh, Delegate General of Palestine in Ireland
- Michael Herman (retired British official)
- Ivan Ivanissevich (Counsellor, Argentinian Embassy)
- Declan Kelleher (Deputy Political Director, Department of Foreign Affairs)
- Captain Derek Kenny (Defence Forces)
- Dr. Karen Kenny (International Human Rights trust)
- Dr Michael Kennedy (Royal Irish Academy Documents on Irish Foreign Policy project)
- Chief Superintendent John McGroarty (Garda Headquarters)
- Dr. Martin Mansergh (Special Adviser to An Taoiseach)
- Michael McDowell (Irish Attorney General)
- Dr. Emiliou Nicholas (Cypriot Ambassador to Ireland)
- David Noonan (Department of Foreign Affairs)
- Cónal O'Caóimh (Comhlámh)
- Liz O'Donnell, (Minister of State, Department of Foreign Affairs)
- Juri Seilenthal (Estonian embassy)
- Mark Sofer, Ambassador of Israel
- Lt. Gen. David Stapleton (Chief of Staff, Defence Forces)
- Dr Mario Sznajder (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)