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International Affairs

Reference year : 2026-27

Specializations and variants

Diplomacy, International Organizations and Foreign Policy (DIFP)
M.A. International Affairs with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies (5.0 credits)
M.A. International Affairs with Collaborative Specialization in Climate Change (5.0 credits)
M.A. International Affairs with Collaborative Specialization in Cybersecurity (5.0 credits)
M.A. International Affairs with Collaborative Specialization in Data Science (5.0 credits)
M.A. International Affairs with Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (5.0 credits)
Ph.D. International Affairs (3.5 credits)
Ph.D. International Affairs with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies (4.5 credits)
Other information gathered

Program Requirements M.A. International Affairs (5.0 credits) Full-time program requirements NPSIA's M.A. in International Affairs is a 5.0 credit professional program with four fields. Students may complete their degree with a field designation or may graduate with a general M.A. in International Affairs without a field designation. See the Fields section below for additional information. Students admitted to the full-time program must complete all of the degree requirements within two calendar years (six terms) of full-time study. Students admitted into the full-time program are expected to continue to register as full-time students until completion of their program. Requirements - Thesis pattern (5.0 credits) 1. 1.5 credits in: 1.5 INAF 5015 [0.5] Research Design and Methods for International Affairs INAF 5016 [0.5] Statistical Analysis for International Affairs INAF 5017 [0.25] International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process INAF 5018 [0.25] Law and International Affairs 2. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from (See Note 1, below): 0.5 INAF 5009 [0.5] Economics of Development INAF 5205 [0.5] Economics of Conflict INAF 5214 [0.5] Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence INAF 5308 [0.5] International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy INAF 5703 [0.5] International Public Economics 3. 1.0 credit in Field and Elective courses (See Notes 2 and 3, below) 1.0 4. 2.0 credits in: 2.0 INAF 5909 [2.0] M.A. Thesis 5. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (see Note 4, below) Total Credits 5.0 Requirements - Research Essay pattern (5.0 credits) 1. 1.5 credit in: 1.5 INAF 5015 [0.5] Research Design and Methods for International Affairs INAF 5016 [0.5] Statistical Analysis for International Affairs INAF 5017 [0.25] International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process INAF 5018 [0.25] Law and International Affairs 2. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from (See Note 1, below): 0.5 INAF 5009 [0.5] Economics of Development INAF 5205 [0.5] Economics of Conflict INAF 5214 [0.5] Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence INAF 5308 [0.5] International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy INAF 5703 [0.5] International Public Economics 3. 2.0 credits in Field and Elective courses (See Notes 2 and 3, below) 2.0 4. 1.0 credit in: 1.0 INAF 5908 [1.0] Research Essay 5. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (see Note 4, below) Total Credits 5.0 Requirements - Coursework pattern (5.0 credits) 1. 1.0 credit in: 1.0 INAF 5016 [0.5] Statistical Analysis for International Affairs INAF 5017 [0.25] International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process INAF 5018 [0.25] Law and International Affairs 2. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from: (See Note 1, below) 0.5 INAF 5009 [0.5] Economics of Development INAF 5205 [0.5] Economics of Conflict INAF 5214 [0.5] Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence INAF 5308 [0.5] International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy INAF 5703 [0.5] International Public Economics 3. 3.5 credits of Field and Elective courses (See Notes 2 and 3, below) 3.5 4. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (see Note 4, below) Total Credits 5.0 Notes: Students must complete the 0.5 credit economics course for their designated field. This economics course does not count towards the 1.5 credits required for a field designation (see Note 2). The M.A. Associate Director may grant an exemption for students who have successfully completed an equivalent graduate or advanced-level undergraduate economics course. In that case students must take an alternative economics course approved by the M.A. Associate Director. Students without a field designation may complete any one of the listed INAF 0.5 credit economics courses. Students have the option to earn a field designation by taking 1.5 credits in designated field courses, or to complete their degree without a field designation. If students choose to complete by Research Essay or Thesis, and the Research Essay or Thesis is relevant to the field, 0.5 credit may be applied towards the field designation. With advanced approval of the M.A. Associate Director, s tudents may take a maximum of 1.5 credits in courses offered outside the School, with a maximum of 1.0 credit in a single subject and a maximum of 1.0 credit at the 4000-level. Students must successfully complete an examination in second language proficiency administered by Carleton University's School of Linguistics and Language Studies, or meet the equivalent standard as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. Fields NPSIA's M.A. program includes four fields. Each field has at least one associated economics course and designated field courses. Students who complete the associated field economics course and 1.5 credits in designated field courses may receive a field designation on their academic transcript and diploma. Courses marked below with an asterisk (*) are shared across fields and may be applied towards any associated field concentration. Descriptions of each field can be found on the NPSIA website. The fields are: International Trade and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Program pathways and conditions

These tables reproduce the source requirements for the indicated period. Official interpretation is the responsibility of the university.

Pathway 1
Required economics courses: INAF 5308 or equivalent.
Designated Field Courses:
INAF 5101 [0.5]The Politics and Institutions of International Trade
INAF 5300 [0.5]Foreign Direct Investment: Theory and Policy
INAF 5306 [0.5]Trade Policy in North America
INAF 5312 [0.5]The Practice of Trade Negotiations
INAF 5400 [0.5]Trade Policy Analysis
INAF 5401 [0.5]International Financial Institutions and Policy
INAF 5410 [0.5]Global Public Policy
INAF 5459 [0.5]Selected Topics in International Trade and Economic Policy
INAF 5501 [0.5]Global Political Economy
INAF 5502 [0.5]State Sovereignty and Globalization
INAF 5507 [0.5]International Economic Law: Regulation of Trade and Investment *
INAF 5711 [0.5]International Labour Migration
Pathway 2
Required economics course: INAF 5308 or INAF 5703 or equivalent.
Designated Field Courses:
INAF 5100 [0.5]Canada in International Affairs
INAF 5101 [0.5]The Politics and Institutions of International Trade *
INAF 5203 [0.5]International Mediation and Conflict Resolution
INAF 5207 [0.5]Middle East Economic and Political Relations
INAF 5208 [0.5]U.S. Foreign and Security Policy
INAF 5305 [0.5]International Bargaining and Negotiation: Theory and Practice
INAF 5306 [0.5]Trade Policy in North America
INAF 5312 [0.5]The Practice of Trade Negotiations
INAF 5401 [0.5]International Financial Institutions and Policy *
INAF 5403 [0.5]Diplomacy and Foreign Policy: Theory and Practice
INAF 5404 [0.5]Advanced Canadian Foreign Policy
INAF 5405 [0.5]International Organizations in International Affairs
INAF 5408 [0.5]Gender in International Affairs
INAF 5410 [0.5]Global Public Policy
INAF 5411 [0.5]Internet Governance
INAF 5429 [0.5]Selected Topics in Diplomacy International Organisations and Foreign Policy
INAF 5479 [0.5]Selected Topics in Diplomacy, International Organizations, and Foreign Policy
INAF 5501 [0.5]Global Political Economy
INAF 5502 [0.5]State Sovereignty and Globalization *
INAF 5504 [0.5]Advanced International Law: Principles and Practice
INAF 5510 [0.5]Law and Diplomacy
INAF 5605 [0.5]The Ethical Dimension of International Affairs
INAF 5612 [0.5]International Development Institutions *
INAF 5701 [0.5]Global Environmental Change: Human Implications
INAF 5702 [0.5]International Environmental Affairs
INAF 5705 [0.5]Global Social Policy
INAF 5706 [0.5]Global Health Policy
INAF 5709 [0.5]Human Rights: International Politics and Policies
INAF 5710 [0.5]Global Governance of Displacement
INAF 5711 [0.5]International Labour Migration
INAF 5800 [0.5]Asia Pacific Economic and Political Relations
INAF 5803 [0.5]European Economic Integration
INAF 5805 [0.5]The EU in International Affairs
Pathway 3
Requirements - thesis pathway (5.0 credits)
1. 0.5 credit in:0.5
AFRI 5000 [0.5]African Studies as a Discipline: Historical and Current Perspectives
AFRI 5800 [0.0]Scholarly Preparation in African Studies
2. 1.5 credit in:1.5
INAF 5015 [0.5]Research Design and Methods for International Affairs
INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs
INAF 5017 [0.25]International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process
INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs
3. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from (See Note 1, below):0.5
INAF 5009 [0.5]Economics of Development
INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict
INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence
INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy
INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics
4. 2.0 credits in:2.0
INAF 5909 [2.0]M.A. Thesis (in the specialization)
5. 0.5 credit in Field and Elective courses (see Notes 2 and 3, below)0.5
6. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (See Note 4, below)
Total Credits5.0
Pathway 4
Requirements - thesis pathway (5.0 credits)
1. 1.0 credit in:1.0
CLIM 5000 [1.0]Climate Collaboration
2. 0.0 credit in:0.0
CLIM 5800 [0.0]Climate Seminar Series
3. 1.5 credits in:1.5
INAF 5015 [0.5]Research Design and Methods for International Affairs
INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs
INAF 5017 [0.25]International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process
INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs
4. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from: (see Note 1 below)0.5
INAF 5009 [0.5]Economics of Development
INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict
INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence
INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy
INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics
4. 2.0 credits in:2.0
INAF 5909 [2.0]M.A. Thesis (in the Specialization)
5. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (see Note 2 below)
Total Credits5.0
Pathway 5
Requirements - thesis pathway
1. 1.0 credit in:1.0
CYBR 5000 [1.0]Science and Social Science of Cybersecurity
2. 1.5 credits in:1.5
INAF 5015 [0.5]Research Design and Methods for International Affairs
INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs
INAF 5017 [0.25]International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process
INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs
3. 0.5 credit in economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from (See Note 1, below):0.5
INAF 5009 [0.5]Economics of Development
INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict
INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence
INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy
INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics
4. 2.0 credits in:2.0
INAF 5909 [2.0]M.A. Thesis (in the specialization)
5. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (See Note 4, below)
Total Credits5.0
Pathway 6
Requirements - thesis pathway:
1. 0.5 credit in:0.5
DATA 5000 [0.5]Introduction to Data Science
2. 1.0 credit in:1.0
INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs
INAF 5017 [0.25]International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process
INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs
3. 0.5 credit in Economics, successfully completed by the end of the second term from: (see Note 1, below)0.5
INAF 5009 [0.5]Economics of Development
INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict
INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence
INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy
INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics
4. 2.0 credits in:2.0
INAF 5909 [2.0]M.A. Thesis (in the specialization)
5. 1.0 credit in Field or Elective courses (See Notes 2 and 3, below)1.0
6. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (See Note 4, below)
Total Credits5.0
Pathway 7
Requirements - thesis pathway
1. 0.5 credit in:0.5
LACS 5000 [0.5]Interdisciplinary Approaches to Latin American and Caribbean Studies
2. 0.0 credit in:0.0
LACS 5800 [0.0]Scholarly Preparation in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
3. 1.5 credits in:1.5
INAF 5015 [0.5]Research Design and Methods for International Affairs
INAF 5016 [0.5]Statistical Analysis for International Affairs
INAF 5017 [0.25]International Policymaking in Canada: Structure and Process
INAF 5018 [0.25]Law and International Affairs
4. 0.5 credit in ECON, successfully completed by the end of the second term, from (See Note 1, below):0.5
INAF 5009 [0.5]Economics of Development
INAF 5205 [0.5]Economics of Conflict
INAF 5214 [0.5]Economics for National Security, Intelligence and Defence
INAF 5308 [0.5]International Trade and Finance: Theory and Policy
INAF 5703 [0.5]International Public Economics
5. 2.0 credits in:2.0
INAF 5909 [2.0]M.A. Thesis (in the specialization)
6. 0.5 credit in: Field and Elective courses (see Note 2 and 3, below)0.5
7. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination (See Note 4, below)
Total Credits5.0
Pathway 8
Requirements:
1. 1.5 credits in:1.5
INAF 6001 [0.5]Qualitative Research Methods
INAF 6002 [0.5]Quantitative Research Methods
INAF 6003 [0.5]Advanced International Policy Analysis
2. 0.0 credit in:
INAF 6005 [0.0]Doctoral Research Seminar
3. 0.5 credit in required INAF economics course for the declared field (see Note above)0.5
4. 1.0 credit in courses in the declared field1.0
5. Language requirement
Doctoral students must successfully complete an examination in a second language administered by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies, or meet the equivalent standard as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. Students are expected to complete this requirement or demonstrate significant progress by the end of their fourth term.
6. 0.5 credit in:0.5
INAF 6906 [0.5]Doctoral Research Prospectus Seminar and Defence
7. 0.0 credits in:0.0
INAF 6909 [0.0]Doctoral Research Thesis
Total Credits3.5
Pathway 9
Requirements - Standard admission:
1. 1.5 credits in:1.5
INAF 6001 [0.5]Qualitative Research Methods
INAF 6002 [0.5]Quantitative Research Methods
INAF 6003 [0.5]Advanced International Policy Analysis
2. 0.0 credit in:
INAF 6005 [0.0]Doctoral Research Seminar
3. 0.5 credit in required INAF economics course for the declared field (see Note above)0.5
4. 1.0 credit in courses in the declared field1.0
5. 0.5 credit in:0.5
AFRI 5000 [0.5]African Studies as a Discipline: Historical and Current Perspectives
6. 0.0 credit in:
AFRI 5800 [0.0]Scholarly Preparation in African Studies
7. 0.5 credit in:0.5
AFRI 6000 [0.5]Thinking from Africa: Historical Perspectives, Contemporary Dimensions
8. Doctoral students must successfully complete an examination in a second language administered by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies, or meet the equivalent standard as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. Students are expected to complete this requirement or demonstrate significant progress by the end of their fourth term.
9. 0.5 credit in: doctoral research seminar and public defence of the doctoral research prospectus0.5
INAF 6906 [0.5]Doctoral Research Prospectus Seminar and Defence
10. 0.0 credit in:0.0
INAF 6909 [0.0]Doctoral Research Thesis (in the Specialization)
Total Credits4.5

Courses

These courses were identified on the program source page. Their presence does not mean they are all required in every pathway.

Sources and references

Reference year : 2026-27

Dates and sources are retained to help you verify the information. Translations are provided to facilitate reading; the official source governs conditions and requirements.

Source reference : https://calendar.carleton.ca/grad/gradprograms/internationalaffairs/

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