M.A. in International Administration

Overview

The University of Miami’s Master of Arts in International Administration Program is a thirty (30) credit interdisciplinary graduate degree designed to prepare students for careers in the administration of public and private organizations.  MAIA students learn how to identify, analyze, and manage the complex global problems that confront modern institutions, particularly in areas of security, human rights, and geopolitics. The program combines academic considerations of politics and culture with those of intelligence, economics, and management to provide participants with the skills necessary to pursue a range of career objectives in both domestic and international careers.  MAIA students are change-agents, entrepreneurs, and leaders in both government and non-governmental sectors.  Our graduates have pursued careers in the realm of non-profits and non-governmental organizations, in the fields of communication, health, emergency management and national security, as well as in the financial and business sectors.  The degree is awarded by the College of Arts and Sciences.  

Admission Requirements

The Master of Arts in International Administration (MAIA) program accepts rolling admissions. Interested students may apply to the program at any time. 

• Online Application
  • Please complete the online application by clicking here.
• Application Fee
  • An $85.00 non-refundable application fee is paid online upon submission of the application.
• Statement of Purpose

  • The statement of purpose is the most important element of your application packet. This letter needs to reflect who you are, your goals and why you would be an asset to the MAIA program. It is very important to ensure it is grammatically correct and as detailed as possible. The statement of purpose should be no more than two pages in length. Please review before your submit. 

    Below is a link to help you get started:

    OWL Statement of Purpose Guidelines.

• Letters of Recommendation
  • Three letters of recommendation must be provided. One letter should be from a faculty member. Two letters should be from an employer, colleague, or other professional source.
• Official Transcripts
  • You must provide official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Official transcripts in languages other than English must also be submitted with a certified English translation.
• Resume
  • Please provide a copy of your resume if it is available.
• Admissions Interview
  • The admissions interview may be conducted in person, over the phone, or via video conference.
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • A minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

• ​Official TOEFL (or IELTS) Score

  • ​All international students are required to take this exam in order to demonstrate sufficient English competency. The "Test Of English As A Foreign Language (TOEFL)" exam is offered as a paper-based test (PBT) or an internet-based test (IBT). A score of 550 is required for the PBT; a score of 80 is required for the IBT. 

  • Students may also take the "International English Language Testing System (IELTS)" exam to demonstrate sufficient competency in English. A score of 6.5 or higher is required. 

  • All international students must provide a copy of their results on either exam. 

  • International students from countries whose primary language is English are not required to take this exam.

Curriculum Requirements

MAIA with Certificate in Security Management

MAIA with Certificate in Geospatial Technology

MAIA - Concentration in Risk Communications

MAIA - Concentration in Health Equity and Human Rights

MAIA - Concentration in International Crime and Justice

MAIA - Independent Concentration

The Independent Concentration will allow MAIA students to create their own plan of study by customizing the selection of 12 elective credits required to complete their graduate degree. In order to apply for the Independent concentration, students must enter the MAIA program with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher and be in good academic standing.

Requirements for the Independent Concentration:

• An explanation of why the existing concentrations are insufficient and/or do not apply to the student’s career path.
• The topic of their proposed concentration and a selection of electives to complete the MAIA program that support their topic.
• Approval of the student’s Guidance Committee. Each student’s guidance committee will be comprised of the MAIA program director and another MAIA-affiliated faculty member from a different department representing the main scholarly areas of the courses selected for the independent concentration. (At present, the MAIA program director is a member of the Department of Political Science). A third Guidance Committee member might be appropriate when the proposed course of study encompasses expertise from three departments or disciplines.

Sample Plan of Study

Master of Arts in International Administration (1-year plan)

*

Summer courses can be completed at the start of the 1-year plan or at the end, as MAIA accepts rolling admissions. 

MAIA  with Security Management Certificate

*

Summer courses can be completed at the start of the 1-year plan or at the end, as MAIA accepts rolling admissions.

MAIA with Geospatial Technology Certificate

*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.

MAIA with a concentration in Risk Communications 

*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.

MAIA concentration in Health Equity and Human Rights

*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.

MAIA concentration in International Crime and Justice

*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.

MAIA Independent Concentration

*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.

Mission

The Master of Arts in International Administration program (MAIA) seeks to prepare students for careers in the administration of public and private organizations. Students are introduced to academic traditions of scholarship and the insights of professional practice in the identification, analysis and management of the complex problems that confront modern institutions. They engage considerations of politics and culture as well as those of intelligence, economics, and management in order to develop the skills necessary to work with people in multiple contexts and environments. These include: 

• Local, state and federal governmental agencies
• Regional and international organizations
• National and international public health-care management organizations
• Non-profit public service organizations
• Global relief and charitable groups
• Civil society movements
• Emergency management organizations
• Multinational corporations

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the subject-matter through their master's project.  This involves an understanding of the function and structure of global organizations, the broader political, cultural and economic context within which they exists, and the ability to apply skills in critical analysis, problem-solving and written communications, developed during their course of study and through tabletop exercises.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, a habit of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
• Students will demonstrate their skills in written communication, learning to work in many genres and styles. It can involve working with many different writing technologies, and mixing text, data and images.