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 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
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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:
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- 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.
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Official TOEFL (or IELTS) Score
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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.
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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.
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All international students must provide a copy of their results on either exam.
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International students from countries whose primary language is English are not required to take this exam.
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Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in International Administration | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| IGS 616 | International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Students may choose between a capstone project, an internship, or a faculty-directed research project/paper. | ||
| Capstone in International Administration | ||
| Internship in International Administration | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA with Certificate in Security Management
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in International Administration with a Concentration in Security Management | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| IGS 644 | Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| IGS 645 | Human Security: Prevention Mitigation | 3 |
| IGS 646 | Civil Security Preparedness and Management | 3 |
| IGS 647 | Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance | 3 |
| Practicum (choose one) | 3 | |
| Capstone in International Administration | ||
| Internship in International Administration | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA with Certificate in Geospatial Technology
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAIA Core Courses | 15 | |
| International Organizations Masters Project | ||
| International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | ||
| World Affairs and Diplomacy | ||
| International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | ||
| GIS Certificate Courses | 12 | |
| Geographic Information Systems I | ||
| Remote Sensing of the Environment | ||
| Geographic Information Systems II | ||
| Web GIS (or any equivalent elective) | ||
| GIS Practicum | 3 | |
Students will require a member of the GIS core faculty to oversee the capstone project or internship. | ||
| Capstone in International Administration | ||
| Internship in International Administration | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA - Concentration in Risk Communications
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAIA Core Courses | 18 | |
| International Organizations Masters Project | ||
| International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | ||
| World Affairs and Diplomacy | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | ||
| Required Risk Communications Course | 3 | |
| Public Relations Fundamentals | ||
| Risk Communications Electives | 6 | |
| Writing for Public Relations | ||
| Design for Strategic Communication | ||
| Crisis Communication and Management | ||
| Media Relations | ||
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Capstone in International Administration | ||
| Internship in International Administration | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA - Concentration in Health Equity and Human Rights
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAIA Core Courses | 18 | |
| International Organizations Masters Project | ||
| International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | ||
| World Affairs and Diplomacy | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | ||
| Required Health Equity and Human Rights Course | 3 | |
| Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance | ||
| Health Equity and Human Rights Electives | 6 | |
| Globalization and Human Rights | ||
| Global Health and International Development | ||
| Disasters, Terrorism and Global Public Health | ||
| Global Health Policy and Ethics | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Multicultural Communities in a Globalized Society | ||
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Capstone in International Administration | ||
| Internship in International Administration | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA - Concentration in International Crime and Justice
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAIA Core Courses | 12 | |
| International Organizations Masters Project | ||
| Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | ||
| World Affairs and Diplomacy | ||
| International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | ||
| Required Criminology & Criminal Justice Courses | 6 | |
| The Criminal Justice System | ||
| Criminology and Public Policy | ||
| International Crime and Justice Electives | 9 | |
| International Political Economy | ||
| Human Security: Prevention Mitigation | ||
| Civil Security Preparedness and Management | ||
| Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice | ||
| Seminar on Policing | ||
| Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | ||
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Capstone in International Administration | ||
| Internship in International Administration | ||
| Graduate Internship and Paper | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA - Independent Concentration
The Independent Concentration will allow MAIA students to create their own plan of study by customizing the selection of 9 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.
The current curriculum of the MAIA program already matches this configuration, with 18 core credits, 9 elective credits, and 3 credits for the capstone experience.
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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAIA Core Courses | 18 | |
| International Organizations Masters Project | ||
| International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | ||
| World Affairs and Diplomacy | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | ||
| Electives - approved by the student's Guidance Committee | 9 | |
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Capstone in International Administration | ||
| Internship in International Administration | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Master of Arts in International Administration (1-year plan)
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| IGS 616 | International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
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Summer courses can be completed at the start of the 1-year plan or at the end, as MAIA accepts rolling admissions. Electives may be taken in Summer A or Summer B. The Capstone is completed in Summer C.
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IGS 615 may be substituted for IGS 648, depending on whether the student secures an internship in the Spring or Summer.
MAIA with Security Management Certificate
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer I | Credit Hours | |
| IGS 644 | Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
| IGS 646 | Civil Security Preparedness and Management | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Summer II | ||
| IGS 645 | Human Security: Prevention Mitigation | 3 |
| IGS 647 | Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
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.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| GEG 691 | Geographic Information Systems I | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| GEG 693 | Geographic Information Systems II | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| IGS 616 | International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | 3 |
| GEG 692 | Remote Sensing of the Environment | 3 |
| GEG 695 | Web GIS | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA with a concentration in Risk Communications
*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| STC 620 | Public Relations Fundamentals | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| IGS 616 | International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | 3 |
| Two STC electives or one STC elective and the Practicum | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| One STC elective or the Practicum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA concentration in Health Equity and Human Rights
*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credit Hours | |
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| IGS 647 | Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance | 3 |
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| IGS 616 | International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPS 625 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| EPS 626 | Multicultural Communities in a Globalized Society | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
MAIA concentration in International Crime and Justice
*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| IGS 616 | International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | 3 |
| SOC 673 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| SOC 677 | Criminology and Public Policy | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
MAIA Independent Concentration
*Based on full-time enrollment. MAIA may also be completed part-time.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| IGS 613 | Global Cultures: Religion, Communication, and Security | 3 |
| IGS 614 | World Affairs and Diplomacy | 3 |
| IGS 616 | International Leadership, Strategy, and Decision Making | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| IGS 611 | International Organizations Masters Project | 3 |
| IGS 612 | International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| IGS 615 | International Political Economy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| Three IGS electives | 9 | |
| Practicum | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
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 business, finance 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
- Corporate and financial concerns
- Emergency management organizations
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the subject-matter through their capstone experience. 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, to their practicum.
- 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.
