Optional Specializations
MSFS students have the option to develop an academic specialization that complements their concentration and reflects their background, coursework, internships, and career objectives.
A specialization must include 3 courses in a concentration and at least three other directly relevant courses that come from any concentration or other graduate programs. Internships and international experience should also be integrated into the specialization design.
Students wishing to add a specialization to their studies must
- Submit a proposal at any point after formally choosing a concentration (including a statement of purpose, outline of projected courses, and possible related internships, languages, or other relevant skills),
- Secure the Concentration Coordinator's endorsement,
- Obtain final approval from the MSFS Director.
Specializations may be designed with a functional, regional, or policy focus but should relate to fields of professional endeavor. Examples include, but are not limited to: risk analysis, humanitarian intervention, intellectual property, energy, European Union, democratization, privatization, and international banking.
Below are sample specialization packages:
1) Concentration in Global Commerce and Finance
Example of Possible MSFS Specialization in Business Project Finance
Courses in MSFS Program:
- Business Accounting and Finance
- International Financial Markets
- Political and Economic Risk Assessment
- Global Business Strategy
- Petroleum in the Global Economy
- Project Finance
Relevant Internships:
- Project Finance Intern, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
- Sovereign & Financial Risk Analyst, CLS Bank International
- Project Coordinator, Western Hemisphere Business Division, U.S. Chamber of Commerce,
- Intern, Services & Investment Division, U.S. International Trade Commission
Post-graduation employment: Bechtel International, Equitorial Guinea.
2) Concentration in International Business-Government Relations
Example of Possible Specialization in U.S. Policy Process
Courses in MSFS Program:
- U.S. Foreign Policy Process: Executive/Congressional Relations Defining
- National Interests
- Competitive Business-Government Strategies
- International Business and Public Policy
- International Business-Government Relations Practicum
- Workshop: International Business-Government Relations
Related Internships:
- International Program Coordinator, International Public and Government Relations, Eli Lilly & Company
- Consular/Economic Intern, U.S. Department of State, Caracas, Venezuela
- International Trade Intern, New Zealand Embassy
- Government Affairs Project Coordinator, Philips Electronics
Post-graduation employment : U.S. Senate Government Affairs Subcommittee on Finance, Management, Budget & International Security
3) Concentration in Foreign Policy and International Security
Example of Possible Specialization in Eurasia
Courses in MSFS Program:
- Politics and Society of Russia
- Democratic Development: Policy/Process/Practice
- Business Dynamics in Eurasia
- Political and Economic Risk Assessment
- Culture & International Affairs in the 21st Century
- Workshop: International Security Issues
Relevant Internships:
- Program Assistant, Eurasia, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
- Intern, Political and Economic Section, U.S. Department of State, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel
Post-graduation employment: Analyst on Eurasia, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
4) Concentration in International Development
Example of Possible Specialization in Economic Assistance Policies:
Coursework in MSFS Program:
- Public Sector Reform/Privatization
- Micro Enterprise Development
- Development in Africa
- Development Economics
- International Business-Government Relations Practicum
- Workshop: International Development
Relevant Internships:
- Trade and Competitiveness Intern, Carana Corporation (development consulting firm)
- Product Development Intern, Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA), Kampala, Uganda
- Knowledge Management Intern, FINCA International
Post-graduation employment: Millennium Challenge Account, DC
5) Concentration in Conflict Management
Example of Possible Specialization in Refugee Assistance:
Coursework in MSFS Program:
- Conflict Management and International Security
- Introduction to Human Rights & Humanitarian Crises
- Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
- Issues in African Studies
- International Mediation: Strategy and Methods
- Workshop: Organization & Management of International Intervention
Relevant Internships:
- Intern, Fund for Peace
- Intern, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Nairobi, Kenya
- Program Officer, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy
Post-graduation employment: Consultant, Conflict and Development Team, Africa Region, World Bank Group, DC
MSFS in Profile
Victor D. Cha
Associate Professor
"I find MSFS students very energetic about their choice to pursue more academics to complement their experiences in international affairs."
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