Master’s degree in International Relations (LM-52)

Master’s degree in International Relations – programme overview

The Master’s degree programme in Political Science allows students to acquire a deep knowledge of international issues through a historical, social, geographical, political and economic perspective. Through the distance learning methodology, the student is enabled to analyse the evolution of contemporary society and of the current structural dynamics of globalisation, of its difficulties and problems related to the global crisis.

For this reason, these scientific sectors will be fundamental for the preparation of the student:

• European Union Law (IUS / 14);
• the Legal-normative evolution of groups and minorities (IUS / 21);
• the Geopolitics (MGGR-02);
• International Economics (SECS-P / 01);
• Sociology of Economic and Labor Processes (SPS / 09);
• International Relations (SPS / 06).

At the end of the course, the students can pursue a diplomatic career or work in public and private sector, at a local, national or international level, as well as in non-governmental and third sector organisations, humanitarian associations, political parties, trade unions.

Online degree

The MA degree in International Relations (online) is designed for those who are unable to attend a traditional education programme due to distance or professional commitments.
Through Unicusano e-learning platform, it is possible to attend the International Relations degree classes online, to study using computer storage media at home, at your own pace and take the exam at the nearest exam centre. Thanks to the teaching quality and to the broad number of authorised exams centres spread across Italy, Unicusano is today the best choice for students willing to earn an online degree in International Relations.

Job profile. Expert in international field

Possible job roles:

The graduate can work as

• expert in diplomatic and international matters;
• official in the public administration;
• manager in public or private bodies at national or international level;
• consultant in multinational companies or in banking or insurance groups and in service organisations.

Acquired competences

The graduate in International Relations acquires the following skills:

• analyse the national and international situation;
• design and apply qualitative-quantitative methodologies for the management of complex situations;
• carry out consultancy activities in the economic and social sectors, including labor consultancy;
• coordinate activities of relations with the public;
• carry out sectoral research in the statistical, economic and social fields.

Career opportunities

• members of government bodies and national assemblies with legislative and regulatory powers;
• ambassadors, plenipotentiaries and other careers in the diplomatic service;
• party secretaries and heads of political movements;
• trade union secretaries and directors of other economic and social welfare organisations;
• heads of humanitarian, cultural, scientific or sports associations at a national and international level;
• managers and executives of service industries.

A Master’s degree in International Relations prepares students to the following careers (ISTAT DATA):

1. Management in the Public Administration – (2.5.1.1.1);
2. Experts in the study, management and control of social phenomena – (2.5.3.2.1);
3. Specialists in political science – (2.5.3.4.3).

Entry requirements

Master’s degree requires applicants to have a bachelor degree in a relevant subject (L-36 class). International applicants should hold an overseas qualification of a similar standard, from a recognised higher education institution.
In general, enrollment requires student to possess:

• at least 8 credits in the scientific sectors SECS-P/01 or SSD SECS-P/02;
• at least 8 credits in the scientific sectors SPS-P/02 or SPS/01;
• at least 8 credits in the scientific sector IUS/09;
• at least 8 credits in the scientific sector SPS/07;
• at least 8 credits in the scientific sector M-STO/04;
• at least 8 credits in the scientific sector SPS/06;
• at least 8 credits in the scientific sector L-LIN/12.

In order to access the Master’s degree in International Relations a good knowledge of English language (B2 level) is required
Any curricular supplements in terms of the CFU/ECTs must be acquired before enrollment.
The procedures for admission are established by the Regulations of the degree course in Political Science.

Entry requirements

The University research system has among its primary objectives both to allow students to complete the university course within the deadlines set by the legal duration and to allow graduate students to exercise their chosen profession as soon as possible. To achieve these objectives, it is also necessary that the initial knowledge of students enrolling at the university are that provided by the individual Didactic Regulations of the Study Courses

If the three-year undergraduate degree that does not guarantee direct access to the Master’s Degree Program in Political Sciences, the possession of specific CFUs must be verified.

In the case of evidence of non-possession of all the CFU required by the Teaching Regulations of the Master’s Degree Program, the applicant must complete a curricular integration, up to the completion of the CFUs envisaged. The personal preparation is verified through a test on historical-political issues

Educational aims and course plan outline

The Master’s degree in International Relations (LM-52) provides students with professional skills. In particular, during the first year students acquire a deep knowledge in economic areas in an international dimension. During the second year, the study of history and juridical aspects in Europe are fundamental. The educational objectives of the degree are:

• to provide analytical tools and good knowledge to correctly assess and analyse contemporary society, with particular attention to human rights and democratisation processes;
• to provide methodologies and tools for comparative analysis of the dynamics of structural change processes, such as globalisation and its crisis.

As well as on-line lessons, handouts, slides, in-progress learning checks, lectures and seminars in virtual classrooms, students have the possibility to use different interactive teaching activities, such as forum and reports and e-tivities, in order to discuss and compare their preparation. Students assessment take place through oral and written examinations.

Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and comprehension skills

The course provides students with methodologies and cognitive tools for an accurate examination of the evolution of modern society and the dynamics of globalisation and its problems, and also difficulties arising from the global economic crisis. Particular attention is paid to international law, to the democratisation process and the development of international rules of law, to sociological aspects, and to international cooperation and decision-making processes.

Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension skills

Graduates in Political Sciences obtain the necessary skills to critically address the various problems in the various fields at national and international level. With both theoretical and applicative repercussions, and adopting the comparative and interdisciplinary method typical of political studies (in the legal, historical, social, geographical), students are provided with the skills to apply the knowledge that will allow them to work with competence and ability to understanding of complex problems in the various working environments to which training is aimed.

Graduates must be able to use different sources, institutional or other, to operate at a technical-professional level as experts in specific areas of public policies and organizational analysis of complex systems, as well as to participate in the implementation and monitoring of international and supranational programs. The acquisition of application knowledge will be stimulated through the critical and selective use of legal, historical, economic and social sources and training in data collection through the tools of field research. The verifications of the expected results take the form of oral and / or written exams, group work, exercises, drafting of reports and papers on specific topics.

Making judgements

Graduates can demonstrate the ability to use the knowledge acquired both in a multidisciplinary and critical way.
This is one of the aims of the course, along with the critical analysis of bibliographic sources and documents, their organisation and their evaluation is one of the methodological bases for the development of thesis, papers and researches.

Communication skills

During the Master’s degree, students learn how to clearly communicate information in different situations: papers, report, communication with professors and among colleagues.
A knowledge of scientific and technical language will be acquired, in order to develop and coherently explain ideas and thoughts in academic articles and essays.
The graduate will be able to fluently convey information both in Italian and in English language.

Learning skills

Graduates learn a general methodology that can also be applied in other fields. The specificity of the topics covered during the two-year course allows them to understand legal, juridical, historical, social, geographical, political and economic issues thanks to the foreign languages ​​studied during the courses. Students will assess their skills through texts and exams.
Furthermore, at the end of the course, graduates can also decide to continue their academic career.

Final exam

The final thesis will be discussed in front of a Commission nominated by the Academic Authority and could also be discussed in a foreign language.
The topic must be chosen along with a professor and the result must be an interdisciplinary monographic research, carried out in an original way, articulated and accompanied by notes and an accurate and complete bibliography.
The vote will be expressed in 110 with possible honors and the value in credit is 16.