Bachelor of Arts & Master of Arts (BA/MA)

The combined BA/MA program allows qualified students to pass directly from the BA in International Studies to the MA in International Studies and Diplomacy. Students on this track will complete a smaller number of credits while earning both degrees. Students in the combined program will be exempted from the undergraduate Senior Capstone (SSC 4302), and from the graduate Internship. The total number of credits in the combined BA/MA program is 171 SCH.

Admission Requirements

Application to the combined BA/MA program is open to undergraduate students who:
1. have completed 60 SCH
2. have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Qualified undergraduate students need to declare their intent to pursue the combined program. In order to remain in the combined BA/MA program, admitted students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students who fail to do so will be put on academic probation for one semester. Should the GPA continue to be below 3.0 at the end of the semester of probation, the student will be dropped from the program and will pursue the regular BA program in International Studies. The student may then be admitted to the MA program through the regular procedure.

Two diplomas (BA and MA) will be issued to students upon graduation from the combined program. Students who drop out of the combined program will be granted the BA degree upon completion of requirements of the BA degree, including the Senior Capstone.

Combined Program Requirements

Students in the combined program will complete all the Foundation requirements of the MAISD program during their BAIS. They will be exempt from the BA Senior Capstone course (SSC 4302). They will be required to do the undergraduate internship (INT 4300) according to the regular BA program, but will be exempted from the internship at the graduate level.

Once they have completed the BA component of the combined program, students should be able to complete the MA coursework in three semesters.

Students in the combined program take the following MAISD Core courses (18 SCH):

• HUM 5322 Critical Writing and Communication
• SSC 5302 Research Methodology
• INS 5304 Moroccan Foreign Policy
• INS 5303 Advanced International Relations Theory
• INS 5302 World Issues Seminar
• INS 5391 Thesis Seminar

Students also take:

• Two optional courses in International Relations (6 SCH)
• Three courses in an area concentration of their choice: European Studies, North African and Middle East Studies, or American Studies (9 SCH).
• Qualifying Exam (non-credit).
• Thesis Prospectus (non-credit)