Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 1 Years / 2 Years
- Attendance:
- Full Time / Part Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Face-to-Face
- Next Intake:
- 2023/2024 September
- Contact Name:
- Catherine Carey
- Contact Number:
- +353(0)1 716 1560
- Fees:
- Fee Information
The United States arguably remains the most influential country in the world. Whether you look at climate change, the covid-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine, decisions taken in Washington DC have an impact on the rest of the world. However, a number of challenges in recent years have called into question the sustainability of American leadership abroad and prosperity at home. This includes, but is not limited to, the notion of American decline in relation to rising powers such as China and resurging ones like Russia, a political system that appears to have entered an extended period of dysfunction, recurring problems in race relations, and rising economic inequality.
This MA, the first of its kind to be established in Europe or North America, allows students to gain a sophisticated understanding of the United States, its foreign relations, and domestic politics.
This MA is designed for those people planning, or already engaged in, a career in the diplomatic service, journalism, international organizations, or non-governmental organizations. This Masters will also prepare you for a career in politics, political risk analysis, academia, and think tanks.
Curricular information is subject to change
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No
This MA is designed for those people planning, or already engaged in, a career in the diplomatic service, journalism, international organizations, or non-governmental organizations. This Masters will also prepare you for a career in politics, political risk analysis, academia, and think tanks.
This MA explores both US foreign policy and domestic politics.
During the year you will study US relations with key regions of the world. You will also discuss topical issues such as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, the global economy, and climate changed to name a few. You will also gain an extensive knowledge of the impact of emerging technologies, such as cyber, on international relations and the US place in the world.
Race, gender, elections, and political polarization in the United States will also be addressed.
This is an academic programme but is also suited to practitioners/professionals in a related field who wish to gain a broader understanding of processes, policies, and outcomes in the area of American politics and foreign policy, both domestically and within the context of international affairs.
We value and therefore encourage our students to be active, motivated, autonomous learners who have a critical and reflective approach to the subject. We aim to provide a learning environment that will encourage students to think critically about policy and the ideas that shape it, both individually and as part of a group.
As a result of this approach to learning, the programme uses teaching, learning, and assessment approaches such as the drafting of policy memoranda, one-on-one advising, small group activities, presentations, seminar discussions, policy analysis, and internships.
The programme is composed of 90 credits, 60 of which come from weekly small class seminars and the remaining 30 from a dissertation. Students take 50 credits of core modules taught at the UCD Clinton Institute and the remaining credits are taken from a list of optional modules from other programmes. Students are taught in small group seminars on a weekly basis.
Compulsory modules include, but may vary from year to year:
Students are also required to complete a thesis of approximately 12,000 words.
MA American Politics & Foreign Policy (Z234) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 8650
nonEU fee per year - € 21520
MA American Politics & Foreign Policy (Z235) Part Time
nonEU fee per year - € 10760
EU fee per year - € 5200
***Fees are subject to change
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised