Program Goals & Learning Outcome Graduate Education University Catalogue
The Global & Area Studies Program at the University of Wyoming offers students the opportunity to obtain a Master's Degree that is tailored to a student's interests in global issues. As a small-scale, interdisciplinary program, international studies allows students to work closely with faculty members from diverse backgrounds and areas of study: globalization, environmental policy, national security issues, NGO administration, among many others. Students may also gain experience through teaching and internship activities.
International studies offers a Traditional Master's Degree that combines coursework and a thesis project. The Masters International Peace Corps Degree is an alternative to the traditional degree and combines coursework, two journal-length papers, including an applied research project, and Peace Corps service. Both degrees offer the option of a concurrent major in Environment and Natural Resources which allows students to learn and practice innovative approaches to natural resource management issues from a global perspective.
The MA program for all students shares some common elements that help to promote a timely completion of the degree.
Students can choose between a Traditional Masters Degree (thesis) or the Masters International Peace Corps Degree.
Students choosing the traditional Masters degree track must complete a minimum of 26 hours of graded, non-thesis coursework and 4 hours of thesis research. Students must meet three basic requirements:
Area of Concentration
Students work with an advisor to develop a course of study for the additional
20 hours of coursework in an area of focus based on personal interests and
career plans.
Thesis Work
Students must pass an oral examination at the completion of their program.
Normally, an oral examination will center on the thesis, but may also encompass
coursework of the candidate.
Students choosing the Masters International Peace Corps track must complete a minimum of 24 hours and 6 hours of internship credit for the 27-month Peace Corps service. (Note: Students simultaneously must apply to the Peace Corps as part of the application process!). Students must meet three basic requirements:
Students must choose between one of the following three areas of concentration:
The non-governmental organization (NGO) administration concentration is intended for Master's International-Peace Corps students who would like a volunteer placement that involves working with NGOs. The curriculum in NGO administration provides a basic foundation in public administration with an emphasis on the relationships, challenges and opportunities that shape the work of civil society organizations. This foundation is combined with courses that address broader issues encountered in NGO administration such as human rights, environmental protection, gender issues, and conflict reconciliation.
Recommended Core Classes
POLS 4710 Topics - Introduction to Non-profit Sector (fall semester); Non-profit Management and Leadership (spring semester).
POLS 5000 - Survey of Public Administration
Electives
POLS 5440 - Principles and Processes of Public Budgeting
POLS 5480 - Ethics in Government
POLS 5540 - Public Policy Perspectives
BUSN 5500 - Professional Managerial Skills
Students also have the option of developing another concentration based on personal interests, although this may be limited by the availability of course offerings.
Writing Requirement
Prior to entering the Peace Corps, students are required to write a critical
paper associated with the locale of their anticipated Peace Corps service. After
serving in the Peace Corps, students are required to write an analytical paper
based on their Peace Corps service. The paper will be guided by the student's
graduate committee and is due no later than six months following the completion
of Peace Corps service.
Masters International Peace Corps Website
Master's International-Peace Corps students who would like a volunteer placement that involves working with farmers and other peasant producers may want to consider taking courses in agriculture. The curriculum for the concentration in agriculture is intended to give the student a general understanding of the issues facing agrarian-based communities. The focus of the curriculum is on economic development and natural resource management issues. There is some specific training in the principles and business methods of farm and ranch management, however students coming into the graduate program with a strong background in agriculture may choose courses in other areas, e.g. rangeland ecology or plant science.
Recommended Core Courses
AGEC 4640 - Advanced Farm and Ranch
Management
AECL 4020/5020 - Alternative Agriculture (offered in the Spring)
AGEC 5660 - Community Economic Development Electives
Recommended Electives
AGEC 4460 - Agriculture and Economic
Development
AGEC 4720 - Water Resource Economics
AGEC 4840 - Agricultural
Market Analysis
AGEC 5600 - Community Economic Analysis
The Master's program in international studies and environment and natural resources (ENR) allows students to learn about and practice innovative approaches to environmental and natural resource management issues from a global perspective. Students must take 26 hours of coursework and 4 hours thesis credit.
Required Courses (12 hours)
6 hours from international studies theory and research methods coursework - INST 5200 Graduate Proseminar in International Studies & INST 5400 International Social Science Research Methods;
ENR 5000 - Approaches to Environmental and Natural Resource Problem-Solving;
ENR 5900 - Environment and Natural Resources Assessment Practice.
Electives (14 hours)
Students
must complete an additional 14 hours of coursework from a three
different subfields: Policy, Economics, and Law; Science and
Engineering; Human Dimensions; Quantitative/Qualitative Methods.
Students will work with an advisor in both internationals studies and
enr to determine the courses that will best fit with their program of
study.
We hope you'll consider the University of Wyoming for your graduate career. All inquiries should be directed to Dr. Adam Henne, Graduate Program Director, 307-766-4188, or Carlinda Asay, Program Coordinator.
