Global Governance - Master of Arts (MA)

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Hagey Hall Hub located on Waterloo's main campus

The world faces increasingly complex problems that have taken on global significance, including conflict and peace-building, humanitarian crises and intervention, international economic inequality and instability, and global environmental change.

Learn to address these problems through an interdisciplinary approach with the Master of Arts in Global Governance program.  

The program goes beyond the rigidities and formalities of established academic boundaries by drawing on a variety of disciplines, including economics, politics, history, sociology and environmental studies. Designed to be completed in sixteen months of full-time study, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge and analysis experience through coursework and a Master’s Research Paper, while getting real-world hands-on experience through an internship in the public or private sector, a research institute or NGO.  

You’ll be prepared to pursue further scholarly work at the PhD level or start a career in this rapidly growing field in nation-state governments, international organizations, the non-governmental sector, or the private sector.

Research areas and degree options

  • Conflict and Security
  • Global Environment
  • Global Justice and Human Rights
  • Global Political Economy
  • Global Social Governance
  • Multilateral Institutions and Diplomacy
  • Peace Integration

Program overview

Department/School: Balsillie School of International Affairs
Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Environment
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 16 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Master's Research Paper

Application deadlines

  •  January 22 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Rachael Gergely
rgergely@uwaterloo.ca

Admission limitations

Due to funding restrictions, the Faculty of Arts is currently limiting the number of international students we can admit. Please contact the department's Associate Chair, Graduate Studies prior to applying to discuss your interest in this program.

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • Successful completion of an Honours Degree in Political Science, Economics, History or a related field (including international, environmental or global studies undergraduate degrees) with an overall average of at least 78% in the final 20 courses.
  • Successful completion of at least one introductory course in economics at the university level before commencing the program.
  • Experienced professionals in the private or public sectors will be considered for admission, but additional course work may be required.

Degree requirements

  • Review the degree requirements on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree

Application materials

  • Resume
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
  • Writing sample
  • References
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees