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    Mar 29, 2024  
American University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
American University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

International Service (MIS): Executive Track


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Offered by the School of International Service , the Master of International Service (MIS) is specifically designed for those with significant experience in international affairs or for those completing, or having recently completed (within three years), a master’s level program in international affairs or related field from an approved institutional partner. The program’s one year intensive period of study is complemented by opportunities for participating in an array of public dialogue and ongoing research programs.

The Master of International Service Executive Track is designed for students who have significant professional experience. For the on campus option, students should have at least seven years of professional experience; for the online option, students should have at least nine years of relevant professional experience.

Admission to the Program


Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least B+ (3.30 or higher on a 4.00 scale). Students who do not meet these minimum requirements, if otherwise admissible, may be assigned additional coursework in excess of degree requirements specified at the time of admission.

Admitted students may defer matriculation for no more than two semesters provided that a written request for deferment is submitted to and approved by the SIS Graduate Admissions Office.

All applicants whose native language is English or those whose degrees are from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English are required to submit results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This requirement may be waived. Non-native English speakers are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they hold a degree from a U.S.-accredited institution before enrollment at SIS. The minimum TOEFL score for full admissions consideration is 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT) or 600 on the paper-based test (PBT). The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Applicants should plan to take the TOEFL prior to December to ensure full consideration of the application for the following fall semester.

All applicants are required to submit official transcripts and translations from their undergraduate institutions and two letters of reference evaluating their suitability for the program in international service. Finally, applicants must submit an essay outlining their motivation for graduate study. The essay should also contain a brief description of their intended program of study.

Students applying for the Executive Track should have significant professional experience. For the on-campus option, students should have at least seven years of relevant experience; and for the online option, students should have at least nine years of of relevant professional experience. An online option is only available for the Executive Track. For more information, please see http://www.american.edu/sis/mis/.

Degree Requirements


  • 30 credit hours of approved graduate coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00, including 18 credit hours in residence.
    • Students with significant prior international professional experience in international affairs may apply for advanced standing of up to 6 credit hours upon application to the program. Students seeking to use the significant professional experience clause are limited to a total of 6 credit hours, including any transfer credit.
  • Capstone experience: one of the following:

Course Requirements


Economics (3 credit hours)


Complete one course from the following:

Concentration (15 credit hours)


  • 15 credit hours of graduate coursework from an approved concentration; up to 6 credit hours of advanced standing may be applied to the concentration.

Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)


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