The Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) program is a one-year, 36-credit master’s degree exploring the complex web of power, influence, and cooperation among the diverse actors that shape global affairs, with a particular focus on the countries and societies of the Mediterranean Basin: Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Our MAIR program builds on the historic academic tradition of The Institute for American Universities (IAU)—ACM’s study abroad institute—as one of the first American programs abroad to prepare students for careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service or in international business.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In keeping with this tradition, ACM’S mission is to prepare students for a globalized world in which political, economic, and technological shifts are constantly reshaping career landscapes. We do this through a robust program combining theoretical foundations with dedicated courses in essential professional skills—research and writing, negotiation, language proficiency, and intercultural communication. Our emphasis on experiential learning—including presentations, debates, simulations, and field study excursions—offers students hands-on contexts that bridge academic analysis with professional practice.
Beyond the core requirements, MAIR students can customize their degree through our flexible capstone approach, elective courses, internships, and the option of completing a portion of the degree at our Madrid campus. Our extensive network of partner universities, think tanks, NGOs, and regional experts provides access to vast expertise and resources as students chart their career paths.
The MAIR program offers two distinct tracks:
Research Track
This track involves a project building on prior course work and additional research leading to either a traditional Masters’ Thesis (up to 15,000 words) or another research-based project to be designed in collaboration with the capstone advisor. Such a project may involve producing a documentary film, creating a series of podcasts, conducting and analyzing a collection of interviews, or organizing a community project. The Research Capstone includes an oral defense.
Policy and Practice Track
This track is designed for those students who hope to find hands-on work in a field related to international relations and look to develop practical skills via an internship or consultancy project. Internships (120 hours minimum) will then culminate in either a policy paper or consultancy report arising out of their experiences during the internship. Although ACM guides and supports students in this process, each student is responsible for applying and interviewing for internships. Students will receive three credits for their internship, submitting regular reports to their advisors with a final deliverable due at the end of the internship.
ADMISSIONS
At ACM, we are committed to providing a seamless admissions experience for aspiring students of our graduate program. We encourage applicants to showcase their unique backgrounds and aspirations, as we value diversity and innovation in our academic community. Please refer to the application timeline below, and head to our graduate admissions page for more information.
Aug. 3, 2026
Application Available
Jan. 6, 2027
Priority Decision Deadline
May 5, 2027
Regular Decision Deadline
ACADEMICS
Program Objectives & Learning Outcomes
The ACM MAIR program will empower students to:
Develop advanced research, writing, and negotiation skills required to conduct rigorous scholarly inquiry in international relations and effectively communicate findings
Assess the institutions and functions of the contemporary international order and identify key challenges
Critically examine the power dynamics of the Euro-Mediterranean region and how they intersect with broader global relations
Synthesize theoretical and practical knowledge of international relations into informed, well-reasoned, and contextually appropriate policy recommendations
Cultivate a cosmopolitan approach to evaluating international affairs that demonstrates an appreciation of diverse national, cultural, theoretical, and ethical perspectives on global challenges
Demonstrate sophisticated analytical skills in evaluating complex global issues in their political, economic, geographic, and cultural dimensions
International Field Studies and Research
A defining characteristic of ACM programs is the synthesis of academic and experiential learning. MAIR candidates will have the chance to conduct field study and short-term research in other cities in the region such as Brussels, Geneva, Paris, the Hague, Madrid, Rabat, and Tangier. Through ACM’s network of international scholars, activists, journalists, and politicians, students will have opportunities to interact with international organizations such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, the UN High Commission for Human Rights, the World Trade Organization, NATO, and various consulates and embassies in Europe and North Africa. Students may also have opportunity to pursue internships or externships with various international institutions and NGOs.
Language and Culture
All students admitted into the program will be required to take French language and culture courses in the Fall and Spring semesters of the program. If admitted students are Francophone speakers with high proficiency, they may fulfill the language requirement in Arabic.
Degree Requirements
The MAIR is a 36 credit, one-year program consisting of four required core courses (12 credits), two language courses (6 credits), four electives in International Relations or related fields (12 credits), an intersession traveling seminar (3 credits), and finally a Capstone Project (3 credits) submitted no later than July 31st for successful completion of the program.
All students follow our core curriculum, which includes:
- IRL 504: Theories of International Relations
- POL 510: Comparative Politics
- IRL 500: Research Methods for International Relations
- BUS/IRL 537: International Negotiations
Program Structure
In Fall students follow a set core curriculum. These courses are largely skills-focused, building the foundation for more advanced coursework and preparing students for careers in international affairs, diplomacy, policy, and law. Courses include Comparative Politics, Theories of International Relations, Research Methods, and International Negotiations, as well as a language or culture course (French or Arabic).
MAIR students will hone their core curriculum skill set on one of our January term programs. These multi-country traveling seminars help students explore the politics, economies, histories, and cultures of the countries visited, including Spain, Morocco, and The Netherlands.:
- Diplomacy and Human Rights – France, the Netherlands, Morocco, Spain
- Europe and the Islamic World – France, Morocco, Spain
In Spring our students customize their experience by choosing four elective courses aligned with their interests. This may be a disparate selection of topics or reflect a clearer focus such as the European Union, Conflict and Justice, or Geopolitics of the Mediterranean. Students will also continue with a language/culture course. We also offer our students the option of continuing their studies at our Madrid campus.
The program concludes with a Capstone project selected by the student with guidance from their faculty advisor. Students may choose to write a traditional masters’ thesis exploring a topic in international relations or pursue an internship with an NGO, embassy, government office, think tank, or business working on international relations issues in the region or elsewhere.
Internship
At the end of the spring semester, ACM will help students secure an internship in a government or non-government organization, or international business in the region or elsewhere. The ACM local contact network includes places such as the US Consulate General in Marseille, City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, l’Office du Tourisme, Maritime Organizations in Marseille, the International Red Cross, crisis relief agencies for immigrants, and many others. Although ACM guides and supports students in this process, each student is responsible for applying and interviewing for internships. Students will receive three credits for their internship, submitting regular reports to their advisors with a final report in July.
J-TERM
January Term (J-Term) at the American College of the Mediterranean takes place between the fall and spring semesters and offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in an intensive 2-3 week traveling seminar with hands-on learning experiences and cultural excursions that complement their studies. To satisfy their J-Term program requirement, MAIR students must enroll in the following J-Term program:
Diplomacy and Human Rights in the Mediterranean
The Diplomacy and Human Rights in the Mediterranean January Term (J-Term) Traveling Seminar is a hands-on field study course designed to help students explore the economic, political, legal, and moral challenges of international human rights promotion:
- Visit embassies to speak with diplomats to explore the role of foreign policy
- Meet refugees to understand the extraordinary challenges of displacement and exile
- Briefings by NGOs and witness the projects they put in place to help their communities
- Engage with activists, scholars, and journalists to appreciate how human rights discourse can shape, or stifle, debate on key issues of the day like migration and rule of law
- Visit the international courts – the ICC and the ICJ – and learn from legal experts about the role of international justice in protecting human rights, how the mechanisms of international law function, and why they are now under threat
- Gain a greater understanding of political and social challenges beyond our borders and learn to evaluate them within their historical, geographical, and cultural contexts
- Explore and appreciate the diverse cultures of the countries in which we travel – sample tapas in Barcelona, haggle in the souks of Morrocco, cruise the canals of Amsterdam, visit historical sites and museums, eat at local restaurants, and meet local residents
TUITION AND AID
We strive to make education accessible and affordable for all students. Our Tuition and Aid section provides comprehensive information on the costs associated with your education, including tuition rates, fees, and available financial aid options. We offer a variety of scholarships and grants to help alleviate the financial burden, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. For detailed information on tuition rates and financial aid applications, please visit our dedicated resources page.
|
MAIR 2026-2027 |
Fall 12-18 Units |
Spring 12-18 Units |
Summer 6-Units |
Academic Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $16,500 | $16,500 | $8,200 | $41,200 |
| Student Life Fees | $2,500 | $2,500 | $1,400 | $6,400 |
| Housing | $5,500 | $5,500 | $2,300 | $13,300 |
| Total | $24,500 | $24,500 | $11,900 | $60,900 |
SCHOLARSHIPS
The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM) offers several scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities to its students each year. ACM strives to keep its published costs low, especially in comparison to many U.S.-based degree-granting institutions. Additional funding is provided for those who qualify for merit, diversity, and need-based awards.
If you are planning to apply for aid, you will need to submit the required materials along with your program application, as ACM reviews both simultaneously on a rolling admissions basis. To be eligible for ACM scholarships and grants, students must be enrolled full-time and abide by all ACM policies and regulations as stated on the policies page. Please contact admissions@acmfrance.org with any questions.
HOUSING
Students in the MAIR program can choose to live in program housing or non-program housing for the duration of their program. However, all recipients of Partner Pathway, Graduate Fellowship or Presidential Scholarships must live in program housing for the duration of their academic program.
CAREER PATHS
Our graduates are equipped with both the factual background and the practical skill set they will need to succeed in competitive professional environments. Our focus on experiential learning means that our graduates have real world experience of the issues and actors that shape global affairs as well as the cultural exposure and sensitivity required to thrive in diverse international contexts whether at home or abroad. Our MAIR alumni have gone on to pursue successful careers in diplomacy, law, business, politics, activism, and journalism.
FACULTY
ACM faculty is comprised of experts in the field of international relations, diplomacy, conflict analysis and resolution, environmental policy, and Mediterranean and European Studies. Both academics and professionals in their field, ACM faculty provide our MAIR program with the academic depth and the real-life experience necessary for a well-rounded international relations education.