UNBC’s innovative and interdisciplinary Master’s degree in International Studies focuses on two of the most pressing and interlinked issues of our time: Global Development and Environment. The program draws on courses from 11 different graduate programs and is managed jointly by the Department of Economics and the Department of Global and International Studies.

Broadly understood as processes that affect people(s), regions and/or countries in the Global South and northern areas including the Arctic, global development is examined from multiple perspectives. These perspectives include those of international agencies and civil society organizations. Both mainstream and critical approaches to development studies are examined. The challenges facing the global environment and potential solutions are analysed. Interactions between global development and the environment and between local and global scales are examined.

Financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships is available to some full-time students, in accordance with University regulations.

Requirements

All students are normally admitted into a course-based program. Students wishing to transfer to a thesis- or a research paper-based program may apply to do so after completing 12 credit hours and in accordance with program rules.

Students are required to take courses which satisfy requirements in (i) global development; (ii) research methods; (iii) global environment; and (v) two elective courses. Courses may be taken in any order.

INTS MA Course Planning Form

Stage 1. Foundational Coursework Program (16 credit hours)

A. Required Courses

Global Development: Theory and Institutions

One of:

Global Environment: Policies and Practices

Research Methods

Colloquia

*All students must complete Graduate Colloquia INTS 702.05 twice during their program of study.

B. Electives:

Two of:

Additional courses from the Global Development and Global Environment options can also be selected as electives.

Stage 2. Program Completion (9 - 12 credit hours)

After completing Stage 1, The Foundational Coursework Program, students then complete one of the following:

i)  a course-based program requiring 9 credit hours of further graduate coursework. Students in the course-based program must complete at least 6 credit hours of coursework from the Global Development options, 6 credit hours from the Global Environment options, and have courses from at least three different subject areas.

ii)  a research paper-based program requiring 6 credit hours of further graduate coursework from all courses listed above (at least 3 credit hours of which must be from the Global Development or Global Environment options) and a 3 credit hour Research Paper (INTS 797-3). Students must apply to the Graduate Advisor for transfer into the research-paper program after completing Stage 1 Foundational Coursework. Transfer will be approved by the Chair on the basis of academic achievement in coursework and the availability of a supervisor for the Research Paper

iii) a thesis-based program requiring a 12 credit hour thesis (INTS 799-12). Students must apply to the Graduate Advisor for transfer into the thesis program after completing Stage 1 Foundational Coursework. Transfer will be granted on the basis of academic excellence in coursework and the availability of a supervisor for the thesis.

NOTE:  All course selections (and course substitutions) require Chair approval.