ObjectivesDeakin's Master of Arts (International Relations) aims to produce graduates who are able to demonstrate high-level skills of theoretical and empirical analysis and interpretation of global issues and events. In addition the course will give you a substantial understanding of the complexities of contemporary international relations. The program is designed for those working in areas such as the public service, private sector corporations, small businesses and non-government organisations who want to develop systematic understanding of the international forces shaping their environment, and enhance their skills in analysis and interpretation. The program provides the opportunity to examine key issues of both historical and contemporary issues as well as developments in world politics. Students develop skills in policy analysis, systematic understanding of the threats to peace and security, and global forces shaping political, social and economic life. Specialisations are available in Asia-Pacific Regional Politics, Conflict and Security, International History and Human Rights and International Law. Links with other social science and humanities studies at Deakin offer relevant electives to augment specialisations, such as genocide history, gender and development, and global media units. The program also offers optional postgraduate internships, allowing you an opportunity to gain experience overseas.
Entry requirementsTo be eligible for admission into the Master of Arts (International Relations), applicants require a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution or equivalent: * a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or * qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Academic titleMaster of Arts (International Relations)
Course descriptionFees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Fee paying place - Domestic (DFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fee paying places are available to domestic students. Domestic students are those who are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of a permanent visa.
*Indicative course fees should be used as a guide only. Deakin University assumes no responsibility for persons relying on indicative course fees to calculate the total future cost of their course. The indicative course fee is an estimate based on a typical enrolment a student may have for their first year of study in 2009 for their course. The indicative course fee is based on historical first year enrolments within the course, reflecting the discipline cluster of the units which may be studied within the course. The actual fees charged will depend on the individual units chosen. The cost of each unit can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php. Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and services.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities for international relations graduates exist in all levels of government, private sector corporations and small business, non-government organisations, the media, consultancy, the defence forces, foreign affairs departments, immigration departments, management consultancies, multicultural associations, education, health, politics and research.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Master of Arts (International Relations), a student must successfully complete 12 credit points of study comprising:
* 2 credit points of compulsory core units; and
* 10 credit points of electives selected from the specified list of units listed below
A 2-credit-point research project (10 000 words) is an option in the final trimester of study for those students with a credit or higher average in their coursework units.
Specialisations
Asia-Pacific Regional Politics
Conflict and Security
Human Rights and International Law
International History
Note: not all units in these specialisations are offered at Melbourne campus at Burwood or off campus.
Course structure
Core units
Trimester 1
AIR747 Contemporary International Politics
Trimester 2
AIR742 Theories of International Relations
Electives from International Relations
Trimester 1
AIR716 Gender, War and Peace
AIR719 The United Nations and International Law
AIR726 Human Rights in the International System
AIR728 International Political Economy
AIR732 Terrorism in International Politics
AIR750 European Security Issues
Trimester 2
AIR702 Strategic Issues in South Asia
AIR706 Political Economy of the Asia Pacific **
AIR707 Global Governance
AIR729 Refugees in Global Politics
AIR745 International Relations of the Middle East
AIR748 Contemporary Security and Strategy
AIR749 Security in the Asia-Pacific Region
AIR751 International Humanitarian Law
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
AIR718 Research Project (International Relations) (2 credit points)
AIR752 International Relations Dissertation (4 credit points)
AIR780 Research Project (International Relations) A
AIR781 Research Project (International Relations) B
AIR782 International Relations Dissertation A (2 credit points)
AIR783 International Relations Dissertation B (2 credit points)
Trimester 2 or trimester 3
AIR712 Australia in the World
Trimester 1, trimester 2 or trimester 3
AIR790 International Relations Internship (2 credit points) *
AIR791 International Relations Internship (4 credit points) *
* Students must seek advice about internship procedures from the Unit Chair prior to enrolling in this unit.
** Not offered until 2010
Additional elective units
ACM701 Global Media and War
AID742 Political Development in South East Asia
AIH701 After the Vietnam War
AIH753 Genocide
AIH759 The Cold War: An International History
AIH760 The Contemporary South Pacific: Governance and Crisis
AIP776 Contemporary Perspectives on European Integration
ALC705 Organisational Communication: Culture, Diversity, Technology and Change
ALC706 Culture, Communication and Globalisation: Critical Practices in/and Local Cultures
MPE707 International Banking and Finance
MPE711 Global Trade and Markets
MPE781 Economics for Managers
MPM735 International Business Management
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide
Admission requirements - specific
To be eligible for admission into the Master of Arts (International Relations), applicants require a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution or equivalent:
* a bachelor degree from an approved tertiary institution; or
* qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
Applications for advanced standing will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student's prior qualifications and professional experience.
The Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and the Masters course in International Relations comprise a suite of fully articulated courses. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of International Relations will lead to admission into either the Graduate Diploma of International Relations or the Master of Arts (International Relations) with up to 4 credit points of advanced standing. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of International Relations will lead to admission into the Master of Arts (International Relations) with up to 8 credit points of advanced standing. For the masters degree, honours graduates may be awarded up to 8 credit points of advanced standing.
A special entry category exists for serving Australian Defence Force officers who hold a general degree and who have also passed the Australian Command and Staff College and the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies or their antecedents.