Graduate School and Careers in
International Studies
Is Graduate School right for me?
• Competitiveness with a graduate degree
• Earnings potential
• Narrower field of specialization than
undergraduate study
• Write out a list of individual pros and cons
and short-term and long-term goals
What can I do to prepare for graduate
school in International Studies?
• Internships
• International experience
• Study abroad
• Language
• GPA
• GRE
Should I apply to a Master’s or a PhD
program?
• Acceptance into a doctoral program may
require very specific research/thesis goals
• Completion of a master's program may
enable you to be accepted into a doctoral
program in an area that differs from your
undergraduate study
• A terminal master's program may be all
that you need to achieve your career goals
Should I go to graduate school right after
graduation or postpone?
You should postpone if…
• You are unsure about what you
want to study
• You are being pressured to go to
graduate school
• You are going because you don't
know what else to do
Is an International Studies program right
for me?
• Yes, if you hope to gain broad-
based knowledge about
international issues
• No, if you want to pursue a
specific subject matter and
develop an expertise in that area
Which program or school is right for me?
• What specializations are available?
• Do the faculty have expertise in the areas
in which I am interested?
• Does the program have options for parttime students? (Night classes, etc.)
In addition, you should consider:
• Academic quality
• Admission
requirements
• Degree requirements
• Core courses offered
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Location
Campus Size
Program cost
Student/Faculty Ratio
What career options are available after
graduation?
• Government
• Peace Corps Recruitment or Desk Officer
• Foreign Service Officer or General Services Officer US Department of State
• Export Assistance Center, US Department of Commerce
• Legislative Assistant to US Congress or Senate
• Central Intelligence Agency
• Military service
Non-profit and Non-Governmental
Organizations
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Program Assistant
Program Director
Program Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator
Program Manager
International Business
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Human Resources
Marketing
Corporate Social Responsibility
Contracts
Computer Technology
International Operations
International Program Administration
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Study Abroad Regional Coordinator
Study Abroad Asst. Director of Operations
Global Perspectives Certificate Coordinator
International Student Adviser
International Student Program Coordinator
International Scholar Adviser
Immigration and Admissions Specialist
Where can I go to learn more?
• For general information about international
studies programs, visit the Association of
Professional Schools of International Affairs at
www.apsia.org
• For specific information about NC State, visit
http://mis.chass.ncsu.edu