Welcome to the International Relations (MAIR) Homepage.
Originally designed to provide military personnel stationed throughout Europe and the United States access to a graduate degree through OU’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies, the MAIR program is now open to students worldwide.
The Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) is an interdisciplinary, non-thesis graduate degree program. OU’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies (PACS) allows both military personnel and other busy professionals the flexibility to complete their MAIR degree while maintaining a full-time job. Students can choose from courses in a variety of disciplines, including:
The MAIR program is built to equip students with the tools to develop a broad base of knowledge in international relations, the ability to conduct research and analyze information from a variety of sources and the skills necessary to express their thoughts effectively. The MAIR degree is housed at nine European sites and five US sites. *Please note that students must have access to an MAIR site, as the MAIR program is not an online program.
The MAIR degree is housed in OU’s College of International Studies (CIS). CIS is dedicated to international learning, research and service at OU. With support from the university community and an active Board of Visitors, the College continues to work diligently towards its mission to “expand the OU international experience and develop compassionate, open-minded citizens and leaders.”
The MAIR program is being phased out. We will continue to offer a full range of courses through summer 2023, and we are working with current students to ensure degree completion by fall 2023. New applicants should be aware that it will be difficult to complete the degree by fall 2023. We are offering new students the option to apply to the fully only Global Affairs MA also offered through the College of International Studies: https://www.ou.edu/cis/ias/graduate-programs/gama
No. As of August 2022 the MAIR program has stopped admitting students to the program because those admitted would most likely be unable to finish the degree before it is phased out. Those who submit an application prior to receiving this information will be offered two options: (i) shift your application to the Global Affairs MA (GAMA) program with no additional application fee; or (2) a refund of your application fee.
Note that any students newly admitted to the GAMA program (in other words, students not currently in the MAIR) will pay tuition at the GAMA rate rather than the MAIR rate.
Students with 15 or more credit hours who have been inactive can reapply for admission to the MAIR program throughout the fall semester — until December 15, 2022. These students can be readmitted to complete their degrees IF they have a satisfactory academic record as determined by the MAIR admissions committee and if they have a reasonable plan of study for completing the degree.
Students who have completed 15 or more credit hours by the end of summer 2022 should find it entirely possible to complete the MAIR degree. Students with 12 credit hours may be able to do so as well, though once you fall below 12 credit hours completed the conditions become more restrictive.
The MAIR program will offer 24 courses (a combination of hybrid and online) in fall 2022, another 24 in spring 2023, and 12 in summer 2023, so there is ample opportunity to complete the program by fall 2023. It also will be possible to take a 2-credit IDR with the MAIR comprehensive exam in fall 2023.
For those nearing degree completion, it also will be possible to take one course from the Global Affairs MA program for MAIR credit through fall 2023. Note that this is a change in policy from an earlier decision to allow 2 GAMA courses. The change reflects a decision to offer additional MAIR courses in fall 2023 and, if needed, spring 2024, to help ensure degree completion. Note that the fall 2023 and spring 2024 schedules will be limited but tailored to the needs of students closing in on completion of the MAIR degree.
Students who wish to transfer into the GAMA program have until 15 October 2022 to inform us of their intention to do so. However, this path is no longer necessary for most students due to the addition of MAIR course offerings for fall 2023 and, as needed, spring 2024.
Students DO NOT have to transfer into GAMA immediately but can complete additional MAIR courses prior to transfer. Informing us by 15 October, including the semester for which the student intends to switch (Spring '23, Summer '23, or Fall '23) will enable us to plan appropriately for GAMA course offerings. Informing us of the semester for which they would like to switch programs will also enable us to inform students when they need to enroll in GAMA courses for their starting semester. For example, spring '23 enrollment begins shortly after the October 15 deadline.
For those who DO shift to the GAMA program, all of your MAIR courses WILL transfer -- with the exception of any credits you have transferred in to the MAIR, which will have to undergo review by the GAMA program.
We will review all transfer credits already granted for the MAIR program to assess whether they will count toward the GAMA. We will not review new transfer credits beyond credits already granted by MAIR.
We are developing specific language that will allow those students who have been deployed or worked abroad for a substantial period to forego the study abroad requirement. Students who meet the standard for exemption will complete an elective course in place of the study abroad course.
Students who transfer into the GAMA program will meet GAMA requirements (with the possible study abroad exception noted above). This means completing the GAMA practicum rather than the MAIR comprehensive exam.
No one will be automatically transferred. Students should begin planning now for how they can best complete the degree, and we are committed to working with students to ensure degree competition.
Yes. We will offer the comprehensive exam on a typical timetable through fall 2023. It also will be possible for students to complete the 2 credit hours required by the Graduate College during their final semester with the 2-hour IDR we typically offer. There also will be a limited offering of MAIR courses for students who need an additional three credit hours to complete their degree in fall 2023.
