The MAIR program accepts applications for admission on a rolling basis.
Please be advised that the MAIR program will be phased out by July 2023, with the MAIR comprehensive exam available through Fall semester 2023. It may not be possible to complete the MAIR program in this timeframe. Accordingly, we are offering the opportunity for you to consider shifting your application to the Global Affairs MA program, also offered through OU's College of International Studies and fully online. Click the link below for more information:
https://www.ou.edu/cis/ias/graduate-programs/gama
Should you choose to shift your application to the GAMA program, you will be required to submit a statement of purpose for that program, but you will NOT be asked to pay an additional application fee. Should you choose to proceed with the MAIR application, we will work with you to speed your progress in that program to the extent possible, but we can not refund your application fee.
MAIR administrators carefully review each application for evidence of a high likelihood of success in the program. Evaluation is based on the degree of rigor and accomplishment reflected in an applicant’s transcript. The MAIR program requires receipt of official transcripts from all institutions where the student has previously completed college level credits.
The MAIR program may take up to 30 days to review applications. If an application is incomplete, or the program requests additional information, this 30-day review period begins once a completed application has been received.
While an application may be denied admission at any level, our guidelines are as follows:
GPA 3.00 or higher: Eligible for full admission
GPA 2.00 to 2.99: Eligible for conditional admission
Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are required to submit a one-page statement of purpose indicating their motivation and preparation for pursuing the MAIR degree.
Those applicants with a GPA above 3.0 have the option to submit a statement of purpose to provide additional evidence of likely success in the MAIR program. MAIR administrators may also request a statement of purpose from students in this category.
MAIR students are required to complete at least two in-person courses. Applicants who are not located at an IR-site will be required to verify how they plan to complete this requirement.
Upon receipt of a non IR-site application, the MAIR administrators will notify the applicant that travel to an IR-site will be necessary. The application process will resume once the MAIR program receives a reply of understanding from the applicant. We will deny admission if we do not receive a reply from the student within 2 weeks of notification
Students who have not enrolled in courses for three or more semesters will become “inactive.” Any inactive students must reapply. For those students, their reapplications will be treated as a completely new application.
Reapplications should be complete, including past transcripts and a statement of purpose (for those who have a GPA below 3.0). If you have previous OU graduate coursework, an OU transcript reflecting past courses should be submitted.
Applications for students who were previously in the Interdisciplinary Master of Arts with an emphasis in International Relations (old IR) program will NOT be reviewed for reentrance into the old IR program. All inactive student reapplications will be reviewed for the new Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) program. At the time of readmission, a student must satisfy all eligibility requirements for the MAIR program, as listed above.
If you are reapplying from the old IR program, you should review the “Course Offerings” tab to determine how your previously taken courses will count within the new MAIR degree program. While the majority of courses from the old IR program will still count within the new MAIR program, not all will count. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the MAIR administrators at mair@ou.edu.
Graduate coursework taken prior to admission to the MAIR degree program cannot be more than five years old at the time of admission.
Credit that is older than five years at the time of graduation is considered to be overage credit. No more than 25 percent of the total credit hours required for the MAIR degree can be more than five years old at the time of graduation. (Graduate College Bulletin, 7.1.3.1 - 7.1.5.2)
A Change of Program application may be completed if a student is currently enrolled in the original Interdisciplinary Master of Arts with an emphasis in International Relations (old IR) program and would like to change to the new Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) program.
A student in the old IR program may choose to change to the new MAIR program because their diploma and transcripts will read “Master of Arts.” The emphasis in International Relations will NOT be listed.
Change of program applications should be complete, including past transcripts and a statement of purpose (for those who have a GPA below 3.0). If you have previous OU graduate coursework, an OU transcript reflecting past courses should be submitted.
Note: TA regulations may prohibit your change from the old IR program. Again, if you have any questions, contact your site director.
*If you are an IR student and are unsure of which program you are currently enrolled in, or have any questions regarding the “old” vs. “new” program, please contact your MAIR advisor or your local site director for more information.
Students who are currently seeking a degree through the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (other than the IR or MAIR degree) may choose to apply for either a “Change of Program” or “Addition of Program.”
Change of program applications should be complete, including past transcripts and a statement of purpose (for those who have a GPA below 3.0). If you have previous OU graduate coursework, an OU transcript reflecting past courses should be submitted.
An Addition of Program application is required for students who are currently seeking a degree through the College of Professional and Continuing Studies and would like to add a “dual” degree. The change to the “dual” degree must occur before a student’s fourth course (12 credit hours) has been graded.
Addition or Change of Program Application from other OU programs
