MA in International Relations / MS in Finance

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Syracuse University

Program Overview

The dual M.A. in International Relations and M.S. in Finance at Syracuse University's Maxwell School and Martin J. Whitman School of Management is a two-year graduate program designed for students interested in international corporate and public finance. Combining international affairs, economics, financial management, investment analysis and global policy, the 58-credit program develops the expertise needed to work at the intersection of international business, finance and government.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students develop financial expertise through Corporate Financial Policy & Strategy, Investment Analysis and Financial Management, alongside international relations courses such as International Actors and Issues and Economics for Public Decisions. They also study statistical analysis and research design while beginning their selected international relations career track.

Year 2: Students advance through finance electives such as International Financial Management, Financial Analytics, Fixed Income Securities and Risk Management. They complete specialised international relations coursework, an IR Capstone Seminar and a professional internship related to international corporate or public finance.

Focus Areas

International corporate finance, public finance, international political economy, financial management, investment analysis, financial analytics, global markets, risk management, international development, security studies, conflict resolution, regional studies.

Learning Outcomes

Analyse international financial markets, evaluate corporate financial strategies, apply investment analysis techniques, understand global economic policies, assess financial risks, conduct international relations research, interpret statistical data, develop international financial strategies, understand global political and economic systems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is jointly offered by Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and Martin J. Whitman School of Management. No separate professional program-specific accreditation is stated on the dual-degree page.

Reputation (Employability)

The program combines the academic resources and professional networks of two established Syracuse University schools. Students benefit from international affairs training, finance specialisation and internship experience, preparing them for opportunities in financial institutions, government agencies, multinational corporations and international organisations. No dual-degree-specific employment rate is published.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience by connecting financial theory with international economic and policy challenges. The program includes an internship related to students' professional interests in international corporate or public finance, while its career-track options help them develop expertise in areas such as global markets, international development and security. Students can also benefit from Maxwell's international research environment and its connections in Washington, D.C., and abroad.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

Professional Internship: Complete an internship related to international corporate or public finance, gaining exposure to professional financial and international affairs environments.
International Policy Simulation: Participate in the IR Capstone Seminar, which uses real-world policy challenges, including nuclear non-proliferation and climate change, as the basis for simulation exercises.
Global Opportunities: Explore international study and internship opportunities through Syracuse Abroad's centres in Brussels, Strasbourg and Santiago.
Washington, D.C. Exposure: Access Maxwell's presence in Washington, D.C., with connections to policymakers, international organizations, internship opportunities and alumni.
Research Institutes: Engage with Maxwell's research environment, including the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs and its regional centres.
Financial Analysis: Develop quantitative and analytical expertise through coursework in Financial Analytics, Investment Analysis, Regression Models and Time Series Analysis.
International Research Exposure: Learn from Maxwell's research environment, where the university reports that 66% of its faculty conduct research outside the United States.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MA in International Relations/MS in Finance are prepared to pursue opportunities at the intersection of global finance, international economics and public policy. The combination of financial management, investment analysis and international relations provides a foundation for working in financial institutions, multinational corporations, government agencies and international organizations.

Potential career opportunities:

International Financial Analyst
Investment Analyst
Financial Risk Analyst
International Economic Policy Analyst

Career development and employment opportunities:

Career Support: The Palmer Career Center provides resume workshops, interview coaching, networking events, workshops and personalized career guidance.
Employment Outcomes: Maxwell reports that 97% of its most recent MA in International Relations graduates secured employment within six months of graduation. This is a reported outcome for the MAIR program, not a separately published statistic for the combined dual degree.
Industry Exposure: Maxwell's Washington, D.C. network provides access to policymakers, international organizations, professional connections and internship opportunities.
Global Professional Network: Students benefit from Maxwell's alumni network of approximately 37,000 members.
Professional Recognition: The Maxwell School's #1 U.S. News & World Report ranking among schools of public affairs (2026 recognition) adds institutional reputation to the qualification.
Salary Information: The university does not publish a specific salary range or median salary for graduates of this combined program.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the dual degree, graduates can pursue doctoral studies (Ph.D.) in International Relations, International Political Economy, Economics, Finance or related interdisciplinary fields. They may also explore research-oriented postgraduate opportunities in global financial systems, international economic policy, development studies and public affairs, depending on their academic interests and admission requirements.