Global Studies - MA

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Global Studies is a terminal two-year degree, which provides students with a practice-oriented, interdisciplinary academic foundation for work in or further study of globalization, global development, global cultures, political economy, and human rights. During their first three quarters on campus, students become familiar with global studies debates, learn research skills, and define questions. The summer/fall quarter after the first year is typically spent abroad and/or in field research. This period may combine research and an internship, and provides the foundation for the M.A. thesis which students complete in their final two quarters. The thesis is an extended analysis of a global problem and ways to address it, either in theory or as part of the work of an organization, including humanitarian, activist, business, or government organizations.

• Academia

• Nonprofit organizations

• K-12 education

• Law

• History

• Sociology

• Religious Studies

• Palestinian American Community Center

• Blackbird.AI

• The Asia Foundation

• We provide 3-6 months of research funding for your M.A. thesis.

• We offer a monthly practicum to plan research, meet faculty, and get advice from alumni.

• Our Department organizes a weekly Colloquium to hear research talks from experts in the field.

• Areas of Specialization: Global Political Economy, Development, and Environment; Global Culture, Ideology, and History; Global Governance, Human Rights, and Civil Society

• Related Programs: Sociology, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Religious Studies, History, Economics

• Globalization

• Human rights

• Climate change

• Migration and refugees

• Global political economy

• MA page of website: https://global.ucsb.edu/graduate

• Home page of website: global.ucsb.edu

• Global Studies Course Catalog: Global Studies department page