International Relations

The goal of the non-thesis MA program in International Relations is to fulfill an important need by providing the appropriate training for students who do not plan to be academics or researchers but plan to pursue applied careers focused on policy making as experts of international relations in national or international organizations. In a world that increasingly looks multipolar, state and non-state actors in emerging powers including Turkey must establish multiple and multifaceted relations with other state and non-state actors.

This can only be managed and accomplished successfully by professionals with adequate training and expertise. Thus, there is a growing need to educate and employ in public and private sectors professionals who are experts in international relations, self-confident on a global scale, and equipped with analytic and communication skills necessary to manage multifaceted institutonal relations. Even if these prpfessionals do not develop theories and conduct research themselves, they need to be able to follow, understand and adequately interpret research in their own areas.

Hence, Koç University non-thesis MA program in International Relations is designed to fulfill this need by educating students who will develop these qualities without spending time to research and write a thesis.

In Koç University non-thesis MA program in International Relations, students will focus on developing these applied skills by taking three additional courses instead of writing a thesis, and still be able to complete the program and start their cereers at least one semester earlier than the students in the with-thesis program.

In principle, enrollment in the non-thesis MA program does not entitle a student to directly gain admission to a relevant PhD program in the Institute. But such students can apply for admisson to a PhD program provided that they meet the application criteria.
The faculty members of the International Relations Department at Koç University are internationally renowned for their first-rate research, expertise and contributions to their respective fields nationally as well as internationally. Even though it is a medium-size department, it is ranked highly in international rankings based on refereed academic publications.

The facultys expertise include theoretical research in areas such as international relations and comparative politics, research on regions such as the European Union and the Middle East, as well as applied research in areas such as conflict resolution, migration, and elections. Thus, the International Relations Department at Koç University has the qualities needed to provide a first-rate graduate education for experts of international relations.

With these qualities, Koç University non-thesis MA program in International Relations can be expected to attract graduates from universities in major Turkish cities, the rest of Turkey, as well as Asia and Eurasia, thus contributing to relations with these countries.

Course Descriptions

Required Courses:
INTL 501 Research Methods

Introduction to the fundamental research methods in social science, covering issues and methods shared by all of the social sciences and by many of the natural sciences. Particular emphasis on contemporary work in the fields of international relations and political science, elaborating on both quantitative and qualitative methods and highlighting the steps in identifying a problem worthy of study and developing testable hypotheses, designing a research strategy, gathering data, analyzing data, and interpreting the results.

INTL 503 Globalization and International Relations Theory

Historical and analytical analysis of globalization processes and their impacts on world politics, with special focus on the questions of the changing nature of the nation state, sustainable economic development and democratic global governance. Presentation of an inter-disciplinary framework for an in-depth analysis of change in international relations, while paying attention to the debate on globalization that is taking place in the fields of international relations, sociology, economics and management.

INTL 504 Comparative Politics

Examination of current issues of importance for the field of comparative politics such as: the expansion and problems of democracy as a political system, democratic consolidation, politics of economic restructuring, governance in an era of economic globalization, and nationalism and inter-cultural conflict. Review of the scope and methods of the field, and of alternate theoretical approaches such as historical sociology, rational choice, political culture and institutionalism.

INTL 594 Project

An Extended Research Project under the supervision of an advisor.

Elective Courses
INTL 510 Turkish Economy

Introduction to Turkish economy and Turkish economic institutions: Recent history of the economy; the role of the state and other political actors in the economic processes of Turkish society; current policy issues and external economic relations of Turkish economy.

INTL 521 Issues in Turkish Politics

The development and major dynamics of Turkish Politics with a focus on the major contemporary political questions.

INTL 531 International Political Economy

Examination of contemporary issues in international political economy such as: the relationship between states and markets in the contemporary era of globalization; implications of the growing interdependence of economic and political aspects of international relations; international arrangements designed to manage or regulate interstate activities relating to trade, money, resource use, technology and the physical environment; the roles of non-state actors; development patterns of industrialized and developing countries.

INTL 532 Political Economy of Globalization and Development

Topics to be covered include globalization and the nation state debate; multilateral agreements: from GATT to WTO, new regionalism in comparative perspective; the European model of political economy and its future trajectory; NAFTA and Asia Pacific: evolution and future prospects; neo-liberal reforms and democratization in Latin America and Eastern Europe; dynamics of emerging market crises and the reform of the IMF; transnational corporations and FDI: positive and normative dimensions; the emerging post-Washington Consensus and the future of North-South relations; trans-nationalism and global governance; issues in the political economy of Turkey.

INTL 533 Politics of European Integration

Examination of major issues of politics and public policy in the EU and its candidate countries such as: theoretically informed study of EU policy-making over core issue areas, including the single market, social and environmental policies, Common Agricultural Policy, cohesion policies, European Monetary Union, and enlargement.

INTL 534 Europe in the Global Context

In-depth analysis of the institutions and politics of the European integration and EU enlargement, comparative study of domestic adjustment to the EU in terms of political behavior, policy processes and institutional changes, selected topics related to European integration such as human rights, immigration, foreign policy and security.

INTL 535 Political Economy of the EU

The political and economic processes of European integration. Patterns of transnational governance and their reflection in national economies. Single market, trade, monetary union, and economic integration within the broader dynamics of global political economy

INTL 536 Political Economy of Institutions, Values and Development

Reviews contemporary perspectives on the political economy of development with particular emphasis on institutions and values.

INTL 570 International Conflict and Security

Theories of conflict and aspects of international security, including alliances, international organizations, ethnic and national conflict, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

CSHS 506 Turkish State and Society

Analyzes major social, economic and political transformations in Ottoman/Turkish society in the 19th and 20th centuries. Focuses mainly on Turkish state, society, and culture from 1923 to the present.

CSHS 521 Comparative Perspectives on the Middle East

Analyzes the establishment and development of Middle Eastern political systems, social and political processes including the end of empires, formation of nation states, and their foreign policies beginning with the nineteenth century.

CSHS 524 Etatist Policies in Comparative Perspective

Examines state-oriented policies in general in Eastern Europe including the Soviet Union and Balkan countries, comparing these countries to Turkey. Deals with different economic policies in those countries during the 20th century. Explores the effects of etatist economies on the political transformations in these societies.

* Official Transcripts: Minimum GPA of 3,00/4,00 * English Proficiency: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): IBT min. 80, CBT min. 213, PBT min. 550 or YDS (min. 87)or IELTS (min. 6,5) * ALES (Akademik Personel ve Lisansüstü Egitimi Giris Sinavi): Min. 70 from Quantitative. * GRE (Graduate Record Examination for international applicants): Min. 610/149 from Quantitative * 2 recommendation letters * Application FormAfter application, all applications are evaluated by the committee and ranked within their ALES/GRE scores, recommendation letters etc. If needed, interviews are held by the committee.Applicants graduate from other majors are expected to took the courses or equilavent courses listed below * INTL 101 Introduction to Political Science * INTL 203 Introduction to International Relations * INTL 204 Introduction to Comparative Politics and * 1 Research Methods Course (not specifically from INTL major) * 2 International Relations Courses. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Financial Aid
Koc University graduate programs with thesis (MA with Thesis and Ph.D.) admit students with full tuition waiver; admitted students do not pay tuition.

Information on the tuition fee and Financial support to MA programs without Thesis can be found in each program's web page.

All admitted MA and Ph.D. students also receive the following benefits:

* Office space and laptop.
* Free housing nearby campus.
* Private health insurance.
* Coverage of expenses to participate in scientific conferences.
* Extra trainings (e.g., international summer schools) to contribute to students career success.
* Contribution towards thesis-related expenses.
* Summer internship programs overseas.
* Student Exchange possibilities with foreign universities

In addition to tuition waiver and above benefits, we also offer monthly stipend to the majority of our students in the "MA with Thesis" and PhD Programs.