MA at NYU International Relations

[WhateverHappens]

There is not much online regarding this program,the only professor that i know is Bruce Bueno de Mesquita. Do you guys know if the faculty is good? Do you think that a MA at NYU is going to help me a lot if in the future i want to apply for a PHD in International Relations? Money are not a problem, so I would be happy to study at NYU if this would help me to get in better programs in the future.

thank you so much.

[RWBG]

The faculty at nyu is very good, but not all of them are teaching MA level classes. In addition to Bruce BdM, George Downs and Michael Gilligan are some noteworthy people teaching MA classes this year.

[Tufnel]

The faculty is indeed very good but I don't think you'd get too close to them while doing an MA. The MA is a cash cow; if you have a funded offer from a PhD program, I'd take it.

Edited March 25, 2011 by Tufnel

[informationbomb]

The faculty is indeed very good but I don't think you'd get too close to them while doing an MA. The MA is a cash cow; if you have a funded offer from a PhD program, I'd take it.

I think that's a bit hasty. The major problem with the NYU MA is paying for it, but that doesn't necessarily make it a 'cash-cow' scenario. If cash is indeed not a problem, you should go for it (unless, of course, you have a PhD offer, which I'm guessing you don't).

Looking over the past few years of courses offered, there seems to be significant overlap between MA and PhD classes, so I wouldn't be worried about being taught by second-rate professors or some such thing (I think aside from the required classes for the PhDs, all the rest of the classes are cross-listed, no?) I'm in theory, and most if not all of the big names are teaching at the MA level. Also, for Fall 2010 (last semester), I counted 40+ classes, so its absurd to think that you won't be able to take classes with recognized people. Also, remember that you do have to write a thesis, and you'll have a supervisor for that, so there's definite contact there as well. And from what I hear, NYU is a great place to learn your methods, that some have made careers out of their degree (esp if you're a quant person and you do a decent internship in your MA), and that some students do actually place quite well in PhD programs (I think Penelope Higgins, a faculty member who has a presence on these boards, said something to that effect).

So whats the problem? From what I can tell, its incoming class size. Apparently, last year there were close to 90 MA students, which seem like a ton. Trying to stand out in that crowd, especially when most are trying to do what you're doing (get recs, A's, shot at PhD's), is going to be daunting. Though perhaps the number of classes disperses the crowd. For what its worth, the MA advisor told me there are usually only 7-10 students in theory classes...

Anyhow, I personally would jump at the chance of doing the NYU MA. I can't afford it, so its probably not going to happen. If I were you, I'd speak to the masters students at NYU and ask them every question you can think of, and ask them especially what they don't like about the program. If they are happy, you can make it work.

[RWBG]

I think that's a bit hasty. The major problem with the NYU MA is paying for it, but that doesn't necessarily make it a 'cash-cow' scenario. If cash is indeed not a problem, you should go for it (unless, of course, you have a PhD offer, which I'm guessing you don't).

Looking over the past few years of courses offered, there seems to be significant overlap between MA and PhD classes, so I wouldn't be worried about being taught by second-rate professors or some such thing (I think aside from the required classes for the PhDs, all the rest of the classes are cross-listed, no?) I'm in theory, and most if not all of the big names are teaching at the MA level. Also, for Fall 2010 (last semester), I counted 40+ classes, so its absurd to think that you won't be able to take classes with recognized people. Also, remember that you do have to write a thesis, and you'll have a supervisor for that, so there's definite contact there as well. And from what I hear, NYU is a great place to learn your methods, that some have made careers out of their degree (esp if you're a quant person and you do a decent internship in your MA), and that some students do actually place quite well in PhD programs (I think Penelope Higgins, a faculty member who has a presence on these boards, said something to that effect).

So whats the problem? From what I can tell, its incoming class size. Apparently, last year there were close to 90 MA students, which seem like a ton. Trying to stand out in that crowd, especially when most are trying to do what you're doing (get recs, A's, shot at PhD's), is going to be daunting. Though perhaps the number of classes disperses the crowd. For what its worth, the MA advisor told me there are usually only 7-10 students in theory classes...

Anyhow, I personally would jump at the chance of doing the NYU MA. I can't afford it, so its probably not going to happen. If I were you, I'd speak to the masters students at NYU and ask them every question you can think of, and ask them especially what they don't like about the program. If they are happy, you can make it work.

This sounds like good advise. I was under the impression that only MA level classes could be taken by MA students; upon review, the Ph.D courses seem to be available to master's students unless they explicitly say otherwise. I retract my previous statement.

[Tufnel]

I think that's a bit hasty. The major problem with the NYU MA is paying for it, but that doesn't necessarily make it a 'cash-cow' scenario...

You seem to disagree with me in the first sentence but then spend the remainder of the post in substantive agreement.

If you have an offer for a funded PhD, take it. That some students benefit from the program does not mean it isn't a cash cow. Cash cow - a product or service that generates much more profit than necessary for the continued operation of said product or service, so much so that the profit is used to fund other ends (like a PhD program).

I heartily agree with the final three paragraphs of your post. If you can pay for it, it might very well be the appropriate choice. Personally, that's a huge risk. I would only drop 40k (plus the foregone opportunities) if I was absolutely certain I wanted to be an academic and absolutely certain there was no alternative route to academia. That's a lot of coin for a career that will likely provide a five figure salary.

[Zahar Berkut]

What are your other options?

If money really is not a problem, it might be a good option. But make sure that you'll have the chance to get letters/form some kind of relationship with some tenured faculty member of interest. Ask the program to connect you with a current MA student that shares your interests and get a better perspective on their experience, and if they don't post their placement record for MA students, ask the program to provide that.

[WhateverHappens]

the other options are MAs from BU,GWU and American. From what i've heard NYU has the best faculty between these schools..it seems to be an easy call,right?

thank you so much guys for the useful advices.

[jsw1337]

Anyone have any thoughts/comments about this degree? Assuming you are using it as a terminal degree to enter the work force. Any alums here or anyone planning on attending this program in the fall?

[oasis]

There is not much online regarding this program,the only professor that i know is Bruce Bueno de Mesquita. Do you guys know if the faculty is good? Do you think that a MA at NYU is going to help me a lot if in the future i want to apply for a PHD in International Relations? Money are not a problem, so I would be happy to study at NYU if this would help me to get in better programs in the future.

thank you so much.

Your question isn't being framed well. Of course the faculty is good and the MA can help for future PhD apps. The question is, compared to what? What are the other options?

[hughwu]

also got accepted by this program, but i would definitely not accept the offer. It's really expensive

[jsw1337]

Anyone know more about this program? Placement afterwards?

[Tufnel]

the other options are MAs from BU,GWU and American. From what i've heard NYU has the best faculty between these schools..it seems to be an easy call,right?

thank you so much guys for the useful advices.

Three thoughts:

-Did you only apply to MA programs? In the US (I'm assuming you're an international student and applicant), an MA is not a prerequisite. If you didn't apply widely to PhD programs, I'd consider skipping on the masters degree and applying for PhD programs this fall.

-Depending on what you research, GWU might be a better choice than NYU. Their IR faculty is quite good and getting better.

-If any of the offers come with a stipend or some sort of funding, I'd take it. Prestige at the MA level isn't going to matter that much. All the programs into which you were accepted are decent programs with active faculty doing legitimate political science. If you must do an MA, I'd do the one that comes with the most support.

[jzho]

I have the same concerns. NYU has been my dream school for a number of years --- I applied for the PhD Politics, but got accepted only to the MA-IR with no funding. The only other school I applied to was Syracuse (MA-IR), which I got into (no funding), but I feel like Syracuse's faculty can't really compare with NYU's. At the same time, I feel like Syracuse has a much more well-put-together program.

I'm probably not going to go to NYU, but damn does the faculty makes it appealing.

[NObama]

Hi, I'm also considering applying to the program. As the admissions team seem a little off the ball in replying to email questions, I was just wondering what the consensus on the program was. Someone mentioned it being fairly academic but whats the prognosis on potential policy careers? I am considering a PhD but perhaps a little later.

[NObama]

Disclaimer, I did my undergrad at NYU and its difficult to get information so would love your thoughts!

Edited December 5, 2011 by NObama

[AlphabetSoup]

MA programs are a great idea for future PhD applicants that want to strengthen their CV (or who want to work out what/if they are REALLY interested in studying at the graduate level.

On the other hand, MAs in the US are also great ways to go into debt. Have you thought about programs in Canada? Full funding, high quality professors, small class sizes... sounds pretty great, eh?