Less Quant-Heavy IR Masters Programs

[Tayrae77]

Hello!

I've been doing a lot of research into IR programs, and was wondering what the less-quant heavy or balanced programs might be?  I'm not afraid of quant, I just don't think a program that's heavy in that area will be the best preparation for what I want to to.  A bit about me:

Planning to transfer to UC Berkeley from a CA community college: double major in Peace and Conflict Studies and Middle Eastern Studies.  I'm particularly interested in addressing the global refugee crisis, NGO work, humanitarian work, etc.  Think International Rescue Committee and Human Rights Watch.  Would prefer to end up based in CA.

So, I want a program that balances policy and economic analysis with thorough sociopolitical analysis, if that makes sense.  For example, a little more classes exploring specific parts of the world, groups, social problems, specific political dynamics, and a little less higher math and preparation to work crafting policy.  Academically rigorous, of course.  Again, I do want a balance, I've just been finding mostly high ranking programs preparing individuals for a career IN policy, whereas I want to work more on the ground and possibly advocate for policy changes.

Thank you!

[ultraultra]

I think Oxford has a migration studies program that fits what you're looking for. Though maybe your best bet is to look at researchers working in your ideal jobs and try to chart their education/professional history?

[Determinedandnervous]

Canadian and British programs tend to be much less quantitative than American programs, though quantitative methods really aren't all that bad once you get the hang of them. However, if it's a policy program you're looking for to do applied work, we in the political science subforum are less apt to recommend you a good place than the professional program in government/public affairs subforum, so I recommend going there for more comprehensive advice.

[Tayrae77]

Thank you!  I appreciate the advice; I've posted there as well.  I'm planning to get a strong foundation in quant methods, I just don't think a program heavy in them will be the best preparation for my aspirations.

[rising_star]

@Tayrae77, please don't post the same thing multiple times. I have locked your other post.

[Tayrae77]

@rising_star, I'm sorry, I didn't know that you couldn't post the same thing in multiple forums?  That was actually suggested here.  So, I guess I'd rather delete this one if I can't have it in both.  This is my first post and seemed like it made sense to post in both areas due to cross-over.

[CarefreeWritingsontheWall]

Hi Tayrae77. I would qualify what you're asking for as not so much a "quant heavy" program, and more so something practical. It sounds like you don't want the theory behind quantitative methods but the skills - if you're doing policy work, it is a HUGE plus on your CV that you can work with and manipulate data. As much as political science is viewed as being high on the big data phenomenon, the private sector and consulting are always looking for people comfortable with working with it. The learning curve is steep, but if you have practical programming skills under your belt they'll travel well on the job market in both the private and public sector. Practical skills do require a basic understanding of the underlying math but it's not impossible to find. Your best bet is to find a department that is supportive of mixed methods training.

MPA and MPP programs sound like they may be a better fit based on where you want to end up - they're much more interdisciplinary (economics, sociology, business and politics etc.) than a straight political science degree. Some schools have a focus on international development, but they tend to be interdisciplinary in an academic sense (anthropological theory with political science theory - can be difficult since the fields don't entirely see eye to eye). If you walk into an academic program, you may not like what you find since the causal inference process and research design elements are going to be stressed above practical applications - theory can sometimes come off as one step removed. That said, some departments are better integrated with their policy programs. The Evans School in Seattle at the University of Washington, or the Goldman School at Berkeley are great if you're looking into west coast options. Stanford also has a public policy program. UCLA's political science department is very much oriented towards formal theory and quantitative methods in a theoretical and practical sense - they're definitely training some high quality methodologists but that sounds like the opposite of what you want to do.

Edited March 19, 2016 by CarefreeWritingsontheWall