Language Requirement
IR/PS considers knowledge of a foreign language an indispensable skill for international relations professionals. Students must demonstrate a level of proficiency in a foreign language in order to be admitted to the MAS-IA degree program. There are five ways to satisfy this admissions requirement:
1. Native speaker ability
Native speaker ability can be demonstrated by graduation from a high-school or university outside the United States with primary instruction in the foreign language. Students demonstrating language expertise through this option must present a transcript verifying the institutional language of instruction.
2. Coursework
Successful completion of an approved, college-level sixth-quarter (or fourth semester) course, including courses completed during undergraduate or graduate degree studies, may satisfy the language requirement. Students demonstrating language proficiency through this option must present a transcript verifying the final grade and language of instruction.
3. Equivalency Exam
Passing an IR/PS-administered language exam, which is the equivalent of the final exam administered in the sixth-quarter (fourth semester) course in the selected language. Please inquire with the MAS-IA advisor if the exam is offered for your language.
4. Proficiency Exam
Passing a proficiency exam equivalent to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) scale. The minimum required level of proficiency is equivalent to a FSI Scale 2+ for Spanish, 2 for Portuguese, and 2- for most other languages.
5. Faculty Approval
An IR/PS faculty member on the admissions committee, in consultation with IR/PS language faculty, may evaluate an individual candidate’s verification of foreign language proficiency, such as a certificate from the Defense Language Institute or evidence of substantive utilization of the language on a professional level, on a case-by-case basis.
Click here for definitions of language proficiency.
