Master's Program


Introduction




GSIS offers a two-year Master’s program in International Studies. The curriculum is based on five major divisions of study(from 2022 Spring): International Commerce, International Cooperation, International Area Studies, Korean Studies and International Development. Courses are mainly conducted in English, with some selective classes in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese, depending on the major. The academics at GSIS is divided into core curriculum and electives, where the core curriculum helps to develop deep expertise in the major program while electives aim to broaden the students’ perspectives. Most courses are seminar-based, encouraging lively in class discussions to promote active learning. Students are granted a Master of International Studies with a major field of study specified when graduating.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 39 credits and submission of thesis

International Commerce

The curriculum of international commerce at GSIS is diverse. International Commerce students are granted opportunities to delve in to the world of international trade and finance, international business and investment, as well as international trade law and negotiations. The International Commerce major offers an innovative and specialized curriculum to train students into international commerce experts, by providing students with a better understanding of the current socio-political and economic changes through case studies, seminars by experts, and simulation classes.

International Cooperation

A number of interdisciplinary courses on politics, international security, international political economy, international law and organization, and the diversity of culture are provided to students majoring in International Cooperation. The curriculum aims to shed light on the dynamic changes of the international environment so that students can learn to apply the knowledge and promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

International Development

International Development major aims to foster professionals in the field of international development who are  qualified with  global-level academic expertise with understanding of Korean perspectives. International development major offers diverse theoretical and practical lectures related to international development, economic growth, social development, development policy.

International Area Studies

International Area Studies trains students to become area specialists who have a comprehensive understanding of specific regions of the world (Asia, America, and Europe), equipping future leaders with extensive knowledge of regional societies. Diverse courses on politics, economics, society, culture, history, geography, the arts and languages are offered.

Korean Studies

Korean Studies trains students into research specialists on Korea with a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective. Its curriculum, consisting of various courses on Korean literature, history, politics, international relations, anthropology, sociology, economics, and culture, is enhanced by additional practical programs, including field trips and internship opportunities. Korean Studies courses are conducted either in English or Korean. 

Development Cooperation Policy

The Development Cooperation Policy major is offered by GSIS in conjunction with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), an organization dedicated to fostering the development of human resources in developing countries. Among government officials, employees in public sectors or state institute researches from various countries, twenty students are selected each year to participate in this program with the nomination of their governments, with the aim to create future international experts who will meet the needs of and contribute to the socio-economic advancement of developing countries. The Development Cooperation Policy courses are comprehensive and practical, centering on development policy issues and covering economics, law, and politics.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Academic Requirements

International Commerce

The International Commerce Program at GSIS has two components: the general curriculum which deals with past International Commerce and negotiation theories, and the advanced curriculum which concentrates on dealing with and implementing practical and actual cases in International Commerce. Students in the International Commerce program are required to complete four terms. The courses listed in the chart are examples of typical courses offered, but do not encompass all of the requirements for completion of the program.

Courses

International Cooperation

The chart below lists the suggested courses of study for students in the International Cooperation program. In the third and fourth semesters of the program, a student, with his/her advisor's permission, may take courses in other programs at GSIS or in other related departments at Seoul National University.

Courses

International Development

The chart below lists the suggested courses of study for students in the International Development program.

Courses

International Area Studies

The chart below lists the suggested courses of study for students in the International Area Studies program.

Courses

Korean Studies

The chart below lists the suggested courses of study for students in the Korean Studies program.

Courses

Development Cooperation Policy

GSIS/SNU-KOICA Master’s Program of Development Cooperation Policy offers curricula exclusively for foreign students who seek top-quality education on international development cooperation policy. With the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), an organization dedicated to fostering developing countries’ Human Resources Development (HRD), this program provides comprehensive and practical education on development policy to promising officials from developing countries, and focuses on enabling them to work as experts in the field of development in the future. In addition, students gain a chance to take a wide range of courses by faculty members specialized in development economics, law, politics, and so on. Government leaders in charge of development policy in a developing country play a key role in flourishing its economy and improving the quality of people’s life. GSIS/SNU-KOICA Master’s Program is a pivotal opportunity for officials from developing countries to deepen their knowledge in development policy, to broaden their perspectives on growth in a nation, and to be trained to become a potential leader in their countries. The chart below lists the suggested courses of study for students in the Development Cooperation Policy program. Contact: koica.snu@gmail.com

Courses