Rice University, Master of Global Affairs

Cultivating Agile Global Leaders Through Immersion in Diverse International Settings

Experiential learning is a necessary component of a graduate education, but Rice University’s Master of Global Affairs (MGA) distinguishes itself through a deeply immersive approach that enables students to actively engage with global systems. Notably, its International Masterclass and Diplomatic Immersion, Policy Learning, and Observation (D.I.P.L.O.) programs give students direct exposure to real-world global challenges and diplomatic practices, helping them cultivate skills in cross-cultural communication, problem-solving, and global leadership.

This spring, the International Masterclass took second-year MGA students to Paris to apply classroom knowledge to real-world contexts. There, they worked on applied projects and simulated activities in collaboration with the Institute for Global Negotiation, as well as policymakers and nongovernmental organizations, gaining insight into global governance, negotiation strategies, and transnational issues.

“Our aim is to deepen students’ understanding of global systems, challenges, and solutions in unfamiliar, dynamic contexts that broaden their worldview and strengthen their intercultural agility,” says Abbey Godley, assistant dean for student programs at Rice’s School of Social Sciences.

Vera Zhao, from the MGA class of 2025, participated in the spring semester International Masterclass, saying: “The trip to Paris and working with the Institute for Global Negotiation was an incredible and unforgettable experience that pushed us out of the classroom and into real-world scenarios, truly putting our skills to the test.”

Locally, Rice leverages Houston’s international community through the new D.I.P.L.O. program, founded this year by MGA students in partnership with the consul general of France in Houston and the dean of the local consular corps. This initiative immerses first-year students in consular work, provides mentoring by consuls general, and culminates in a diplomatic simulation and drafting of a policy paper.

“Houston is home to the United States’ third-largest consular corps, so the D.I.P.L.O. program offers an extraordinary opportunity to participate in tangible experiences that demonstrate the direct impact of policy, social issues, and economic dynamics in our global city,” Godley explains.

Pairing immersion with coursework equips students to thrive in a changing global landscape. Within six months of graduation, MGA graduates found roles in the private sector (64 percent), public sector (19 percent), and foundations or nonprofits (16 percent).

“As demonstrated by the successful and varied career outcomes of our graduates, Rice’s Master of Global Affairs is designed to equip students with sought-after skills and experiences that translate across numerous sectors and industries, even in times of global transitions,” Godley says.

---

Applicants Should Consider Program Concentrations with a Sense of Purpose

Rice University’s Master of Global Affairs has three program concentrations: International Security, International Political Development, and International Political Economy.

Applicants are evaluated on various factors, such as having strong analytical skills. Another consideration is work experience, or having had significant international experience as an undergraduate, including study abroad, research work, or internships. For all applicants, excellent letters of recommendation and a clear sense of purpose and direction for pursuing graduate education at Rice are also admissions must-haves.

---

Rice University, Master of Global Affairs
mga.rice.edu
[email protected]
713-348-2367