M.A. Global & International Studies Interagency Studies Program (ISP)


Campanile with orange sunset in the background

The Interagency Studies Program is a special track in the MA degree program in Global and International Studies. This very degree was established in 2010 and is also known as ISP or Interagency track in GIST. It is a 10-month program designed primarily for officers pursuing their Intermediate Level Education (ILE) program at the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Ft. Leavenworth. The objective of the GIST-ISP is to prepare military officers for working in interagency environments by expanding their abilities to conceptualize and address issues beyond their military training. The program offers coursework from multiple disciplines with an array of theoretical frameworks.

The ISP track of the GIST MA program at KU offers a broad, integrative approach to the study of global and international issues, supported by the perspectives and theories from multiple relevant disciplines. Students enrolled in the program will focus on various transnational processes that affect states and societies around the world, such as terrorism, conflict and security, the global economy, the role of international organizations, nationalism and social movements.

Eligible students are admitted to KU through the Center for Global and International Studies. After successful completion of the graduate program, the University awards each graduate a Master of Arts in Global and International Studies with a Concentration in Interagency Studies.

The ISP curriculum consists of a total of 30 credit hours.

Intermediate Level Education (ILE) courses (6 hours):

KU grants 6 hours of credit for Intermediate Level Education (ILE).

Other courses taught by KU faculty (24 hours):

These are taught in the evening at Ft. Leavenworth.

Final paper & presentation:

The program culminates with a final research paper and presentation demonstrating the application of program knowledge to a military issue (preferably an interagency one). Students are encouraged to submit their research to relevant journal outlets in military studies.

Schedule:

The program is completed in 10 months. Students take 3 courses during both the fall and spring semesters and 2 courses during the summer semester. The evening classes run the length of the academic year: 3 courses August-December, 3 courses January-April, and 2 courses May-June.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose KU for my Global and International Studies graduate degree?
What can I do with an M.A. in GIST?
How long will it take for an application to be reviewed?
Where are classes taught?
What is the cost of the program?
How do I apply for Army Tuition Assistance?
Is there an orientation?

Why choose KU for my Global and International Studies graduate degree?

The degree offers a broad, integrative approach for students to gain a deep understanding of a global and international issues and to explore the history and context of conflicts that cross national borders and affect the work of governments, corporations, and interagency communication. Our students develop a significant awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced by entities connected to the international arena. The objective of the Interagency Studies Program, or ISP, is to prepare military officers for working in interagency environments by expanding their abilities to conceptualize and address issue beyond their military training. The program offers coursework from multiple disciplines with an array of theoretical frameworks. The culmination of the program is a final paper;which will include a review of the scholarly literature (the state of the field) on the issue, your research contribution to the current discussion on the topic or issue, your substantiated argument, and a conclusion​.  

What can I do with an M.A. in GIST?

The degree allows students to gain a deep understanding of a world region of interest and to explore the history and context of issues that cross national borders and affect the work of governments, corporations, and service organizations. Our students develop a significant awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced by any entity connected to the international arena. As a result, a master's degree in international studies, together with relevant work experience and language training, can be a valuable asset for military officers.

How long will it take for an application to be reviewed?

Application review turnaround times generally take place within a few weeks. We recommend students apply as early as possible once they receive their CGSC orders. Since the program operates as a cohort model, classes start at the beginning of August and run through the middle of June each year. 

Where are classes taught? 

Most of our classes are taught by KU faculty on-location at CGSC in Ft. Leavenworth. All courses in the GIST ISP degree include a live interactive classroom component. Some of our classes have hybrid online or in person elements, and one or two of our classes are fully online—like the research project support course in the spring (GIST 810). Program meetings related to orientation and enrollment are conducted online through Zoom. Final defenses are conducted on Zoom or in Lawrence, and graduation ceremonies will be held at the Lawrence campus. 

What is the cost of the program? 

Costs can be estimated by using KU's Tuition and Fee Schedule (students are charged Kansas resident tuition)—i.e. $416.20/per credit hour, along with additional fees.​

How do I apply for Army Tuition Assistance? ​

Students must enroll in classes and then submit their schedule each semester to be eligible for tuition assistance. Tuition assistance is submitted through the Army IgnitED website.

Is there an orientation?

Yes, there is an online orientation via Zoom at the end of July or early August for newly admitted students. The orientation covers enrollment information, tuition assistance, available resources, immunization requirements, etc. 

Michael Wuthrich

Associate Director, Center for Global & International Studies

Director, Interagency Studies Program

mwuthrich@ku.edu

Blake Hall, 522

Ashley Urban

Advisor, Interagency Studies Program

Coordinator, Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (ICCAE)

ashleylu@ku.edu

785-864-1057

Strong Hall, 222

Timeline & General Info

We admit students as a cohort for the fall semester. We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2022. The priority admission deadline is July 25, but applications will be considered through August 20th. If you would like to learn more about the Interagency Studies Program and/or the admission requirements, please contact the ISP Advisor listed under Center Faculty & Staff. How to Apply on KU's Graduate Studies page is a resource for application-related logistical questions.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to a graduate program at KU, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with undergraduate degree requirements similar to those of the University of Kansas. Additionally, with few exceptions, applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average (on a scale in which A=4.0) in their bachelor's degree in order to be regularly admitted. An applicant with less than a 3.0 GPA in their bachelor’s degree may still be considered for graduate study, but must be admitted provisionally. For additional information on university admission requirements, please visit Admission to Graduate Study.

Application Materials

All application materials must be received before your application for admission can be evaluated. A completed application consists of the following:

  1. A KU Graduate Application submitted online. There is no fee for submitting an application to the Interagency Studies Program.
  2. Official Transcript sent directly from your degree-granting undergraduate institution. (If you transferred in significant coursework from another institution toward your undergraduate degree, you will likely need to submit a transcript from that institution.) If you have earned any graduate degrees, this official transcript must be included as well. Per KU's transcript policy, unofficial transcripts may be evaluated for admission decisions, but official transcripts will be required if admitted. Digital copies of transcripts may be emailed directly from the degree-granting institution to graduateadm@ku.edu. Official paper copies of transcripts may sent directly to the GIST program: University of Kansas, Center for Global & International Studies, GIST MA- Interagency Studies Applications, Bailey Hall Room 201, 1440 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045. Once we receive your transcript, we will upload it to your application.
  3. Official Record Brief or Resume: only one of these is needed. If submitting an ORB, attach it in the "Resume" spot of the application.
  4. A 500-1000 word Statement of Purpose describing your academic qualifications and how the Interagency Studies track of the M.A. in Global & International Studies will help you meet your academic and professional goals.
  5. The last three copies of your Official Evaluation Report. These can be submitted as one pdf with your ORB under the "Resume" link.
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