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Concordia University Irvine is no longer enrolling new students for the Master of Arts in International Studies. If you have an interest in International Business, we encourage you to explore the Master of Business Administration. If your interest is in local and global missions, take a look at our Cross-Cultural Ministry Center where you can earn a Master of Arts in Theology, with a concurrent vicarage through the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), while developing culture-crossing ministries.

First-Hand Experiences

Dr. Yi Schuler
Director of MAIS Program
Professor of International Studies

Professors with a Global Mindset

Our faculty and staff come from diverse backgrounds and fields but what they share is real world experience, extraordinary expertise, a Christian faith-based perspective, and a commitment to our students and their success. When it comes time to write your thesis, you will work one-on-one with a faculty thesis advisor who will provide oversight, counsel, and collaboration in this culminating project of your global studies experience.
Read more about Dr. Yi Schuler »

Meet our Faculty

Where Our Alumni Are Working

While a degree in International Studies does not lead to a specific career in the way that other pursuits like accounting or teaching might, studying international relations cultivates skills in speech and writing, analytical skills, and a detailed knowledge of global relations. In turn, this degree prepares students for careers in government, journalism, law, non-profit leadership, non-governmental organizations, international affairs, international business, teaching, and research.

  • Oakley
  • Phoenix International Freight
  • Aramco Oil Company, Saudi Arabia
  • JUMP! Foundation
  • U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
  • Safehouse International
  • Hangzhou Normal University
  • Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Globalize Your Resume

Our graduates are engaged in different industries or sectors depending on their goals and the concentration they chose within their MAIS degree program at Concordia. In summary, here is what our alumni are doing:

  • Pursuing doctoral degrees
  • Pursuing a law degree
  • Teaching and working in China
  • Working at US State Department and Foreign Services
  • Working at Non-Government Organizations
  • Private Sector: International Business
  • Private Sector: Nonprofit
  • Private Sector: International Banking and Finance
  • Teaching at private school or junior college
  • Study abroad advisor at colleges and universities
  • International student advisor/program coordinator
  • Student affairs staff at colleges and universities
  • International and charter school teachers
  • Educational program designers, implementers, and evaluators
  • Curriculum designers
  • Educational researchers
  • Educational consultants
  • Educational entrepreneurs
  • Working in missions organizations

Discover Why Students Succeed with Concordia Online Degrees

Very few online degree programs can claim to be a “community of learning,” since coursework is completed primarily through reading articles in text heavy units and posting to discussion forums. Concordia University’s online education ascribes to a different model in which "real time," synchronous learning experiences comprise a certain percentage of every course, bringing you face-to-face with our outstanding faculty and nationally recognized programs.

MAIS students will enjoy blended learning with the experience of international travel in a region of their choice. The field work is a continuation of the students’ learning, providing a rich context for applying their academic knowledge, a social laboratory to conduct project observation and research, and a setting for establishing and deepening relationships with those residing in their chosen regional community.

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