American Politics & Foreign Policy

This MA was the first of its kind to be established in Europe and North America providing students with a sophisticated understanding of the United States, its foreign relations, and domestic politics.



Key reasons to join this program:

- Learn from and engage with top experts in the field. Eugenio Lilli is an influential scholar of US foreign policy, the Middle East, and emerging technologies. Eugenio was invited by United States Strategic Command to discuss his work on cyber deterrence. Scott Lucas has been at the forefront of analysis and commentary on American politics and foreign policy for more than three decades. Scott is a frequent guest of outlets such as CNN, BBC, Ireland's RTE, Canada's CBC, Al Jazeera, France 24, Deutsche Welle, and channels throughout India. Liam Kennedy is an authority in the areas of US-Irish relations, public diplomacy and soft power. On the former topic Liam has advised the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.



- Avail of our internship and mentorship opportunities. To know more about this, contact us via the form on this page or write to the program director eugenio.lilli[at]ucd.ie



- Participate in unique events. Past events organized for our students featured Bill Clinton (42nd president of the United States), Jake Sullivan (National Security Advisor to US President Biden), Christopher Painter (1st US cyber ambassador), Noam Chomsky (scholar and intellectual) and many other leading politicians, diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and journalists.



- Contribute to our flagship media outlets. Our students have the opportunity to contribute with their analysis to American Unfiltered and EA WorldView; two media outlets run by our own Liam Kennedy and Scott Lucas.



- Take advantage of the benefits of an exclusive venue. All the core modules of this MA take place in the exclusive Clinton Institute located in UCD Belfield Campus. Our core modules consist of small cohorts of students therefore allowing you to benefit from high levels of interaction with your instructors.



- Study an incredibly topical and fascinating subject. In the 21st century the United States remains the most influential country in the world. Whether you look at climate change, the covid-19 pandemic, or the war in Ukraine, decisions taken in Washington DC have an impact on the rest of the world. However, a number of challenges in recent years have called into question the sustainability of American leadership abroad and prosperity at home. This includes, but is not limited to, the notion of American decline in relation to rising powers such as China and resurging ones like Russia, a political system that appears to have entered an extended period of dysfunction, recurring problems in race relations, and rising economic inequality.



This MA is designed for those people planning, or already engaged in, a career in the diplomatic service, journalism, international organizations, or non-governmental organizations. This Masters will also prepare you for a career in politics, political risk analysis, academia, and think tanks.

Module / Trimester / Credits

Stage 1 Core Modules

AMST40310 Challenges in US Foreign Policy Autumn 10

AMST40590 Trump's America Autumn 10

AMST40480 Research Skills Seminar Spring 10

AMST40560 The Global Politics of Cyber Security Spring 10

AMST40570 The U.S. and the Middle East Spring 10

AMST40050 Minor Thesis Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:

Students must select one option module.



AMST40580 News Media Today Autumn 10

GEOG40450 Critical Geopolitics and Diplomacy Autumn 10

GEOG41050 Globalization, Empire and Race: Economic Geography Autumn 10

HIS41780 Origins of Modern Diplomacy Autumn 10

HIS42850 NATO’s Wars: From Bosnia to Afghanistan Autumn 10

AMST40650 Politics and Digital Storytelling Spring 10

HIS42480 War, Peace, and Globalisation Spring 10

HIS42840 Modern Asia Spring 10

An upper second class honours degree (NFQ Level 8 ), or the international equivalent in the subject areas such as the humanities, politics and international relations but not exclusively. Consideration will be given to students with a lower GPA but they will require an interview (via SKYPE or in person) and maybe asked for additional material.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS overall 6.5 (with no band less than 6 in each element), or equivalent.



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

Z234: 1 year full-time.

Z235: 2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

Z234 - American Politics & Foreign Policy Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught



Z235 - American Politics & Foreign Policy Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught

This Masters will also prepare you for a career in politics, political risk analysis, academia, and think tanks.