The goal of the non-thesis MA program in International Relations is to fulfill an important need by providing the appropriate training for students who do not plan to be academics or researchers but plan to pursue applied careers focused on policy making as experts of international relations in national or international organizations. In a world that increasingly looks multipolar, state and non-state actors in emerging powers including Türkiye must establish multiple and multifaceted relations with other state and non-state actors. This can only be managed and accomplished successfully by professionals with adequate training and expertise. Thus, there is a growing need to educate and employ in public and private sectors professionals who are experts in international relations, self-confident on a global scale, and equipped with analytic and communication skills necessary to manage multifaceted institutonal relations. Even if these prpfessionals do not develop theories and conduct research themselves, they need to be able to follow, understand and adequately interpret research in their own areas. Hence, Koç University non-thesis MA program in International Relations is designed to fulfill this need by educating students who will develop these qualities without spending time to research and write a thesis.    

In Koç University non-thesis MA program in International Relations, students will focus on developing these applied skills by taking three additional courses instead of writing a thesis, and still be able to complete the program and start their cereers at least one semester earlier than the students in the with-thesis program. In principle, enrollment in the non-thesis MA program does not entitle a student to directly gain admission to a relevant PhD program in the Institute. But such students can apply for admisson to a PhD program provided that they meet the application criteria.   

The faculty members of the International Relations Department at Koç University are internationally renowned for their first-rate research, expertise and contributions to their respective fields nationally as well as internationally. Even though it is a medium-size department, it is ranked highly in international rankings based on refereed academic publications. The faculty’s expertise include  theoretical research in areas such as international relations and comparative politics, research on regions such as the European Union and the Middle East, as well as applied research in areas such as conflict resolution, migration, and elections. Thus, the International Relations Department at Koç University has the qualities needed to provide a first-rate graduate education for experts of international relations.

With these qualities, Koç University non-thesis MA program in International Relations can be expected to attract graduates from universities in major Turkish cities, the rest of Türkiye, as well as Asia and Eurasia, thus contributing to relations with these countries.