Government & International Affairs (GIA)

Impact Change Around the World

Tackle global challenges and advance your career by earning a graduate degree (MA or Ph.D.) in International Affairs in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area

Join GIA

A group of GIA students visiting the State Department

Address complex global issues through multidisciplinary, problem solving and participatory learning

Today’s most pressing political, economic, environmental, and social challenges are truly global. Traditional frameworks and singularly disciplinary approaches are no longer sufficient for making sense of the complex and changing landscape of global affairs. To be effective, meeting that challenge requires knowledge from the social sciences, humanities, policy studies, arts, and advanced technologies.

Government and International Affairs (GIA) provides researchers and students the skills to leverage their experiences and further their knowledge of contemporary security and economic governance practices. Combining theory and practice, the programs in Government and International Affairs enable students and practitioners to develop critical thinking and learn how to conduct interdisciplinary, innovative, and independent research.

Advance your career without putting it on hold.

Flexible scheduling designed for the full-time working professionals
Small seminars classes held mostly in the evenings
Online classes taught by full-time faculty
Individual guidance from academic advisers

Our Academics

The GIA Community

Meet the Faculty

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Ariel Ahram , bio
Professor, Chair of Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-022 | Email: ahram@vt.edu
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Joyce Barr , bio
Professor of Practice, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 5-042 | Email: ambbarr@vt.edu
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Nataliya D. Brantly , bio
Assistant Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Deputy Director for Health Technologies, Tech4Humanity Lab | Office: Architecture Annex, Room 215, Blacksburg | Email: nbrantly@vt.edu
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Giselle Datz , bio
Associate Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-010 | Email: gdatz@vt.edu |
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Chad Levinson , bio
Assistant Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-016 | Email: chadlevinson@vt.edu |
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Tim Luke , bio
Interim Director and University Distinguished Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Blacksburg | Email: twluke@vt.edu | Phone: (540)-231-6633
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Joel Peters , bio
Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-032 | Email: peters25@vt.edu |
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Yannis Stivachtis , bio
Affiliated Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: 119B Major Williams Hall (0448), Blacksburg | Email: ystivach@vt.edu | Phone: (540)-231-8516
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Gerard Toal , bio
Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-020 | Email: toalg@vt.edu |

Thinking about Applying?

We highly value offering a tailored educational experience. Our GIA advisors will be able to answer your questions and guide you through the application process. Please reach out to us to receive a personal consultation on whether our program meets your needs.

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