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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

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

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.

Other Resources

Professor Ariel Ahram
Associate Professor, Chair of Government & International Affairs
ahram@vt.edu

Elia Amegashie
Graduate Student Coordinator
elia@vt.edu
(571) 858-3109

GIA is located at VT SPIA's Arlington campus in the Washington D.C. Metro area.

We are housed in the Virginia Tech Research Center building located at 900 N. Glebe Road, 6th Floor, Arlington, VA 22203.

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