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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

  • Bio Item
    Ariel Ahram
    Ariel Ahram , bio

    Professor, Chair of Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-022 | Email: ahram@vt.edu

  • Bio Item
    No profile image
    Joyce Barr , bio

    Professor of Practice, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 5-042 | Email: ambbarr@vt.edu

  • Bio Item
    Nataliya Brantly
    Nataliya D. Brantly , bio

    Assistant Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Affiliated Faculty, Tech4Humanity Lab | Office: Architecture Annex, Room 215, Blacksburg | Email: nbrantly@vt.edu

  • Bio Item
    Giselle Datz
    Giselle Datz , bio

    Associate Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-010 | Email: gdatz@vt.edu |

  • Bio Item
    Chad Levinson
    Chad Levinson , bio

    Assistant Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-016 | Email: chadlevinson@vt.edu |

  • Bio Item
    Tim Luke
    Tim Luke , bio

    Interim Director and University Distinguished Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Blacksburg | Email: twluke@vt.edu | Phone: (540)-231-6633

  • Bio Item
    Joel Peters
    Joel Peters , bio

    Professor, Government and International Affairs (GIA) | Office: Arlington, Room 6-032 | Email: peters25@vt.edu |

  • Bio Item
    Yannis Stivachtis
    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

  • Bio Item
    Gerard Toal
    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.

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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