01
A verifiable degree
A diploma issued by USA Open University, paired with a public verification record at our certificate portal.
Manifesto · Vol. II
Est. 2010
Political Science and International Relations Master.
This online program is delivered fully asynchronously to learners worldwide. Coursework blends recorded seminars, live cohort sessions across timezones, and project-based assessment, so working profes…
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The catalog entry
A standard built for working learners.
Everything you need to budget your time, your tuition, and your transcript before you apply.
01
Degree Level
Master
02
Duration
2 years
03
Total Courses
13
04
Total Credits
48
05
ECTS Credits
120
06
Delivery
Online · Asynchronous
07
Language
English
08
Intakes / year
3
Programme overview
What you will study — and how.
A self-paced syllabus with weekly checkpoints, asynchronous lectures, and live cohort rooms across timezones.
This online program is delivered fully asynchronously to learners worldwide. Coursework blends recorded seminars, live cohort sessions across timezones, and project-based assessment, so working professionals can balance study with their existing responsibilities.
Faculty are drawn from partner institutions across multiple continents. Every term opens with a syllabus, a clear assessment ledger, and direct access to academic advising — no commute required, no campus assumed.
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Chapter III · The curriculum ledger
Course breakdown, semester by semester.
13
courses · 48 Credits
Across 4 semesters
Across 4 semesters
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Semester 1 · term 1
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
MPL501
Advanced IR Theory
Realism, liberalism, constructivism, and contemporary critiques.
Core
3
0
3
8
MPL502
Comparative Politics: Methods
Cross-case methodology and most-similar/most-different designs.
Core
3
0
3
8
MPL503
International Public Law
Sources, treaties, state responsibility, and international tribunals.
Core
3
0
3
7
MPL504
Quantitative Methods in PS
Regression, panel data, and causal inference for political research.
Core
3
0
3
7
II
Semester 2 · term 2
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
MPL513
Conflict, Security & Strategy
Strategic studies, deterrence, and contemporary security challenges.
Core
3
0
3
8
MPL514
Diplomacy & Negotiation
Diplomatic practice, track-2 diplomacy, and applied negotiation.
Core
3
0
3
7
MPL511
Foreign Policy Analysis
Decision-making models, leaders, and the politics of choice.
Core
3
0
3
8
MPL512
Global Governance
UN system, regional bodies, and multi-stakeholder regimes.
Core
3
0
3
7
III
Semester 3 · term 3
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
MPL632
Cyber, AI & Global Order
Emerging technology and the future of the international system.
Elective
3
0
3
8
MPL602
Geopolitics of Energy & Climate
Resource politics, climate diplomacy, and the energy transition.
Core
3
0
3
7
MPL631
Middle East & Eurasia Politics
Regional dynamics, conflicts, and great-power competition.
Elective
3
0
3
8
MPL601
Research Design & Methods
Mixed-methods research and case-study design in political science.
Core
3
0
3
7
IV
Semester 4 · term 4
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
MPL701
Master Thesis
Independent research thesis defended before a committee.
Core
0
12
12
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Chapter IV · What graduates leave with
A degree built to be used.
Every outcome below is part of the program contract — not a marketing add-on.
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A global cohort
Study alongside peers from dozens of countries — every cohort is intentionally international.
03
Async & live blend
Recorded seminars you watch on your timezone, plus optional live rooms each week with faculty.
04
Transferable credit
ECTS-aligned credits accepted by partner institutions for transfer or further graduate study.
05
Career-aware mentoring
Every program pairs you with an academic advisor and access to the alumni mentoring network.
06
Accredited and audited
Curricula reviewed annually against accreditation standards listed on our charter page.
Chapter V · Admissions snapshot
Tuition, intakes, and the paperwork.
Numbers you can budget against. Every figure routes through admin settings — what you see here is what the bursar publishes.
$65 / cr
Per-credit rate
Locked for the length of your degree at admission.
$50
Application fee
Non-refundable; waived for partner-agency referrals.
3 / yr
Intakes per year
Rolling admissions, three terms a year.
60 days before each term
Application window
Apply early to lock the published rate.
Chapter VI · Common questions
Before you apply.
The answers most working learners ask first — collected and updated by admissions.
Is the degree fully online — or are there required visits?
Every part of this program is delivered online. Lectures are recorded for asynchronous study, live cohort rooms run across multiple timezones, and assessments are completed through the student portal. No in-person attendance is required to enroll, study, or graduate.
How is the diploma issued and verified?
A physical diploma is mailed to the address on file once the degree is conferred. A verifiable digital credential is also published to our certificate verification portal — anyone can confirm authenticity using the document number and the student’s name.
Can I transfer credits in or out?
Yes. Credits earned at accredited institutions are evaluated against the curriculum on a course-by-course basis. Outgoing credits are ECTS-aligned and accepted by partner universities for graduate study or transfer.
What is the time commitment per week?
A typical full-time term load is 12 credit hours and runs about 18–22 hours of study per week, including recorded lectures, readings, and assignments. Part-time pacing is supported — you set the load each term within your degree window.
What support do online students receive?
Each student is paired with an academic advisor at admission. You also have access to the digital library, an alumni mentor network, and admissions video sessions across timezones for any administrative question — every channel is online.
Is the program accredited?
Yes. The full list of accrediting bodies and partner memberships is maintained on our accreditation page and reviewed annually. The page is the canonical source — please refer to it for the most current accreditors.
Closing · Vol. II
Begin the next chapter — on your timezone.
Submit an application for Political Science and International Relations, or speak to admissions in a video session at a time that suits you.