Get your Master's Degree Major in Diplomacy, Security, Commerce, or Development

2024 ISCNE Anne Ngarhasta — Anne Ngarhasta takes charge at the 2024 Crisis Simulation.

Mark Mahan

Masters in Diplomacy and International Commerce

The Patterson School curriculum is carefully designed to prepare exceptional students for careers in international affairs. If you are a high achiever, bring passion to learning, flourish in a rigorous academic environment, and intend to operate on the world stage, this may be your place. Our master's program will provide you with the fundamental skills you need to successfully pursue professional work in either the public, private, or non-profit sectors.

Four concentrations

Diplomacy

International Commerce

International Organizations and Development

International Security and Intelligence

Fall Conference 2025 - China

Oct 9, 2025, 5:00 PM – Oct 10, 2025, 5:00 PM

— Keynote Address — Brad Farnsworth, Principle at Fox Hollow Advisory Brad Farnsworth has more than three decades of experience as a campus leader, instructor, and association executive.  A recognized authority on China, he has travelled there since the early 1980s, and he maintains strong connections with Chinese universities and the Chinese government. 

2025 Negotiation Simulation - Korean Peninsula

Sep 26, 2025, 12:00 PM – Sep 27, 2025, 3:00 PM

This fall, students, faculty, and alums participated in the U.S. Army War College's ISCNE simulation on the Korean Peninsula. Teams were set a few days before the event, with students suddenly taking on the role of major superpowers as they navigate the political unrest that is ever bubbling along the DMZ.

Patterson Open Houses - January 8th (online) and January 22nd (in-person)

Jan 8, 2026, 6:00 – 7:00 PM

The Patterson School will be hosting two open houses in January. Our first open house will be held on January 8th, from 6-7PM (EST). This Open House will be online via zoom. This the zoom link for that event.

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Upcoming Events

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Learning beyond the curriculum

Visiting Speakers

Patterson students are frequently visited by special guest speakers: admirals, presidents, intelligence experts, diplomats and leaders of international NGOs. Quite often an international expert is sharing a room with 35 our brightest.

24 10 15 ISCNE Crisis Sim Room, three students discuss

Diplomacy Simulations

Each fall, we host the U.S. Army War College's International Strategic Crisis Exercise team for fast-paced two day simulation of a real world diplomatic crisis. Students form teams, act as diplomats, and try to negotiate a way forward.

2024 ISCNE: Central Asia

2022 Fall ISCNE: South China Sea

2022 Spring Crisis Simulation: Migration Crisis, Latin America

Fall Conference

Patterson brings experts in international issues from around the globe to speak share a room solely with Patterson students and discuss some of the most pressing issues in trade, development, security and the shifting balance of international power in a day long event. Four panels of practitioners, ambassadors, military officials, and global leaders, are up close and personal. Students will meet, mingle, and engage them in this exclusive event.

60 Years of history

Established in 1959, the Patterson legacy is rich and deep.

35 Spring cohort size

At this size, each student has unparalleled access to faculty and resources.

18 Months

Three semesters of coursework, summer reading, travel, crisis simulations, speakers and more.