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

Currently Accepting Applications for Fall 2025

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

Robert Edwin Kelly, and his daughter Marion

Guest Speaker: Robert E. Kelly

Dec 2, 2024, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Dr. Robert E. Kelly is a professor of political science and diplomacy at Pusan National University in South Korea. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from Ohio State University in 2005, with a focus on international relations and political theory. His research and teaching interests include international relations theory in East Asia, U.S. foreign policy in Asia, Korean foreign policy, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank and IMF.

UK Law Hosts Ambassador John Sullivan

Nov 4, 2024, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Ambassador John Sullivan will be doing a pre-event, smaller group conversation with students from UK Rosenberg College of Law and UK Patterson School of Diplomacy who may be interested in being a diplomat, pursuing a career in foreign service, and discussing general professional development.

Latin America's New Solitude: Dr. Jorge G. Castaneda

Oct 17, 2024, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Join us this Thursday Oct 17th at the Singletary Center Recital Hall to hear Dr. Jorge G. Castaneda discuss Latin America's "New Solititude."

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Upcoming Events

Patterson Open House

Jan 22, 2025, 5:00 – 8:00 PM

UKinSPIRE Workshop - How Digital Standards and Geopolitics Shape Competition and Collaboration in the Global Economy

Jan 24, 2025, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

The workshop is focused on work that explores how digital standards shape geopolitical competition and the global economy.

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.