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

Patterson 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.

Meet the new Director of the Patterson School Dr. Joe Young!

Nov 1, 2024

Faculty

The Patterson School would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Director Dr. Joe Young! Dr. Young is coming to us from American University where he has held a number of leadership positions over the past 14 years in several different schools.

Room with seated students watching opening announcements about ISCNE.

Experiences 2024 Negotiation Simulation: Central Asia was a success! Students practice Diplomacy with the US Army War College

Oct 13, 2024

Simulation

Students, faculty, alumni and special guests, the U.S. Army War College's ISCNE team gathered in Patterson Hall Friday afternoon to begin this year's negotiation simulation. The exercise actually begins a few days ahead of the kickoff as teams are assembled, mentors recruited, and packets of background material are distributed. Students quickly must come to understand the region and the issues that the region faces as they prepare their strategies for tackling real-world international issues.

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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.