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.
About The Patterson School
Four Concentrations
We have always focused on both diplomacy and international commerce. In this framework, we encourage students to choose two of the four concentrations as their major and minor.
Beyond this academic construct, our perspective consistently has been one that embraced teaching theory and practice. Our faculty includes outstanding scholars and practitioners, and our curriculum encompasses not just classroom work, but firsthand exposure to business and the professional world. Perhaps the most unique aspect is the intimate size of our program and the close connections established between students and faculty.
30
Credit Hours
Complete your MA majoring in any of our four concentrations.
What do Patterson School students typically do with their degrees?
Whatever they want. Our curriculum prepares students for a wide range of professional positions. Patterson's American graduates can be found throughout the US government (Foreign Service, USAID, intelligence community, defense, Capitol Hill, Treasury, FBI, Homeland Security), the NGO community, and in private enterprise. Our foreign students follow similar paths, with many working in their respective country's diplomatic corps (Korean Ambassador to the US, Gabon Ambassador to the Benelux and EU, deputy foreign minister, UN Permanent Representative) and Ministries of Economics (El Salvador) or Finance (Afghanistan, Zambia), international development banks, UN specialized agencies, and NGOs. Although they follow no typical path, most Patterson students share a passion for learning and a desire not simply to master international affairs and land a great job, but to make the world better.
My first piece of advice to any student considering international relations would be to make sure you know what you want to do in terms of your concentration. Once you know what it is you would like to do, your future job hunt will be more fruitful.
Vivianne Leonard
Alumna, 2021
Faculty congratulate 2023 graduate Kyle Hosey.
Weaver
Local Faculty, Global Experience
Our core faculty—comprised of scholars and former officials from the worlds of diplomacy, development, defense, commerce and intelligence—remain close to the policymaking process, bringing real world, real time experience to the classroom. They travel to Washington, New York, London, Brussels and Beijing (but also Israel, Turkey, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Taiwan), criss-crossing the country and globe, consulting, conducting research or advancing special projects for the US government, United Nations, European Commission or the NGO community.
60
Years of Patterson history
Established in 1959, the Patterson legacy is rich and deep.
History and Leadership
The vision to create a school of diplomacy and international commerce came from Dr. James Kennedy Patterson, the first president of the University of Kentucky. Long an advocate for greater American engagement with the world, Patterson saw the 1898 Spanish-American War as evidence that a new school was needed that "shall have for its special object the preparation of young men for the diplomatic and consular service of the United States. It shall also provide special training for those who may seek employment in extending upon rational and scientific lines the commercial relations of America." Patterson took as his model the programs then being established in Europe and at Harvard, Chicago, Georgetown and Yale.
Amry Vandenbosch studies
University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The state’s flagship University consists of 16 academic and professional colleges where students can choose from more than 200 majors and degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Graduate School prepares the next generation of business, industry, and academic leaders. Supporting and emboldening our scholarly community is a comprehensive research library system made up of nine facilities, including the world-class William T. Young library.
Lexington, Kentucky
Surrounded by rolling hills and scenic horse farms of the Bluegrass, Lexington, Kentucky is known for its natural beauty and moderate weather.
At over 320,000 people, Lexington supports myriad cultural attractions, including an opera, multiple ballet companies, Broadway theater productions, a philharmonic orchestra, and countless art galleries. The city is alive with talented bluegrass, country, jazz, blues, and rock musicians.
In addition to being the world center of the thoroughbred racehorse breeding industry, central Kentucky is home to major corporations such as Ashland , Yum!, Big Ass Solutions, Toyota USA, Alltech, Lexmark International, Tempur-Pedic International, and Link-Belt. Nevertheless, Lexington maintains the ambience and charm of a university town, with the offerings of a much larger city.
Come see Patterson for yourself
All diplomacy begins with introductions. You'll get no better sense of what this program and place is like from the outside. Travel, meet, tell us about yourself.