International Affairs Program Spotlight

At a time of dramatic political, economic, social, and technological change, the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs is dedicated to delivering programs in education, research, and public outreach that provide a greater understanding of the factors that shape the world in which we live and work. The Nunn School is the only one of its kind at a leading technology institute. The School strives to connect learning and experience through its interdisciplinary degree programs, policy-relevant research with a strong theoretical foundation, and regular interaction with practitioners.

Founded in 1990 as part of the Ivan Allen College, the School enrolls more than 300 undergraduates in its Bachelor of Science program and more than 60 master's degree candidates in its professional degree program. To enhance the regular curricula with rigorous overseas experiences, the School offers summer study abroad programs in Belgium, China, Costa Rica, Argentina and Brazil. Additional study abroad opportunities exist with the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) and the Modern Languages Department. The School assists with and encourages internships in the private sector, government, or international organizations to provide relevant work experience.

Eighteen faculty members pursue an active research agenda focused on international political economy and international security. Among the faculty's areas of expertise are international negotiation, global modeling, East Asia, trade and technology transfer, modernization and development, European politics and markets, arms control and proliferation, global capital markets, U.S. foreign policy, and science, technology and international affairs. Students often work closely with faculty on their research.

The School contributes to the growing internationalization of Atlanta and the region. Our outreach programs include an annual policy forum drawing academic, government, and private sector experts to campus to analyze issues of national and international importance. This forum, named in honor of Senator Sam Nunn, has investigated questions such as domestic terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and information security and the economy. The School also cosponsors programs with the European Union Center, CIBER, the Center for International Strategy, Technology & Policy, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Southern Center for International Studies, and other organizations.

In the future, the School will expand the size of its degree programs, offer new overseas and internship opportunities to its undergraduates and graduates and build closer ties with partners in the worlds of academia, policy, and business.