SCHOOL OF DIPLOMACY

The School of Diplomacy and International Relations, established in 2006, at Burnett International University, to prepare students from around the world to become the next generation of global leaders. The department of Political Science offers a B.A. program which is designed to provide a board overview of discipline of political Science. The School’s academic programs provide students with critical knowledge and concrete skills essential to international careers in international business and finance, communications, and diplomacy, law and the nonprofit sector. Graduates can also seek employment with nonprofit international institutions, such as the United Nations or the World Bank.

Students participate in an innovative curriculum that educates students from a global perspective, with an emphasis on global studies, multilateral diplomacy, conflict resolution, international management, economics and leadership training. A distinguished faculty of scholars and professionals bring cutting-edge theory and practical perspectives to the classroom.

The government and politics major concentrates on the way the “rules of the game” are established for conflict resolution, and the processes by which conflicts in decision making are resolved or lead to forceful confrontation. Various forms of political institutions are examined with respect to making binding rules (legislation), applying them to ongoing activities (executive and administrative action), and settling disputes about the application of rules in particular situations (adjudication). Strong preparation in government and politics can lead to graduate study in political science, law, international affairs, public administration, urban government, city planning, community affairs, and policy analysis. The field can also lead to careers in the administration of business, government, hospitals, and other types of nonprofit organizations. The major is good preparation for journalism and for other public service-oriented professions.

 

PRE-LAW OPTION FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS MAJOR

Government and politics is one of the majors traditionally chosen by students interested in going to law school after completing their undergraduate education. By special arrangement with some University School of Law, government and politics majors may choose a “three-three” option whereby they use the first year at a University Law School in USA to complete the last year of their University undergraduate degree in government and politics.

All government and politics students considering the study of law should pursue the minor in legal studies and analysis offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. Students seeking further information on these programs and on preparation for law school admissions should contact the university’s prelaw advisor, Dean of Student Affairs Jean Mary Richard, and/or the prelaw advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences, Professor Henry Jean Pierre.

 

CREDIT FOR GRADUATE COURSE WORK

Undergraduate government and politics majors may petition the MPA Advisory Committee of the government and politics faculty to take a maximum of two 500-level public administration courses.

Students wishing to do so must have second-semester junior standing or above and must file a written petition with the government and politics faculty. Students will receive undergraduate government and politics credit as well as credit toward completion of the graduate MPA program for each MPA course they successfully complete.

A degree from the School of Diplomacy enables graduates to be effective and ethical leaders in their professional careers and to engage dynamically in the complexities of a global society.

 

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The undergraduate program is based on an interdisciplinary global studies curriculum with strong components of cultural understanding, international economics and leadership.

A comprehensive world languages program enables students to attain professional proficiency in multiple languages. All students complete a professional internship in order to gain an understanding of career opportunities available to them upon graduation.

The School of Diplomacy sponsors a study abroad program and regional study trips.

To attain the degree of Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations, students must complete the program for a total of 130 credits. While each student is guided by a faculty adviser of the School, the ultimate responsibility for complying with curriculum requirements rests with the student.

To complete degree requirements satisfactorily, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Transfer students should obtain academic advisement from the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students.

 

 

LAW SCHOOL 

The Burnett International University School of Law offers two postgraduate law programs, one leading to the degree of Master of Laws (LLM) and the other leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD). Students in these programs must have completed a law degree. Applicants from the United States for the LLM degree must hold the JD (Jurist Doctor) degree; international applicants or Haitian Lawyers for the LLM degree must have completed work comparable to that required of law graduates in the United States. The LLM is an advanced research degree, which provides applicants with an opportunity to study a particular area of law in much greater depth than is possible in the LLB program. There are a variety of reasons why students enter the LLM program. Some of our students are practicing lawyers who wish to specialize in a particular area of law, while others are preparing for careers as academic lawyers at universities throughout the world. Some LLM graduates will move directly into teaching positions, while others will pursue further studies as doctoral students in our university or at other universities.

LLM candidates must complete twenty-two (22) to twenty-six (26) hours of courses. Most of a LLM student’s time is spent researching and writing a master’s thesis under the supervision of a member of the faculty. The relationship between student and supervisor and the independent work of the student form the core of her or his education. In addition, students participate in the graduate seminar on legal theory and academic writing and take two or three courses, selected from the LLB curriculum or in other faculties. The LLM program is designed to last 12 months, but students may take more time writing the thesis. It is not uncommon for students to spend up to a year and a half in the program.