Nurturing future diplomats, global policymakers, and leaders in West Africa for nearly four decades. Grounded in academic excellence, rigorous research, and cross-cultural expertise.
Credit Hours
Concentrations
MA Program
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Graduate Program in International Studies at the University of Liberia was inaugurated in 1988, commemorating Brigadier General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former Head of State of Nigeria.
This historic academic initiative emerged from a bilateral agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Liberia during the tenure of President Samuel Kanyon Doe. The program offers a comprehensive focus on International Relations, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, and Government, fostering academic specialization in these key areas.
For nearly four decades, our master’s program in international relations has been instrumental in opening doors to an array of career opportunities—including diplomacy, journalism, international business, negotiation, and conflict transformation with focus on social, political, cultural, economic, environmental, security, and other issues that extend beyond borders, shared territories, and across the African continent.
Most of our international relations students enroll in our program with a vision to either advance their careers or make a career change. As a result, they are putting their global understanding and policy training to work in a variety of public service, corporate, and nonprofit industries at home and abroad.
Academic Concentrations
Students choose from one of the following concentrations:
a) International Development Studies
b) Peace and Security Studies
c) Comparative Government and Politics
d) Public Policy
A major expansion for our program shall see the elevation of the master’s degree in international relations to a Ph.D. program in the near future. This will prepare scholars to:
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida School of International Studies (IBBSIS) envisions becoming a leading hub of international academic excellence in West Africa and across the globe. We are committed to nurturing future leaders, policymakers, and global influencers who are well-equipped to shape international affairs, diplomacy, governance, development, and human rights.
Our mission rests on a foundation of rigorous research, transformative pedagogy, and community-centered service. IBBSIS seeks to launch innovative graduate programs, including our landmark Ph.D. initiative, that tackle pivotal global challenges. Through an interdisciplinary and experiential learning model, we cultivate critical thinking, intellectual engagement, and cross-cultural understanding.
IBBSIS is committed to offering a dynamic and flexible curriculum tailored to diverse career goals. Our graduate programs allow students to specialize in areas such as Development Studies, Leadership & Governance, and Human Rights & Humanitarian Law. Through our robust network of institutional partners, students benefit from experiential training, policy-based research, and real-world diplomatic exposure.
Community Engagement & Partnerships
Fostering meaningful, equitable, and sustainable collaborations with local, national, and international institutions.
We recognize the transformative power of partnerships and community engagement. At IBBSIS, we actively collaborate with government agencies, diplomatic missions, civil society organizations, and international entities to co-create solutions to contemporary global issues. Through academic exchange, joint research, and collaborative programming, our students gain invaluable exposure to real-world international affairs.
The school organizes public lectures, policy discussions, and media engagement activities to foster dialogue on pressing issues in governance, diplomacy, and global development. At the national level, we actively collaborate with think tanks, corporations, and public agencies to incorporate applied knowledge into our curriculum and research.
IBB Curriculum/ Course offerings
Program Structure
The program is structured to include a range of credit requirements for each qualification:
– MA: Requires a minimum of 40 Credit hours of Course work plus 6 Credit hours of Graduate thesis work for a total of 46 Credit hours.
Credits are allocated to quantify the volume and complexity of learning. They reflect the academic rigor, material coverage, and instructional hours needed within a week, as determined by the University’s Academic Coordination Committee or the National Commission on Higher Education.
Provisional Courses
A set of Provisional Courses are on offer at the IBB School for students without a background in Political Science.
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Political Science | PAIA 300 |
| History of Political Thought | PAIA 302 |
| Introduction to Social Science Research | PAIA 304 |
| Introduction to Comparative Government & Politics | PAIA 350 |
| YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| POSC500 | International Law | 3 |
| POSC503 | Approaches to the Study of International Relations | 3 |
| POSC505 | Approaches to the Study of Political Theory | 3 |
| POSC512 | Government and Politics of Contemporary Africa | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
| YEAR1 SEMESTER 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| POSC507 | Comparative Government and Politics | 3 |
| POSC510 | Political Economy of Development | 3 |
| POSC515 | Development Policy Studies | 3 |
| POSC601 | International Organizations | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
| YEAR 2 SEMESTER 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| POSC508 | Quantitative Political Analysis | 3 |
| POSC606 | Diplomacy and Negotiation | 3 |
| POSC 602 | Foreign Policy Formulation and Implementation | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| YEAR 2 SEMESTER 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| POSC509 | Research Method for Social Science | 3 |
| POSC613 | Decision Making in International Politics( seminar) | 4 |
| POSC700 | Master’s Thesis | 6 |
| Total | 13 | |
Review detailed admission requirements and prepare your application portfolio for enrollment at Liberia's premier graduate school.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher (Provisional admission with CGPA of 2.7 to 2.99).
Pass the University of Liberia’s Graduate Entrance Exam or the General Graduate Record Examination (GGRE).
Social Science background (Or complete four non-credit prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of 'B').
Prospective students are required to submit the following:
Our faculty comprises esteemed academics, public servants, diplomats, and international policy experts with decades of experience in teaching, governance, and global affairs. Their research and professional insights shape national and regional policy and enrich student learning.
Director, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Graduate School
IBBGSIS
Instructor and Advisor, IBB Graduate School
IBBGSIS
Associate Professor
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Assistant Professor
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DIPLOMACY
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