最初设计于三十年前，旨在为首都地区的现役军人提供高级教育支持，现在国际事务硕士计划为联邦和地方政府机构雇用的所有武装部队和平民的现役和预备役人员提供此支持以及私营企业和非营利组织。在傍晚的校外活动中，在联合车站和国会山附近的州议会厅上课。小班授课有利于学生彼此之间以及与导师之间的交流。该计划将备受推崇的国际知名学者与在各自领域具有丰富实践经验的成功人士融合在一起。攻读硕士学位的学生必须完成至少30个学期的课程。
The Politics Department of The Catholic University of America (CUA) offers a unique program leading to a Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs (MAIA).The Department also offers a Graduate Certificate in International Affairs which requires fewer courses. Originally designed over three decades ago to provide advanced degree educational support to active duty military in the National Capital Region, the program now provides this support to active and reserve members of all the armed services and civilians employed by federal and local government agencies as well as private businesses and non-profit organizations. Graduates of the program can be found in senior public and private positions that literally span the globe. Graduates hold command and staff positions throughout the military services and have been Fellows for the Council on Foreign Relations, Defense Attachés, Senior Fellows at Harvard University, special assistants to Presidential Cabinet Secretaries, senior staff for Members of Congress and congressional committees, and advisors to foreign governments.