"Do something that matters."
That's how Brad McGuinn, senior lecturer in the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the University's Master of Arts in International Administration (M.A.I.A.) program—defines his mission.
Now that the M.A.I.A. program is launching online this fall, McGuinn, a double Miami alum who brings decades of experience in international security to the role, said the mission remains the same.
"I see the online program as an opportunity to bring the M.A.I.A. content to a larger audience," said McGuinn, who has lectured on political violence and insurgency issues to the U.S. military and law enforcement. His research includes Middle Eastern studies, civil-military relations, and political violence.
"We are very intentional about the professional application of this degree program," McGuinn said. "This means helping students align their career trajectory with their passion in life, whether it's humanitarian issues, questions of national security, running an NGO, or related field of interest."
Like the on-campus program, the online M.A.I.A. will blend academic insight with real-world strategy to prepare graduate students to lead in both public and private sectors. Enrollment for the online M.A.I.A. continues through Aug. 11. Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 18.
McGuinn said he is proud of the many students he has watched over the years move on from the M.A.I.A. program to put into practice that "deep sense of mission and commitment that they have."
Some of these graduates return to classes as guest speakers. That will be a component of the online program as well, McGuinn said.
"Through the example of their own careers, our alumni serve as points of inspiration for students who may not know quite yet what direction they want to take," he said.
"We may have a speaker discussing their day-to-day roles in emergency management, and a student might think, ‘Well, that person is about the same age as me, with similar education, maybe that is something I can do too.'"
Because of the experiences of the pandemic, McGuinn said online learning is no longer an "exotic" concept to him or most other faculty. In fact, he said the creation of an online degree has been an intriguing process for him, both as a professor and program director.
"I see it as an opportunity to rethink each course from the ground up," he said. "You will be in a different medium; there is meaningful collaboration with course designers and sensitivity to the online community. I found that to be a wonderful opportunity to rethink the procedures and processes that we use in person."
Working with UOnline to develop each course has been a positive and collaborative experience, McGuinn noted.
"Confidence and trust between people are critical to the success of any endeavor, and from the very beginning, I knew I was in good company with professionals who captured the essence of the M.A.I.A. program and would help guide me to create the best experience possible for our students."
McGuinn said he "looks forward to engaging a diverse community within the United States and abroad, making for fascinating discussions" in the online courses.
"Every class, whether online or in person, depends upon relationships, lines of conversation, and the general chemistry of the group," McGuinn said. "Based on students' geographic location, the online classes may benefit from a wonderful diversity of perspectives."
Whether online or on-campus, the M.A.I.A. program combines academic rigor with practical insights to engage pressing global issues, McGuinn said.
"We hope to provide our students with a holistic understanding of the landscape of security challenges and their administration, with the view of allowing our graduates to make valued contributions to the people and organizations they serve," he said.
"Through our courses and engagement with the M.A.I.A. community, students are provided pathways toward their career objectives with emphasis upon the identification, analysis and effective engagement of real-world problems."
