Highlights:

• A two-year program providing academic and methodological training;
• One full academic year at UNC-CH;
• Second academic year at the VU University Amsterdam (all classes offered in English) OR the UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA (UPF) in Barcelona (all classes offered in English);
• Students earn either MA in Political Science from UNC, the 'MSc in Social Research' from VU Amsterdam, or the UPF Master in Political and Social Sciences.

Research Track

This research-focused track of TAM provides outstanding academic and methodological training. The program prepares graduates for Ph.D. or research-related fields, but graduates will also pursue careers with public service groups or in marketing or public opinion.

The TAM research track is a two-year program. Students begin by studying for one full academic year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They will then go on to complete a second year of study and research at the VU University Amsterdam OR the UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA (UPF) in Barcelona. All classes will be offered in English. Coursework will focus on European governance, and there will be an emphasis on qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Students will pursue a 120-ECTS, MA-level program, "European Governance with a Comparative Focus." While at UNC-CH in the fall semester, students will take required courses as well as electives; they will also participate in the Speakers Series offered by the Center for European Studies. Courses will focus on such topics as comparative politics of industrial societies, comparative social policy, democratization, the European Union, and multilevel governance. At least one of these fall classes will offer training in research design/methods. During fall break, students will travel to Washington, DC for site visits and an annual TAM alumni / current student gathering. Required and elective courses will be offered in the spring.

UNC's academic year ends in early May. Students will be encouraged to pursue academically relevant summer internships in DC or Brussels. Some internship guidance will be offered at the UNC site.

After the summer, fall coursework will resume in Amsterdam or in Barcelona. At the VU University in Amsterdam, students can specialize in comparative politics/multilevel governance or in International Relations/transnational governance. The second semester will focus on thesis preparation and research design.

Upon completion of coursework and a thesis, students will earn either a Master of Arts in Political Science from UNC, an 'MSc in Social Research' from the VU University Amsterdam, or the UPF Master in Political and Social Sciences.