This concurrent degree program is offered in collaboration with the Department of Political Science. The program is open only to Political Science-International Affairs majors at UC San Diego.
The program incorporates graduate-level coursework into the final undergraduate year of study for a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science-International Affairs. The Master of International Affairs is awarded upon completion of an additional year of coursework as a matriculated graduate student at the School of Global Policy and Strategy.
In addition to the first year core courses that focus on the hard skills of economics, quantitative methods, and accounting and finance, and three additional classes in policy making in international affairs, students in the program select one career track and one country/regional specialization in the Asia-Pacific. All must also demonstrate a sixth quarter proficiency in a language that matches their chosen country/regional focus.
The program requires completion of a specified set of courses that show broad mastery of the political science discipline—two in international political economy, two in American politics, two in either international relations or comparative politics, and three upper division electives. The requirements are different than the standard Political Science major. The final undergraduate year incorporates eight graduate-level core classes at GPS. Details on the curriculum may be found here.
In order to meet the requirement of sixth quarter language proficiency, Political Science majors who are neither native speakers of an Asia-Pacific language nor have studied one will need to make certain they begin language classes in the fall of their senior year. It must match the student’s intended regional/country specialization.
The core curriculum is designed to integrate the diverse subject areas of international business, politics,
All Master of International Affairs candidates must complete the following courses with a C- or better. The courses listed below are completed in the first year of study.
Policy Making Processes: This course is designed to teach students how to “read” a country’s political and economic system. The course will examine how the evolution of different institutional frameworks in the countries of the Pacific region influences the way in which political choices are made.
Microeconomics for Policy and Management: This course introduces microeconomics, emphasizing applications to public policy. We examine tools such as marginal analysis and game theory to understand markets, the behavior of individuals and firms, and what role policy plays when markets fail to maximize social welfare.
International Economics: The theory and mechanics of international economics. Included will be such topics as real trade theory, international movements of capital, the effects of trade and capital flows on domestic economies, and policies toward trade and foreign investment.
International Politics and Security: Development of analytic tools for understanding international relations with applications to contemporary problems such as the environment, nuclear proliferation, human rights, humanitarian interventions and the roots of conflict and cooperation among countries.
Globalization, the World
Accounting and Finance for Policy Makers: This course covers concepts and applications of accounting and finance necessary for policymakers in for-profit,
Quantitative Methods I: This course is designed to provide proficiency in quantitative methods that are used for optimization and decision-making. The use of spreadsheets is applied to data analysis and problem-solving. Statistical theory and regression analysis are introduced.
Quantitative Methods II: This course covers elements
At least one of the following courses must be taken after satisfactory completion of all
Strategy and Negotiations: This class introduces the fundamentals of corporate strategy, based on case studies requiring corporate analysis; and the principles of negotiation, based on exercises and class learning. Both sections of this class are highly applied and require intensive out-of-class preparation and teamwork that help students acquire skills in analytical thinking, strategic action
Policy Responses to Global Problems: This capstone is designed to test the analytic skills acquired in the GPS program, using them to explain complex real-world problems: security, persistent recurring conflict, persistent inequality and intergenerational debt, women’s rights, environmental change, energy/resource systems, and financial contagion. Emphasis will be placed on determining the nature and dimension of the problem, exploring a range of solutions and assessing the capacity of public institutions. Non-GPS students may enroll with consent of instructor.
Evaluating Technological Problems: This capstone is intended as a culminating intellectual experience for students, particularly those in economics-oriented tracks. Students will learn to analyze “what works,” integrating a technical understanding of innovation with rigorous statistical analysis. The first half of the course focuses on building a set of science/engineering tools, and the second half focuses on building statistical tools of analysis. Letter grades only. Prerequisites: GPEC 446 or consent of instructors.
Real-World Projects in Energy and the Environment: The course emphasizes real-world application of theories and methods for policy analysis to projects with real clients. The class includes case studies and seminar-style discussions of topics like project finance and management of regulatory risk. Most of the class will be devoted to working in small teams with clients seeking strategic guidance.
Career tracks are designed for Master of International Affairs students to acquire expertise in a functional area of their choice and consist of five courses from a prescribed list: two required and three electives. Students will choose one of the following career tracks:
Sample Classes
Sample Classes
Sample Classes
Sample Courses
Sample Classes
Note: Course schedules are published on a quarterly basis and are subject to change without notice. Some elective courses that can be applied to meet career track requirements may not be offered in a given academic quarter or academic year. See the UC San Diego General Catalog.
Dual specialization requires the student to complete the coursework and language requirement for both regions.
Courses taken for a country/regional specialization may not be double counted.
Students will choose one of the following country/regional specializations:
The language must match the cchool’s country/regional specializations.
Country/Regional Specialization
Students must complete a minimum of four (4) quarters of a foreign language in order to meet the B.A. requirement. Two (2) additional quarters are required for the MIA. It is recommended, but not required that students complete all six (6) quarters at the undergraduate level.
All language courses taken before matriculating into graduate standing must earn a letter grade of C- or better or Pass (P) grade.
The foreign language requirement may be satisfied in one of four ways:
