Master of Advanced Studies in International Affairs (MAS-IA)

The professionals who thrive in this program are driven problem solvers who want to create a better world. They’re curious, critical thinkers who break down silos.

Students must have a minimum of 5 years of work experience for this program; for those with less experience, we recommend our two-year, full-time Master of International Affairs or Master of Public Policy.

Approximately 30% of MAS-IA students are military officers, especially those representing the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army branches, while the remainder reflects diverse professional backgrounds, including market consultants, economists, analysts in policy, finance, or trade, foreign diplomats and ministry officials, and defense contracting analysts.

A majority of students are sponsored by their employer with the intention of returning and advancing within their current career, while a portion (about 20%) of graduates transition to a new career immediately after graduation.

The MAS-IA degree allows you to customize your studies through career tracks and regional specializations focused on Asia and the Americas. You will complete two foundational core courses, a capstone policy workshop, and specialized electives tailored to your career trajectory.

Career Tracks:

• International Relations
• International Political Economy
• International Public Policy
• Environmental Policy and Sustainability
• Security of the Asia-Pacific

Regional Specializations: Shape your expertise around the economies, politics and cultures of China, Japan, Korea, Latin America or Southeast Asia.

Foundational Core & Capstone Courses: Global Economics and Markets, Politics of International and National Policy Making and a Capstone Workshop on Policy Issues in the Pacific Rim

See the general catalog for a complete list of available courses. All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described are subject to change or deletion without notice. Course availability varies by academic quarter and year.

Please consult with a GPS academic advisor at gps-studentaffairs@ucsd.edu for real-time requirements, a full list of elective courses per areas of specialization and current course schedules.

No, the MAS-IA is an in-person degree program held on the UC San Diego campus. While some courses are held in the evening hours, most of the classes are during the day.

Yes, the program can be done in 9 Months (Full-Time) or 18 Months (Part-Time).

The MAS-IA curriculum has a total of 12 courses (48 credits), which is the same amount of coursework whether you enroll part-time or full-time. For full-time students, the degree takes one academic year to complete and requires that four courses be taken each quarter for three consecutive quarters (Fall, Winter and Spring). To accommodate working professionals, the program can be completed part-time in two years, with two courses taken each quarter for six quarters.

Please Note: only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for the part-time program; international students must enroll in full-time study to maintain non-immigrant (F-1 or J-1) status.

No, all MAS-IA students must begin in the fall quarter. Incoming students are required to take two core courses, Global Economics and Markets and Politics of International and National Policy Making, which serve as the foundation for the rest of the program. These courses are only available in the fall.

The MAS-IA is a self-supported program. Many students in the program receive partial or full employer funding. The GPS Admissions Committee evaluates every complete application submitted by Jan. 15 for fellowship awards. There is a limited number for this degree program.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens and residents complete the FAFSA application to be considered for federal loans. Learn more about financial aid and other financial resources.

International students can seek scholarship opportunities on popular databases as well as the U.S. Department of State.

The application portal opens on Sept. 2, 2026 for Fall 2027.

The deadline for early applications is Oct. 30; for standard applications, the deadline is Jan. 15.

After Jan. 15, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

All required application documents must be on file by the posted deadline. If documents are missing, your application may be moved to the next round. View application deadlines and requirements.

To get started on your Master of Advanced Studies in International Affairs (MAS-IA) application, keep these things in mind:

• Share your professional experience.
  • This degree is designed for people looking to augment their career skill set, so you need 5+ years of professional experience.
• Make the most of your statement of purpose.
  • Be clear about your goals.
  • Help us understand why now is the right time for you to earn this degree.
  • If you’ve been out of school for a while, talk about how you plan to get back into the academic groove.
• Submit academic transcripts and a letter of recommendation.
  • If you attended an undergraduate or graduate degree program, we’ll need to review your transcript.
  • If you didn’t perform well as an undergraduate, don’t lose heart. Use your essays to talk about what went wrong and where you are now.
  • Choose a recommender who knows you well and can speak to your potential.
• Prepare for a 30-minute interview.
  • We aim for interviews to be casual. It’s a great way to connect with staff on campus.
  • Be prepared to talk about your experience and provide examples of challenges you’ve faced and accomplishments you’ve achieved.
  • Feel free to bring your questions. It’s also a great time to learn more about the program.

This may seem like a lot, but we host regular workshops covering these items — and much more — in greater detail.

We invite you to explore additional admissions FAQs or contact Janaye Barker at jmbarker@ucsd.edu directly.