The Master of International Affairs (MIA) is a two-year, full-time degree program, focusing on the Americas and Asia.
GPS students develop invaluable global perspectives through engaging with a diverse range of people and ideologies, sculpting skills and sensibilities that will shape future political and economic policies and strategies.
Our faculty consists of leaders in public policy, global politics, international security, business and economics and environmental sustainability.
Our high-performing students—attracted to the School from around the globe—explore a variety of career paths at GPS through dynamic case studies assigned by industry-leading scholars, quantitative analyses of real-world challenges and professional internships.
Master of International Affairs graduates pursue careers in global business, diplomacy, non-profits, regional development and more. Our alumni network spans more than 80 countries, maintaining GPS connections all over the world.
From the classroom to internships to the workplace and beyond, we understand your goals in international policy and practice. Let GPS be the catalyst that takes you there.
Program Overview
In addition to core classes, Master of International Affairs students in the program select one career track and one country/regional specialization: China, Korea, Japan, Latin America or Southeast Asia. Language acquisition is a key element of the curriculum.
Core Curriculum
The core curriculum is designed to integrate the diverse subject areas of international business, politics, economics, and development.
Core Courses
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
Microeconomics for Policy and Management
International Economics
International Politics and Security
Globalization, the World System, and the Pacific
Finance and Accounting for Policy Makers
Quantitative Methods I
Quantitative Methods II
Capstone Courses
At least one of the following courses must be taken after satisfactory completion of all first-year core courses.
Strategy and Negotiations
Policy Responses to Global Problems
Evaluating Technological Problems
Career Track Requirement
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:
International Development and Nonprofit Management
Supplies students with a solid foundation for careers with nongovernmental organizations in international development through the dual focus on development and nonprofit management.
Provides theoretical and quantitative tools to understand and evaluate policy in development contexts, as nonprofit organizations play a major role in the development arena.
Sample Classes
Economic Development
Program Design and Evaluation
Quantitative Methods III
Sustainable Development
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Food Security
Topics in China’s Development
Human Rights, Public Policy, and International Politics
Corporate Social Responsibility
International Economics
Provides preparation for careers in economic policy, research, international trade, and business.
Courses in international economics, politics and political economy supply analytical tools for solving international policy and economic challenges.
Sample Classes
Fiscal and Monetary Policy
Topics in International Trade
Economic Policy in Latin America
Economics of Trade Policy
Cost-Benefit Analysis
East Asian Economics
Quantitative Methods III
Corruption
International Political Economy
International Management
Provides preparation for careers in international business.
Courses in international economics, politics and political economy supply analytical tools for solving the distinctive problems of international business.
A combination of focused management training and broad exposure to global business and economics produces a unique international business education.
Sample Courses:
International Business
Technology and Operations Management
Organizations
Applied Financial Accounting
Corporate Finance
Comparative Market Institutions
Government and Regulation
Multi-National Corporations
Game Theory and Strategy
Product Development
International Politics
Prepares students for employment in a wide range of professional positions: government, international organizations such as the United Nations, consulting firms, public interest organizations and nonprofit research institutes.
Provides a conceptual foundation for analyzing and understanding the political, economic and military components of international policymaking, as well as expertise on specific economic and security issues.
Sample Classes:
International Law and Regulation
Cyber Security
Making U.S. Foreign Policy
Post-War Politics in Japan
Democratization in Latin America
Korean Security
Cuba: Revolution and Reform
Political Economy of Authoritarian Regimes
Debating U.S. Security Policy
Financing the Chinese Miracle
International Environmental Governance
Provides preparation for careers with a wide range of environmental organizations: government agencies, international organizations, nonprofits, consulting firms, and corporations.
Provides knowledge of environmental policy while developing expertise in a disciplinary field: environmental economics, politics and the environment, business and the environment or environmental negotiations.
Sample Classes:
International Environmental Policy and Politics
Environmental and Regulatory Economics
Political Economy of Energy in Asia
Non-Market Valuation
International Politics of Energy Policy
Economics of Energy Policy
Advanced Energy Systems and Policy
Sustainable Development
Corporate Social Responsibility
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Country/Regional Specialization Requirement
The country/regional specializations were established in recognition of the growing importance of the Pacific region to the U.S. and the world, and have two components:
Two designated courses: one on the economy and a second on the political system of the region.
A language requirement.
Students will choose one of the following country/regional specializations:
China
Japan
Korea
Latin America
Southeast Asia
Language Requirement
The language must match the student’s country/regional specialization.
