Master of Science in International Political Economy The University of Texas at Dallas

In today’s world, politics and the economy are intertwined. The MS in International Political Economy degree offers preparation to succeed in this dynamic, global workforce. Students will develop critical skill sets necessary to meet the needs and demands of the international diplomatic and business sectors, which include critical thinking skills, knowledge of multiple cultures and cultural contexts, rigorous research skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in an array of environments.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Science in International Political Economy is to offer experience in interdisciplinary education and policy research through activities in graduate education, scholarly and applied inquiry, and professional service. Today, more careers increasingly require international knowledge and skills that transcend the confines of traditional disciplinary training. We prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and practice in a variety of both academic and non-academic public policy and political economy settings. The Master of Science in International Political Economy will develop students' critical skill sets to meet the needs and demands of the international diplomatic and business sectors. These skills include critical thinking, knowledge of multiple cultures and cultural contexts, rigorous research skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in an array of environments. Students will be prepared to advance careers in policy and data analysis, and administrative positions in government, the nonprofit and the private sectors.

Prerequisites

While there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from exposure to undergraduate courses in economics, political sciences, sociology, college algebra, statistics, public policy, and research design. Students are strongly encouraged to strengthen their foreign language skills.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking a Master of Science in International Political Economy must complete at least 36 semester credit hours of work in the program. The program has four components:

1. Eighteen semester credit hours of required coursework
2. Twelve semester credit hours of prescribed electives
3. Six semester credit hours of free electives
4. Students must demonstrate a foreign language proficiency equivalent to two years of university-level study in one foreign language before graduation.

Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their graduate courses in the degree program, including core courses. If placed on probation, students will have one semester to bring their cumulative grade point average to a 3.0 or greater. Any student who receives two Cs will no longer be allowed to continue in the program.

I. Major Required Courses: 18 semester credit hours

All students should complete the core courses as soon as possible.

Economic Theory Core (take one course from the following):

• PPPE 6321 Economics for Public Policy
• PPPE 6365 The Innovation Economy

Methods Core (Algebra-based or Calculus-based)

• Algebra-based series
  • EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
  • EPPS 6316 Applied Regression
• or
• Calculus-based series
  • EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
  • EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis
  • Choose one course from the following:
    • PPPE 6352 World Political Economy
    • PSCI 6309 International Political Economy
  • Choose one course from the following:
    • PPPE 6319 Political Economy of MNCs
    • PPPE 6335 Institutions and Development
    • PPPE 6362 Political Development
    • PPPE 6368 Political Economy of Finance
    • PSCI 6309 International Political Economy
    • PSCI 6316 International Organizations
    • PPPE 6370 Political Economy of Natural Resources
  • Choose one course from the following:
    • PPPE 7V76 Policy Research Workshop in Development Studies
    • PPPE 6310 Research Design I
    • EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
    • EPPS 7304 Cost-Benefit Analysis

Students may request that alternative courses be substituted in the core with the approval of the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.

II. Prescribed Electives: 12 semester credit hours

Students complete 12 semester credit hours of Prescribed Electives. These consist of:

An area field in which the student completes two courses (six semester credit hours) in history, advanced language, or area studies courses that address a single region, including Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East/Greater Asia.

A theme field in which the student completes two courses (six semester credit hours) in development, international business, and public policy, or international conflict and security.

Development

• PPPE 6354 Theories and Issues of Development
• PPPE 6335 Institutions and Development
• PPPE 6343 Global Health Policy*
• PPPE 6352 World Political Economy*
• PPPE 6359 Political Economy of Economic Development
• PPPE 6362 Political Development
• PPPE 6363 Conflict and Development*
• PPPE 6367 Environmental Economics and Policy
• PPPE 6370 Political Economy of Natural Resources*
• PPPE 6371 Urban Development
• PPPE 6372 Faith, Ideology, and Development
• PPPE 6392 Practice of International Development
• Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.

International Conflict and Security

• PPPE 6361 Civil Conflict
• PPPE 6369 National and International Security Strategies and Policies
• PPPE 6363 Conflict and Development*
• PSCI 6300 Proseminar in Comparative Politics and International Relations
• PSCI 6306 Human Rights and International Law
• PSCI 7318 Conflict Management
• PSCI 7330 International Conflict
• PSCI 7335 Theories of International Relations
• PPPE 7313 Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency
• Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.

International Political Economy

• PSCI 6309 International Political Economy
• PPPE 6319 Political Economy of MNCs
• PPPE 6352 World Political Economy*
• PPPE 6368 Political Economy of Finance*
• PPPE 6370 Political Economy of Natural Resources*
• PSCI 6316 International Organizations
• Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.

International Business and Public Policy

• PPPE 6319 Political Economy of MNCs*
• PPPE 6359 Political Economy of Economic Development
• PPPE 6365 The Innovation Economy
• PPPE 6353 Industry, Technology, and Science Policy
• PPPE 6368 Political Economy of Finance*
• PPPE 6373 Issues in Science, Technology and Society
• IMS 6204 Global Business (2 semester credit hours)
• IMS 6212 Global Communication and Negotiations (2 semester credit hours)
• IMS 6365 Cross-Culture Communication and Management
• Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.
• Other policy-related field areas proposed by the student and approved by the Program Head are possible.

Courses in both the area fields and theme fields must have the approval of the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies. Internships and independent studies may count toward either area or theme fields, with the permission of the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.

III. Elective Courses: 6 semester credit hours

Students also select an additional six semester credit hours of coursework. Students may select courses from those courses not selected under Major Required Courses.

* Courses that count for multiple fields can only be applied to one field, and may not be double-counted in two fields for an individual student or may not count for both a field and a core.

• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply social science and international political economy theories and concepts.
• Students will develop competency in advanced methods of social science and international political economy research and analysis.
• Students will develop basic skills in professional communication appropriate to international political economy research and analysis.
• Students will develop competency in analysis, evaluation, and research design relevant to social science and international political economy research and analysis.

Our interdisciplinary degree offers critical analysis and communication skills and internships that will help you succeed regardless of the changes in the world around you. Students will be prepared for careers in policy and data analysis and administrative positions in government, nonprofit and private sectors, as well as numerous other careers in the ever-changing workforce.