Welcome to GPS, a genuine global community dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through teaching, research and engagement.

The School is internationally recognized for its expertise on the Pacific—the Americas and Asia—and we seek to be the home of students, alumni, scholars and leaders from around the world who value tackling global and Pacific challenges with meticulous analysis and a passion for problem-solving.

Leveraging our West Coast location and UC San Diego’s renowned programs in science and technology, GPS develops new analytic tools with practical applications, while rigorously training the next generation of global leaders. We embed in our curriculum advanced methods to design, test, evaluate and refine solutions for global societies in the 21st century, teach about the great questions facing the world and prepare our students to identify which results are more likely to work. Our alumni have assumed positions of leadership in businesses, governments and nonprofits in more than 80 countries across the globe.

Who We Are

We are a true global society of faculty, staff, students and community partners dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through education and research — all with an eye on building a Pacific community. The school is anchored in the reputation and successes of UC San Diego and the University of California system. We are guided by individuals who strive to maintain a climate of fairness, cooperation and professionalism that is embodied in our ethical principles. Furthermore, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential ingredients of academic excellence.

Our History

While our School stands among the world’s top graduate schools of international relations and is the established leader in its focus on Asia and the Americas, this is only part of the story. It is also anchored in the reputation and successes of the University of California, San Diego and the University of California system as a whole.

We are the public policy leader at one of the nation’s most accomplished universities, with an integrated faculty from the well-recognized UC San Diego fields of international relations, political science and economics, where professors are among the top 10 in the country in their respective disciplines. We have the sixth largest research and development budget among American universities, and we have many Nobel Prize laureates. We are proud to be ranked as the number one college in the nation for the fifth consecutive year based on research, civic engagement and social mobility.

GPS At A Glance from GPS Communications on Vimeo.

Faculty

Students have unmatched access to internationally renowned faculty who integrate rigorous scholarship with an enthusiasm for teaching and active engagement in and out of the classroom. They are leaders in research ranging from the resolution of civil wars to implications of the changing pattern of international trade; from domestic politics to finance and business in Pacific countries; and from the foreign policy of China to the evaluation of anti-poverty, public health and environmental programs in developing economies. Learn more about the range and depth of their vast research interests today.

Staff

Our staff is dedicated to supporting faculty, students and friends of the School with valuable, innovative, and timely services. They are committed to the goal of attracting, developing and retaining a diverse and outstanding faculty as well as a student body capable of upholding leadership positions in today's competitive international arena. Discover the listing of departments and staff members.

Advisory Board

The International Advisory Board was formed in 1986 to aid the dean in achieving the vision and mission of the School. Members provide counsel on current issues that affect our role as an established leader in the region. A list of current and emeritus members is listed below.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion are defining features of the school, UC San Diego and the entire University of California system. They are critical elements to a productive and innovate environment, and we embrace them all as sources of strength.

Our differences — of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, socioeconomic status, abilities, experience and more — enhance our ability to achieve our core mission of public service, teaching and research. We welcome faculty, staff and students from all backgrounds and want everyone to feel respected and valued.

Additionally, UC San Diego has many resources that support the recruitment and retention of historically underserved populations, deepen understanding and challenge misconceptions surrounding diversity, and develop proactive leaders who advocate for inclusion.

Students Devoted to Inclusion

Meet two newly formed student groups at the school devoted to inclusion. In addition, led by the Pacific International Affairs Student Organization (PIASO), there are several other regionally and professionally focused student groups that enrich the campus climate.

QuIRPS

The mission of QuIRPS is to foster community among queer and non-queer members of the School and raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people around the world, as well as professional development for queer students and allies.

Women Going Global

The mission of Women Going Global is to increase awareness and the development of women in future leadership roles within international professional and academic realms. The group offers an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and the greater San Diego community to exchange in discourse that promotes women’s issues on a global level.

You are welcome to contact us directly by phone (858-534-5914) or email (gps-apply@ucsd.edu)