International Political Economy Concentration

From the Euro to the yen, today’s global economy operates in a climate of change. The international global political economy (IPE) major teaches students to understand globalization and the role the state plays, as well as market strategies for corporations and their corporate identities. Courses target competencies in finance, economics, international trade and development. Specific topics range from the work of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to political climates in post-Communist states and the role of women in developing countries.

IPE students are idealistic, curious about the world and eager to put their vision into practice. Recent graduates include a treasury expert with the Republic of Turkey, a project manager specialist for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Mission in Moscow, a presidential management fellow with the U.S. Department of Commerce, and a United Nations Fulbright Fellow with the Department of Social and Economic Affairs.

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Download Plan of Study beginning Fall 2025 »

GSPIA Core Classes (12 credits)

    Quantitative Methods
    Macroeconomics
OR
    Microeconomics
    Public Policy Analysis
    Capstone Seminar
OR
    Thesis
Internship Requirement: All students must complete an approved internship of at least 300 hours while enrolled at GSPIA. The internship must be approved by the student’s career advisor in advance. Students with at least three years of relevant full‐time work experience may petition their career advisor for a waiver of this requirement during their first semester.

MPIA Degree Core Classes (6 credits)

    International Affairs
    International Political Economy

IPE Major Courses (12 credits)

PIA 2--- IPE Major Course
PIA 2--- IPE Major Course
PIA 2--- IPE Major Course
PIA 2--- IPE Major Course

Free Electives/Minor Courses (18 credits)

PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective/minor course
PIA 2--- Elective
PIA 2--- Elective
PIA 2--- Elective