The Master of Arts in International Political Economy (MAIPE) prepares students to analyze the complex interactions between political and economic trends, both domestically and at the international level. Providing the analytical tools and contextual background, students are prepared for the challenges of competition in market economies around the globe. The MAIPE program also provides a foundation of fully transferable credits for students interested in subsequently pursuing a doctoral degree.

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admission  section of the Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

Coursework: 48 units; no Master’s research paper is required.

Final Paper Portfolio:  All students are required to submit two papers to the program office.  One paper must be written during the student’s first semester in the program.  A second paper should represent the student’s best work and may come from any subsequent semester that the student is enrolled in the program.  Papers are used for accreditation reviews of the program.  The program’s Student Handbook provides additional details.

University Policies:  University policies detailed in the Academic Policies  section of the Bulletin apply.

Core Course Requirement (8 units)

Two courses from the following:

• SP&E 351 - Comparative Political Institutions
• SP&E 352 - Comparative Political Economy
• INST 401 - World Politics
• SP&E 411 - International Political Economy

Research Tools (12 units)

• SP&E 400 Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
• INST 481 Statistical Methods for Social Sciences (4 units)
• INST 483 Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS (4 units)

And

• INST 487 Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics OR
• SP&E 317 Advanced Formal Models OR
• SP&E 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business OR
• SP&E 489 Advanced Research Design

Formal & Economic Background (12 units)

SP&E 317 - Advanced Formal Models

Then choose two courses from the following: 

• ECON 302 - Macroeconomic Analysis
• ECON 313 - Microeconomic Analysis
• SP&E 472 - Complexity Theory in Economics and Politics
• INST 410 - Political Economy of International Developmet
• SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business*

*required for Track 2 students

Tracks (choose one of the following):

Track 1: Applied Political Economy (16 units)

INST 410 - Political Economy of International Development

Then choose three courses from the following:  

• PP 408 Seminar in World Politics: Political Demography OR
• TNDY 407I Seminar in Social Demography
• PP 412 Regional Integration
• ECON 272 Environmental Economics
• ECON 235 Money and Banking, OR ECON 350 Global Money & Finance
• ECON 247 International Trade Theory and Social Inquiry OR
• ECON 355 International Trade Theory and Policy
• SP&E 348 Regulatory Policy
• PP 361 Comparative Politics of the Middle East
• PP 354 Politics of Developing Countries 
• PP 363 Asian Politics
• PP 366 Latin American Politics
• PP 375/POST 225 African Politics
• PP 420a Foreign Policy of the USA
• PP 420b Foreign Policy of Europe
• PP 420c Foreign Policy of Russia and FSR
• PP 420d Foreign Policy of East Asia
• PP 420e Foreign Policy of Latin America
• PP 420f Foreign Policy of the Middle East
• PP 420g Foreign Policy of Africa
• PP 420h Foreign Policy of South Asia
• PP 438 Foreign & Defense Policy

Track 2: Applied Agent-Based Political Economy (16 units)

INST/SPE 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business 

Then choose three from the following.  

• PP 439 Seminar in Dynamic Modeling
• PP 447 Seminar in Social Network Analysis
• PP 316 Seminar in Computational and Agent-Based Modeling
• SP&E 448 Seminar in Computational and Agent-Based Modeling
• SP&E 472 Complexity Theory in Economics and Politics

Note: Students who wish to substitute classes or create alternative tracks must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor.