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.

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.

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
• Econ 370 - The World Economy: Trade and Finance
• SP&E 411 - International Political Economy

Research Tools (12 units)

• 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 315 -  Game Theory OR
• SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business Decisions OR
• INST 489 - Advanced Research Design

Formal & Economic Background (12 units)

• SP&E 315 - Game Theory

Then choose two courses from the following: 

• ECON 302 - Modern Macroeconomics: Analysis, Policy, and Applications
• 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 Decisions*

*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:  

• ECON 370 - The World Economy: Trade and Finance
• ECON 302 - Modern Macroeconomic Analysis Policy and Application
• PP 408 - Seminar in World Politics: Political Demography & Development OR
• TNDY 407I - Special Seminar in Social Demography
• PP 412 - Political Economy of International Integration
• ECON 350 - Global Money & Finance
• SP&E 359 - International Development: Finance, Institutions, and Policy
• PP 348 - Seminar in Urban Policy Issues
• INST 359B - Comparative Politics: Regional and Global Power Rivalry in the Middle East
• PP 354 - Politics of Developing Countries
• PP 366 - Latin American Politics  
• PP 375/POST 225 African Politics
• PP 420A - Foreign Policy of the USA
• PP 420E - Foreign Policy of Latin America
• PP 420F - Foreign Policy of the Middle East
• PP 375 -Politics of Africa
• PP 417 - European Public Policy
• PP 413 - Politics of Pacific Asia
• SP&E 429- Political Economy of China
• PP 362 - Foreign & Defense Policy

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

• SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business Decisions

Then choose three from the following.  

• SP&E 438 - Dynamic Modeling
• SP&E 448 - Seminar in Social Network Analysis
• SP&E 316  - 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.

University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.