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Academics

MPIA Program


The Master of Pacific International Affairs (MPIA) is a two year, full time professional degree. MPIA graduates are trained as generalists and specialists. Their education goes beyond traditional international affairs or management training to specialize in the business, politics, economics, and public policies in the Pacific region. The MPIA program is based on a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates the diverse subject areas of international management, international relations, comparative public policy, international development and nonprofit management, and international environmental policy, as well as regional studies and foreign language. Core courses include economics, management, policy-making processes, quantitative methods, international relations, and classes focused on one's interests in a particular country or region of the Pacific Rim.

The program's elective coursework allows for flexibility, balancing today's diversity of career options with one's individual background and interests. With elective units, students pursue a career track in one of eight functional career areas. Learn more about regional specializations and career tracks.

MPIA Core

The core curriculum is designed to integrate the diverse subject areas of international management, international relations, and comparative public policy. In addition to the required set of core coursework, students must also satisfy a regional specialization and language requirement. All students must pass the following courses unless waived by approved petition.

IR/Core 400 Policy Making Processes
IR/Core 401 Managerial Economics
IR/Core 403 International Economics
IR/Core 410 International Politics and Security
IR/Core 412 Globalization, the World System and the Pacific
IR/Core 420 Accounting
IR/Core 421 Finance (prerequisites: IR/Core 420, 453, & 454 or by permission of instructor)
IR/Core 453, 454 Quantitative Methods I: Decision Making and Scenario Analysis
Quantitative Methods II: Decision Making Under Uncertainty
Capstone One of the following three courses must be completed (second year)
IR/Core 460 Managerial Decision Making (prerequisites: IR/Core 400, 401,403, 410, 412, 420, 421, 453 and 454, or by permission of instructor)
IR/Core 461 Business and Government in the Global Economy (prerequisites: IR/Core 400, 401, 403, 410, 412, 420, 421, 453 and 454, or by permission of instructor)
IR/Core 462 Public Policy Workshop (prerequisites: IR/Core 400, 401, 403, 410, 412, 420, 421, 453 and 454, or by permission of instructor)

MPIA Program Sample

First Year

Fall Winter Spring
Policy-Making Process (4)
Managerial Economics (4)
Globalization, the World System, and the Pacific(4)
Quantitative Methods (2)
Language (4)
Accounting (4)
Quantitative Methods (4)
International Politics & Security (4)
Language (4)
International Economics (4)
Finance (4)
Elective (4)
Language (4)

Second Year

Fall Winter Spring
Regional Specialization (4)
Capstone Core (4)
Elective (4)
Language (4)
Regional Specialization (4)
Elective (4)
Elective (4)
Language (4)
Elective (4)
Elective (4)
Elective (4)
Language (4)