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International Political Economy

MA in International Political Economy

This program is not currently accepting applications.

We recommend the MA in Politics with a concentration in International Political Economy.

The Master of Arts in International Political Economy (MAIPE) trains students to analyze increasingly complex global interactions and to address large-scale political and economic uncertainties.

Assessing globalization’s effects within the interconnected realms of politics, economics, and policy requires a new set of specialized educational tools. The MAIPE program emphasizes deep theoretical understanding in international politics and economics, combined with a strong set of methodological skills that prepare you for the challenges of competition in market economies around the globe. You’ll develop basic skills in microeconomics and macroeconomics while mastering the major conceptual approaches to world politics and international political economy. Students focusing on international economics usually emphasize formal models and econometrics in their methodological training, while those primarily interested in politics emphasize decision theory and statistics. All students are encouraged to develop the sophisticated computer skills most useful in applied situations.

Program Highlights
  • This program emphasizes rigorous training in cutting-edge technical and analytical skills, close engagement with theoretical and conceptual framework, and mastery of applications and policy issues in the real world.
  • Graduate-only education is offered in small, seminar-style classes taught by highly knowledgeable faculty-scholars.
  • Program emphases include international trade, economic growth, money and finance, regional integration, international regimes and negotiations, globalization, foreign investment, and the economic determinants of regime changes.
  • Pursue your MAIPE in conjunction with another degree, such as a PhD in Economics. You earn a diploma for each degree and “double count” some units from one program to the other to decrease your required total units.

Program At-a-glance

  • 36 units

    required units

  • MA in International Political Economy

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Summer, Fall

    program start

  • 2 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Portrait of Mark Abdollahian

    Mark Abdollahian

    Full Clinical Professor

    Research Interests

    Strategic Decision Making, International Political Economy, Sustainable Development

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  • Carlos Algara

    Carlos Algara

    Mary Toepelt Nicolai and George S. Blair Assistant Professor

    Research Interests

    American politics, the United States Congress, ideological representation, electoral politics, elite institutions

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  • Heather Campbell

    Heather E. Campbell

    Thornton F. Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy
    Director, Division of Politics & Economics

    Research Interests

    Public Policy, Urban Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice

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  • Portrait of Yi Feng

    Yi Feng

    Luther Lee Jr. Memorial Chair Professor

    Research Interests

    International Political Economy, International Relations, Political Economy of China and Latin America, Quantitative Methodology

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  • Portrait of Jacek Kugler

    Jacek Kugler

    Elisabeth Helm Rosecrans Professor of International Relations

    Research Interests

    Causes and Consequences of War, Political Performance, Power Transition

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  • Tanu Kumar

    Tanu Kumar

    Assistant Professor

    Research Interests

    Development, political behavior, urban politics, digital technology

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  • Tyler Reny

    Tyler Reny

    Assistant Professor

    Research Interests

    American Politics, Racial and Ethnic Politics, Political Behavior, Public Opinion, Political Psychology, Data Visualization

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  • Javier Rodríguez

    Associate Professor
    Field Chair for Policy

    Research Interests

    Public & Health Policy, Social Inequality, Quantitative Methods for Social Science Research

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  • Portrait of Melissa Rogers

    Melissa Rogers

    Associate Professor, Politics & Policy
    Co-Director, Inequality and Policy Research Center
    Field Chair, Comparative Politics
    Field Chair, American Politics

    Research Interests

    Comparative Politics, Political Economy, Economic Inequality

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Curriculum

Core Course Requirement (16 units)

  • World Politics (4 units)
  • The World Economy: Trade and Finance (4 units)
  • International Political Economy (4 units)
  • Political Economy of International Development (4 units)

Research Tools (12 units)

  • Introduction to Statistical Analysis (4 units)
  • Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (4 units) AND
  • Applied Data Analysis (various letters and topic) (4 units) OR
  • Game Theory (4 units)  OR
  • Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business Decisions (4 units) OR
  • Computational Tools for Social Science (4 units)

Electives (8 units of approved classes)

Main options; other options are available with advisor approval and departmental notification.

  • Global Money and Finance (4 units)
  • Modern Macroeconomics: Analysis, Policy, and Applications (4 units)
  • Contemporary Issues in International Finance and Economic Development (4 units)
  • Globalization & Regional Integration (4 units)
  • Political Economy of China (4 units)

Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 48 units
Tuition per unit* $2,070

*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee**: $768 fall semester, $851 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.

review financial aid

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