Master of Arts

​​To earn the MA in International Policy, students must complete a minimum of 80 units. The degree requirements are as follows:

Core Curriculum (27 units)

All core courses are fundamental and must be completed during the first year, with the exception of INTLPOL 300S, which is required in the Winter Quarter of the second year.

Subplan (20 units)

Students must complete one subplan consisting of:

• Two required courses, completed during the first year

• At least three additional courses selected from the approved Subplan Elective Courses list

Customized Electives (24 units)

Students must complete 24 units of elective coursework selected to support and broaden their course of study. These courses must be broadly related to international policy and may include approved coursework across the University.

Capstone (9 units)

The fundamental capstone requirement consists of:

• The Policy Change Studio, a two-quarter sequence taken in Winter and Spring of the second year

• The associated Field Research course, taken in Spring Quarter of the second year

Students who matriculated prior to Autumn Quarter 2026 should refer to the Archived Bulletins opens in a new tab for applicable degree requirements.

All core courses must be completed during the first year of the program (except INTLPOL 300S, which is required during winter quarter of the second year). The only exception to the other core courses is for coterm, dual, or joint degree students who have conflicts with requirements in their other degree programs. In this instance, prior approval from MIP is required to move a core course to the second year. Note the additional guidance on first-year core courses:

The Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy (MIP) offers four subplans:

• Cyber Policy and Security (CYBER)

• Energy, Natural Resources, and the Environment (ENRE)

• Governance and Development (GOVDEV)

• International Security (ISEC)

Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses that must be completed during the first year. In addition, students must complete at least three additional approved elective courses from the relevant Subplan Elective Course list.

Complete details for each subplan are provided in the individual subplan sections below.

Students must complete a minimum of 24 units of Customized Electives.

Customized Electives provide students the opportunity to engage with academic offerings across the University and tailor their course of study to their individual academic and professional interests. All courses applied toward this requirement must be broadly related to international policy.

Students may fulfill this requirement through a variety of pathways, including but not limited to: enrollment in additional subplan courses; completion of certificate programs (e.g., Computational Social Science Certificate); enrollment in language courses; completion of coursework in a second subplan (informally); or a combination of courses across disciplines that support the student’s academic objectives.

Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements, in accordance with University policy. In addition, activity courses, as well as performance and visual arts courses, do not satisfy MIP degree requirements.

Practical Training

Students may participate in an internship or other supervised practical experience that complements their degree program and subplan. With program approval, a maximum of 3 units of practical training may be applied toward the Customized Electives requirement.

During the academic year (Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters), students enroll in the designated Practical Training course (INTLPOL 298: Practical Training). A separate Practical Training course is offered during Summer Quarter (INTLPOL 298S: Practical Training). Both courses satisfy the academic enrollment requirement for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for eligible students in F-1 status.

Students requesting enrollment in a Practical Training course for CPT purposes must submit the MIP CPT Proposal by the second Friday of the academic quarter in which they intend to enroll. 

Additional information regarding eligibility, enrollment procedures, and CPT requirements is available on the MIP website opens in a new tab and in the MIP Student Handbook opens in a new tab.

The Policy Change Studio serves as the capstone experience for the MIP program. In this fundamental course, student teams work under faculty supervision with external partners from industry, government, and the nonprofit sector to address complex policy challenges. The capstone is project-based and emphasizes the development of feasible, implementation-oriented solutions for real-world clients.

Course Enrollment Requirements

Students enroll in the Policy Change Studio over Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter of the second year, for a total of 8 units.

In addition, students enroll in the associated field research component course during Spring Quarter of the second year.

The MIP Capstone is a fundamental component of the degree program and exceptions are not permitted under any circumstances.

Subplan Requirements

Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.

The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

Subplan Selection

Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess opens in a new tab based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.

Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess opens in a new tab.

Subplan Course Planning

Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.

All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.

Subplan Course Petition Process

Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.

Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.

Course review criteria include:

• Alignment with subplan learning objectives

• Student-provided rationale for inclusion

• Recency and consistency of course offerings

• Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)

• Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)

• Teaching evaluations, when available

Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.

Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.

The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

Subplan Requirements

Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.

The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

Subplan Selection

Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess opens in a new tab based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.

Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess opens in a new tab.

Subplan Course Planning

Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.

All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.

Subplan Course Petition Process

Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.

Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.

Course review criteria include:

• Alignment with subplan learning objectives

• Student-provided rationale for inclusion

• Recency and consistency of course offerings

• Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)

• Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)

• Teaching evaluations, when available

Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.

Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.

The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

Subplan Requirements

Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.

The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

Subplan Selection

Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess opens in a new tab based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.

Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess opens in a new tab.

Subplan Course Planning

Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.

All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.

Subplan Course Petition Process

Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.

Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.

Course review criteria include:

• Alignment with subplan learning objectives

• Student-provided rationale for inclusion

• Recency and consistency of course offerings

• Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)

• Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)

• Teaching evaluations, when available

Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.

Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.

The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

Subplan Requirements

Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.

The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website opens in a new tab.

Subplan Selection

Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess opens in a new tab based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.

Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess opens in a new tab.

Subplan Course Planning

Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.

No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.

All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.

Subplan Course Petition Process

Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.

Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.

Course review criteria include:

• Alignment with subplan learning objectives

• Student-provided rationale for inclusion

• Recency and consistency of course offerings

• Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)

• Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)

• Teaching evaluations, when available

Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.

Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.

The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website opens in a new tab.