Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS)OFFICE: Building 4, Level 1, Robinson Building Complex The Master of Pacific International Affairs (MPIA)Requirements for AdmissionStudents interested in pursuing the MPIA degree program at UCSD’s Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) must have earned a B.A., or its equivalent, with training comparable to that provided by the University of California. A minimum scholastic average of 3.0 or better is required for course work completed in upper-division or prior graduate study. Undergraduate preparation that includes one or more of the following is strongly encouraged: the social sciences (specifically economics and political science) and history; and quantitative methods (such as calculus and statistics); foreign language and related area studies courses. Students with an undergraduate background in the sciences, engineering, or the arts are also encouraged to explore this degree program. The admissions committee looks for students with previous professional employment, a history of meaningful international experience, and demonstrated leadership ability. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to their academic or professional competence and to the depth of their interest in pursuing graduate training in international affairs. Applicants are required to submit the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical). (Indicate code #R4836 for UCSD, IR/PS department code #1901.) Scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) may be substituted. (Indicate code #4927 for UCSD, Pacific International Affairs.) A minimum score of 550 on the paper/pencil version and a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English. Students who score below 600 on the paper/pencil and 250 on the computer-based TOEFL examination are strongly encouraged to enroll in an English as a second language program before beginning graduate work. Interviews are not required for admission to the MPIA program. Orientation tours are available for all applicants who would like further information about the degree programs. Tours assist applicants in becoming better acquainted with IR/PS’s graduate programs and in understanding how these programs might relate to their long-term career goals. To receive a tour schedule, applicants should contact the IR/PS Office of Admissions at (858) 534-5914. The MPIA is a two-year, full-time program. Part-time study is feasible within the MPIA curriculum. The maximum course load for half-time study is six units. The MPIA Curriculum (96 units)The MPIA curriculum (96 units) is made up of a set of core disciplinary and skill-oriented courses (36 units), a regional specialization (8 units), the foreign language requirement (up to 24 units), a professional Career Track (24 units), and unstructured electives. Core CurriculumThe Core Curriculum is designed to integrate diverse subject areas such as international management, international relations, applied economics, and comparative public policy. It comprises the following courses: Globalization, the World System & the Pacific (IRCO 412) The Regional SpecializationThe regional specialization is made up of two designated courses on the economy and political system of a student’s chosen country or region. All students must complete a regional specialization, and may choose from among the following five options: Latin America, Japan, Korea, China, and Southeast Asia. The Foreign Language RequirementIR/PS considers foreign language competency an indispensable skill for international relations professionals. All students are expected to acquire the language skills necessary to work in the Pacific Rim. The foreign language requirement is designed to ensure that students achieve a level of competency to aid in their global interactions. At the present time, students can fulfill the foreign language requirement in Bahasa Indonesia, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, or Vietnamese. Students may also satisfy the requirement in other Pacific Rim languages, such as Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malay, Thai, Tagalog, and other Chinese dialects. Please contact the IR/PS Language Program or the Office of Student Affairs for additional information. The foreign language requirement may be satisfied in any one of three ways: (a) native speaker ability; (b) completing six quarters (four semesters) of college-level language instruction from an institution comparable to UCSD, with a grade of ‘B’ or better in the final course; or (c) passing a special IR/PS-administered language exam, which is the equivalent of the final exam administered in the sixth-quarter course in the selected language. In order to enhance their understanding of their chosen area of regional specialization, students are expected to satisfy the foreign language requirement in a language that corresponds to their chosen area of regional specialization. However, students who demonstrate a strong interest in selecting a foreign language that does not correspond to their chosen area of regional specialization may petition to do so. Beyond the basic language requirement, IR/PS also offers the option of certification of more advanced language proficiency for students who choose to pursue this. Students pursuing advanced language skills are strongly encouraged to undertake significant language study prior to coming to IR/PS. Students on the Country and Regional Studies track are subject to a different foreign language requirement. These students must pass both the speaking and reading proficiency examination in their selected language. The writing proficiency examination is optional. The minimum required level of proficiency is equivalent to a Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Scale 2+ for Spanish, 2 for Portuguese, and 2- for most other languages. The proficiency examination is given throughout the academic year. Students not following the Country and Regional Studies track may take the exam once free of charge in a language that IR/PS currently provides instructional support. Those students on the Country and Regional Studies track may take the exam twice free of charge, regardless of language selection. Please consult with the IR/PS Language Program Office for further information. A variety of language courses are offered by UCSD. IR/PS offers four-unit language courses for the international relations professionals in Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish at intermediate or advanced levels. In addition, subject to student demand, courses in Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Vietnamese, or other Pacific Rim languages may also be offered. Students with a lower level of language proficiency are encouraged to take beginning language courses offered by the Chinese Studies Program, the Japanese Studies Program, and the Departments of Linguistics or Literature. Students who elect to study a Pacific Rim language that IR/PS does not provide instructional support for must secure their own resources for language learning. Course credit for self-supported language learning may be given upon evaluation and approval of the director of the Language Program. Prospective students are advised to consult the IR/PS Language Program for the most up-to-date list of languages in which instruction is offered. Students are placed in foreign language courses based on prior preparation and on the results of a placement test administered during the week of orientation. Students who miss the placement exam should contact the IR/PS Language Program office for instructions. Career TracksBeyond the core curriculum, the regional specialization, and the foreign language requirement, students are offered an array of Career Tracks from which to choose. The Career Tracks provide an opportunity to focus on a specialized professional career path and to work closely with other students and faculty who share similar interests. A Career Track consists of six courses (twenty-four units). Each track combines some designated requirements and a range of relevant electives from which to choose. All students must take a Career Track. A student whose interests do not fall within the existing range of tracks may take the Self-Design Track, and create a tailor-made package of courses in consultation with their faculty adviser. Currently, IR/PS offers the following Career Tracks: International Management ElectivesStudents may use remaining units to take electives across the range of IR/PS courses in management, political science, economics, regional studies, and language, as well as (with approval) courses offered elsewhere on campus. The number of elective units available to a student will vary, depending on factors such as prior language study. Prospective students are advised to consult the IR/PS Office of Admissions for a full list of elective courses currently offered. InternshipsStudents are encouraged to participate in various internship programs that are available in business and industry, federal and state government, and through various foundations and institutions. The school has established links to a number of programs with available internships. Education Abroad ProgramStudents are encouraged to participate in the Education Abroad Programs (EAP) in their second year of study. Though this will necessitate a third year of study to meet MPIA requirements, the opportunity provides unparalleled experience in the selected regional study area and language. By petition, certain credits earned through EAP may be applied to the MPIA degree requirements. Career Development and OpportunitiesThe IR/PS Career Management Center (CMC) provides students with assistance in professional career development. This assistance begins in the student’s first quarter and continues through the interviewing process in the final quarter. Career services include individual advising appointments, workshops, speaker forums, special events, and a library containing international resources and employment opportunity listings. Specialized workshops explore resume writing, cover letters, salary and benefits negotiation, job-offer evaluation, interviewing skills (including videotaped mock interviews), career goals, labor market trends, and effective job search strategies. The Ph.D. in Economics and International AffairsRequirements for Admission Students who seek admission to the program must have a B.A. Or the equivalent from an institution of comparable standing to the University of California. Preference will be given to students with prior academic records of distinction and to those who have a background in one of the fields of emphasis and/or geographical areas covered by the program. GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) are required of all applicants. (Indicate code #R4836 for UCSD, IR/PS department code #1901.) A minimum score of 550 on the paper/pencil version and a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English. Students who score below 600 on the paper/ pencil and 250 on the computer-based TOEFL examination are strongly encouraged to enroll in an English-as-a-Second-Language Program (ESL) before beginning doctoral work. The Ph.D. CurriculumProgram of Study The Ph.D. In economics and international affairs prepares students for research careers in economics, with an emphasis on international affairs and the Pacific region. The program combines the analytical skills of economics with political economy, institutional analysis, and region/empirical knowledge. Program Advisory Committee Each student is assigned a Program Advisory Committee of four economics and IR/PS faculty, at least one must be from economics, one from IR/PS and one outside member from another UCSD department. With this committee, the student works out a plan of study that the committee must approve. The student must make satisfactory progress in a coherent program of course work and reading courses, which meet the approval of the Program Advisory Committee. Course Requirements The Ph.D. curriculum in economics and international affairs is designed to provide students with basic training in the techniques of modern economics, as well as empirical and institutional knowledge of the Pacific region. The first year will consist of the three sequences of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, taught in the Department of Economics. The second year will consist of continuation of the three series plus seven electives. Two of these electives will be an IR/PS sequence in political economy. In subsequent years, courses will consist of the regional sequence, an empirical project, and two third-year papers. Regional Requirement Students must take at least three courses, one of which may be a reading course on policy processes and issues in the Pacific region. These courses may consider the Pacific region as a whole, as a sub-region, or examine individual countries. The courses may be in both IR/PS and, with prior permission, related departments. Some students may choose to take more than the minimum three courses to deepen their knowledge of a particular country or area. Comprehensive examination on regional areas is not required. Language Requirement Students are expected to achieve a level appropriate to the student’s dissertation topic of reading proficiency in at least one foreign language. Proficiency may be verified by examination or by certification by thesis supervisor. Comprehensive Examinations Students must pass written comprehensive exams in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, which will be administered and graded by the economics department. Dissertation Candidates must present a dissertation prospectus no later than March of their third year in the doctoral program. They will be examined on their prospectus by their dissertation committee and must complete a dissertation, which makes a substantial and original contribution to knowledge commensurate with the standards of the University of California in order to receive the Ph.D. degree. Oral Defense Students will defend their dissertation at a final oral examination, which will be open to the public. Ph.D. Time Limit Policies Students must be advanced to candidacy by the end of five years. Total university support cannot exceed six years. Total registered time at UCSD cannot exceed seven years. The Ph.D. In Political Science and International AffairsRequirements for Admission Students who seek admission to the program must have a B.A. Or the equivalent from an institution of comparable standing to the University of California. Preference will be given to students with prior academic records of distinction and to those who have a background in one of the fields of emphasis and/or geographical areas covered by the program. GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) are required of all applicants. (Indicate code #R4836 UCSD, IR/PS department code #1901.) A minimum score of 550 on the paper/pencil version and 213 on the computer-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English. Students who score below 600 on the paper/pencil and 250 on the computer-based TOEFL examination are strongly encouraged to enroll in an English-as-a-Second-Language Program (ESL) before beginning doctoral work. UCSD Extension offers an excellent ESL program during summer as well as the academic year. For further information, call (858) 534-3400. The Ph.D. CurriculumProgram of Study The Ph.D. In political science and international affairs prepares students for research careers in political science, with an emphasis in either international policy analysis or comparative policy analysis. The program combines the analytical skills of political science with political economy, institutional analysis, policy analysis (especially economic policy) and regional training, with special attention to East Asia and/or Latin America. Course Requirements The Ph.D. Curriculum in political science and international affairs is designed to provide students with basic training in the techniques of modern political science, as well as applications to specific policy areas and countries or regions. Seventeen courses are required prior to advancement to candidacy. There is a common core sequence, consisting of comparative public policy, two courses in comparative politics, two courses in international relations and research design. Each student must declare a primary field of either international policy analysis (IPA) or comparative policy analysis (CPA), consisting of three specialized courses. There is also a regional focus of five courses. Three additional courses must be taken from a set of electives. Regional Requirement The regional focus consists of international relations of Asia Pacific or international relations of the Americas (depending on which region is the student’s primary region), three additional courses in the student’s primary region, and one course in another region offered by either lR/PS or the Department of Political Science are required. By petition, students may count a region other than one of the IR/PS offerings (currently China, East Asia, Japan, Latin America, or South-east Asia) as their primary region. Language Requirement All students in the program are required to meet a high standard of proficiency in a foreign language before being advanced to candidacy. The language must be linked to the student’s region. Seminar Papers Each student must submit two seminar papers, one in each field. The penultimate draft of each seminar paper must be completed prior to taking the appropriate field exam, and the final draft must be completed by the end of the quarter in which the exam is taken. Both papers must demonstrate knowledge of the student’s regional focus, as well as knowledge of relevant theory in the field. At least one of the papers must also demonstrate knowledge of a substantive policy area, related to the student’s primary focus field. Comprehensive Examinations Each student must pass two comprehensive examinations, one in international relations and one in comparative politics. Each exam will be graded by a joint committee consisting of three permanent faculty members, with at least one from political science and at least one from IR/PS. The primary field exam contains a focus field, which may be either a substantive field of policy analysis (e.g. trade, environment, international finance) or the student’s chosen primary region. Regardless of focus field, that part of the exam will test the student’s knowledge of theoretical literature and ability to apply it to a policy issue of relevance to the region. Dissertation Candidates must present a dissertation prospectus to be examined by their dissertation committee, and must complete a dissertation which makes a substantial and original contribution to knowledge commensurate with the standards of the University of California in order to receive the Ph.D. Degree The dissertation committee shall consist of four faculty members chosen from the Department of Political Science and IR/PS, with at least one from each unit. A fifth member must be from outside the department and IR/PS. Oral Defense Students will defend their dissertation at a final oral examination, which will be open to the public. Ph.D. Time Limit Policies Students must be advanced to candidacy by the end of the fourth year. Total university support cannot exceed seven years. Total registered time at UCSD cannot exceed eight years. The Ph.D. In International Affairs Pending final approval of the joint Ph.D. Degree programs in economics and international affairs, and political science and international affairs, no future admissions will be made to the Ph.D in International Affairs Program. International Career Associates ProgramThe International Career Associates Program (ICAP) is designed for working professionals seeking additional exposure to the various areas of international management, international relations, and comparative public policy. Participants in the program spend an academic year at IR/PS, usually beginning in mid-September and ending in mid-June. Under the auspices of the program, professionals have an opportunity to further internationalize their knowledge and experience, as well as enhance their professional development in areas such as finance, management, marketing, accounting, quantitative methods, econometrics, long-range strategic planning, international affairs, and comparative decision-making. The program of study is tailored to individual interests under the guidance of the program’s director and faculty advisers. Program lengths of one or two quarters are also available. ICAP offers:
For further information, contact the International Career Associates Program office at (858) 534-7420. The Korea-Pacific ProgramThe Korea-Pacific Program was formed in September 1989 in recognition of the growing importance of Korea in the world, of Korean-U.S. relationships, and of the Korean model of social and economic development. Directed by IR/PS Professor Stephan M. Haggard, the program promotes the understanding of Korea in an international context and encourages the study of Korea by offering courses on the country’s society, economics, language, and policymaking. Research is supported on contemporary Korean political economy. Outreach to the community is offered through seminars, lectures, courses, and cultural events. In comparison with other Korean studies programs in the United States, the IR/PS Korea-Pacific Program is distinctive in several respects: it concentrates on contemporary Korea, focuses on policy questions, stresses the foundations of Korean economic growth, explores Korea’s international relations, and seeks to understand Korea in a broad regional context. The Korea-Pacific Program is supported by a strong Korean language component. The ASEAN-Pacific ProjectThe ASEAN-Pacific Project is one of several major regional and theme-based nodes of activity within the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. Its mandate is to support students and to serve as a catalyst for the development of Southeast Asia-related teaching and research activities within the school. The director of the project is Associate Professor Andrew MacIntyre. The ASEAN-Pacific Project extends the success of the school’s original Vietnam-Pacific Project, with scope being broadened to embrace the other countries of Southeast Asia. The project is built upon private donations to the school, with this resource being supplemented by resources obtained from external grant agencies and the university. The project supports the activities of students at IR/PS with an interest in Southeast Asia through fellowships (for summer travel and internships) and visiting guests speakers. The project also serves as a catalyst and facilitator for research projects within the school relating to Southeast Asia. It seeks to promote disciplinary-driven work on political and economic topics pertaining to Southeast Asia, as distinct from more traditional area studies scholarship. Examples of this include recent work on national political institutions and policy-making, the dynamics of regional cooperation, food and agricultural policies, and the relocation of the global magnetic disk-drive industry to Southeast Asia. Other recent research-related initiatives include a major international workshop for Ph.D. students in political science working on Southeast Asia, and a workship for the U.S. Agency for International Development on political conflict in Indonesia. |
