International Economic Relations, International Affairs (MA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

International Economic Relations provides students with the range of analytical skills needed to understand international economic and financial problems in a policy setting. What distinguishes the program is its focus on specific international trade and financial policies and business transactions using analytical tools from economics, political science, business, and law. Students come to understand the fundamentals and peculiarities of trade in goods and services, and of cross-border capital flows, and study the processes by which private actors behave and government officials develop policies in the areas of international trade and finance.

Course Requirements (39-42 credit hours)

Core (18-21 credit hours)

Required (12-15 credit hours)

ECON-603 Introduction to Economic Theory (3)
Students with a strong background in economics may have this course requirement waived without substitution with permission of advisor.
SIS-616 International Economics (3)
SIS-665 International Trade Relations (3)
SIS-666 International Financial Relations (3)
SIS-751 International Political Economy (3)

International Economic Relations or Political Economy (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following or other courses in international economic relations or international political economy:

Social Science Research Methodology (6 credit hours)

Option I

ECON-623 Applied Econometrics I (3) or
ECON-624 Applied Econometrics II (3) or
STAT-515 Regression (3) or
Approved first-level methods course
and
ACCT-607 Financial Accounting (3) or
ECON-624 Applied Econometrics II
(3) (if not taken as first-level methods course) or
SIS-750 Research and Professional Methods in International Affairs (3) : Qualitative Methods and Methodology or
Approved second-level methods course

Option II

PUAD-601 Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis I (3) or
SIS-600 Statistics, Research Design, and Research Methods for International Affairs (3) or
SIS-750 Research and Professional Methods in International Affairs (3) : Statistics, Research Design, and Research Methods for International Affairs II or
STAT-514 Statistical Methods (3) or
Approved first-level methods course
and
ACCT-607 Financial Accounting (3) or
ECON-623 Applied Econometrics I (3) or
PUAD-602 Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis II (3) or
STAT-515 Regression (3) or
Approved second-level methods course

Concentration (9 credit hours)

9 credit hours of courses approved by the student’s academic advisor from a related field. Students may design their own related field with approval of the academic advisor. Examples include:

Trade and Investment

Money and Finance

International Business

Law and Policy

Economic Development

Political Economy

Another major field in SIS

Capstone Experience (3 credit hours)

Note: The thesis or substantial research paper must relate clearly to the field of international economic relations.

SIS-797 Master’s Thesis Supervision (1-6) (may include 3 elective credit hours)
or
Substantial research paper or practicum requirement

Elective (3 credit hours)

3 credit hours selected from skills workshops, internship for credit, master’s thesis requirement, or other elective courses