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About
the Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA)
With each
passing year, the world we live in becomes exponentially
smaller. Economic fluctuations, military conflict,
natural disasters, and other issues arrive more dramatically
than ever before. From strategy to investigation to
international policymaking, the Master of Public and
International Affairs (MPIA) degree covers a wide
range of challenges crucial to the future of globalization.
As diverse
as they are motivated, our MPIA students go on to
pursue careers in such settings as national and international
intelligence agencies, departments of state, think
tanks, the United Nations, and the private sector.
They may specialize in any number of fields, including
-
national
defense and weapons systems;
-
terrorism;
-
market
strategies and identities for corporations;
-
development
of commerce in government;
-
international
migration and crime;
- government and non-government organizations;
Many of
these studies spill over into other disciplines. For
example, a project examining water shortages and the
division of water rights might include the effects
of environmental impact on distribution as well as
public health. That's why GSPIA offers you the chance
to explore topics through cross-registration that
covers electives up through a second major.
Our students
might explore international development strategies
for Third World countries.
They may
choose to focus on a particular geographic location,
such as Eastern Europe, Latin America, or Asia , or
a particular field, such as global health or sustainable
development. Toward this end, we offer a number of
global and area studies certificates.
Through
venues such as the Matthew
B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies
and the Ford
Institute for Human Security, both housed within
GSPIA, students study the issues that most dramatically
impact our world: new demands on the military, threats
to human rights, and nonpartisan proposals for domestic
and international policymakers. For example, recent
papers prepared by the Ford Institute include briefings
on post-9/11 immigration and child soldiers.
We at GSPIA
are advocates for change and improving the human condition.
If you are curious about foreign cultures, interested
in acquiring international experience, and motivated
to work toward a better world within an ever-changing
global setting, we invite you to contact us for more
information.
Division
Director / Contact Us:
Martin Staniland, PhD, Division Director.
For more
information or to schedule a campus visit, contact
the Office of Student Services, 412-648-7640. E-mail
gspia@pitt.edu.
Degree
Requirements and Majors
A total
of 48 credits is required for the Master of Public
and International Affairs along with participation
in an internship with an approved public, private,
or nonprofit organization.
Prior to graduation, you are required to complete a 300-hour internship, which will provide hands-on experience in a particular field. GSPIA will help you find a meaningful internship based on your area of interest. Your internship is an opportunity to create a new network of connections and demonstrate your professional capacity. Internship experiences are virtually unlimited in terms of location, sector, or organization.
Select a
major to view the Plan of Study document which outlines
the required courses for the degree and major:
- Major in Global Political Economy: The
global political economy major teaches students
to understand globalization and the role the state
plays, as well as market strategies for corporations
and their corporate identities. Graduates pursue
careers in such fields as international regulation,
commerce development, and sometimes private business.
More...
- Major in Human Security: Students
in the human security program study threats to individuals
from non-governmental, nonmilitary sources. Examples
include civil wars, international migration and
crime, global climate changes, natural disasters,
and refugees. Drawing on a variety of related academic
disciplines, students prepare for careers as analysts
and policymakers in many settings, notably government,
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks,
and the United Nations. More...
- Major
in Security and Intelligence Studies: Students
in the security and intelligence studies major prepare
for careers with intelligence agencies such as the
FBI or CIA, as well as various think tanks. Our
program offers study of a variety of issues including
transnational organized crime, terrorism, weapons
of mass destruction, and competition for natural
resources. More...
Minors
At GSPIA, any major can be a minor. Students pursuing an MPIA degree can benefit from the specialized knoweldge of another subject area - there are eight total minors to choose from, each offering a level of structure and choice unique to GSPIA's core strengths.
Students also have the option of choosing to minor in Civil Security and Disaster Management, designed exclusively to be a minor field of study. More...
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