When the School of Public Affairs (SPA) welcomes its first class of Master of International Affairs (MIA) students in Fall 2017, their arrival will be the culmination of two years of planning, preparation, and approvals.
SPA Dean David Birdsell says, “There is no single career path for a student pursuing a Master of International Affairs at the School of Public Affairs; there are many.” Students will prepare for leadership roles at international foundations and nongovernmental organizations; internationally focused agencies in city, state, and federal government; and globally oriented businesses and corporations committed to promoting development through international public-private partnerships.
Through an integrated, multidisciplinary curriculum, MIA candidates will study national and international public policy and its underlying principles. Specializations include international nongovernmental organizations, Western Hemisphere affairs, and trade policy and global economic governance. Students also have the opportunity to design, in concert with a faculty adviser, a concentration tailored to their needs.
This new program directly aligns with the College’s Strategic Plan 2013–18, which calls for students to acquire “a global perspective on world affairs and a critical awareness of the political and ethical issues of the day.” The MIA also represents the next step in SPA’s deepening commitment to internationalizing its curricula.
“In a world of globalizing opportunities, challenges, and threats, the Master of International Affairs meets the rising demand for professionals with a passion for the world and the knowledge and skills to be strong, forward-looking, and responsible leaders,” says Dr. Carla Anne Robbins, clinical professor of national security studies and the program’s director.
—Diane Harrigan