Master of Science in International
Political Economy
http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/public-policy-and-political-economy/
Faculty
Professors: Sheila Amin de Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Brian J.L. Berry, Lloyd J. Dumas, Euel W. Elliott, Donald
A. Hicks, Murray J. Leaf, Richard K. Scotch
Associate Professors: Bobby C. Alexander, Simon M. Fass, Jennifer S.
Holmes, Sheryl L. Skaggs
Assistant
Professors: Clint W. Peinhardt
Mission
Statement
The mission of
the Master of Science in International Political Economy is to offer an
experience in interdisciplinary education and policy research through
activities in graduate education, scholarly and applied inquiry, and
professional service. Today, more careers increasingly require international
knowledge and skills that transcend the confines of traditional disciplinary
training. We prepare students for careers in research, teaching, and practice
in a variety of both academic and non-academic public policy and political
economy settings. The Master of Science in International Political Economy will
develop students’ critical skill sets to meet the needs and demands of the
international diplomatic and business sectors. These skills include critical
thinking, knowledge of multiple cultures, and cultural contexts, rigorous
research skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in an array of
environments. Students will be prepared to advance careers in policy and data
analysis, and administrative positions in government, the non-profit and
private sectors.
Objectives
•
Students will
demonstrate the ability to apply social science and international political
economy theories and concepts.
•
Students will develop
competency in advanced methods of social science and international political
economy research and analysis.
•
Students will develop
basic skills in professional communication appropriate to international
political economy research and analysis.
•
Students will develop
competency in analysis, evaluation, and research design relevant to social
science and international political economy research and analysis
Facilities
Students have access to the
computing facilities in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
and the University’s Computing Center. The School has two computing
laboratories that have over 50 computers that are network linked and equipped
with major social science software packages, including E-Views, R. Rats, SPSS,
and STATA. A computerized geographic information system, the Lexis Nexis database and Westlaw are also
available for student use. The University’s Computing Center provides
personal computers and UNIX Workstations. Many important data and reference
materials are also available online via the library and school’s memberships in
numerous organizations.
Admissions
Requirement
The master’s program in
International Political Economy seeks applications from students with a
baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college. Although
applications will be reviewed holistically, in general, entering students have
earned a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and a combined
verbal and quantitative score of at least 1100 on the Graduate Records
Examination (GRE). Standardized test scores are only one of the factors taken
into account in determining admission. Students should also submit all
transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining
the applicant’s background, education, and professional objectives.
Prerequisites
While there are no specific course
prerequisites, entering students will benefit from exposure to undergraduate
courses in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, statistics, and
research design. Students are strongly encouraged to strengthen their
foreign language skills.
Degree Requirements
The University’s general degree
requirements are discussed here.
Students seeking a Master of Science in International
Political Economy must complete at least 36 semester credit hours of work in
the program. The program has four components:
1. Eighteen semester hours of required coursework
2. Twelve semester hours of prescribed electives
3. Six hours of free electives.
4. Students must demonstrate a foreign
language proficiency equivalent to two years of university
level study in one
foreign language before graduation.
Students must maintain a 3.0
cumulative GPA in their graduate courses in the degree program, including core
courses. If placed on probation, students will have one semester to bring their
cumulative grade point average to a 3.0 or greater. Any student who receives
two Cs will no longer be allowed to continue in the program.
Required Courses (18 hours)
All students should complete the core courses as soon as
possible.
Economic Theory Core (take one of
the following):
ECON
6306 Applied Microeconomics
POEC 6390 Innovation and Public
Policy
POEC 7317 Economics for Public
Policy
Methods Core (Algebra-based or
Calculus based)
Algebra-based series
EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
EPPS 6316 Applied Regression
Or
Calculus-based series
EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis
One of the following:
POEC 6360 World Political Economy
POEC 6366 International Economics
PSCI 6309 International Political Economy
One
of the following:
POEC/PSCI 6335
Institutions and Development
POEC/PSCI 6362 Political Development
PSCI 6309 International
Political Economy
PSCI 6316
International Organizations
One
of the following:
POEC 7V76
Policy Research Workshop in Development Studies
EPPS 6310 Research Design I
EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research
Prescribed
Electives
Students
complete 12 hours of Prescribed Electives. These consist of:
1. An area concentration in which the student completes two
courses (six hours) in history, advanced language, or area studies courses that
address a single region, including Europe, Latin America, or the Middle
East/Greater Asia.
2. A theme concentration in which the student completes two
courses (six hours) in Development, International Business and Public Policy,
International Negotiations, or International
Conflict and Security
Courses in both the area
concentrations and theme concentrations must have the approval of the Program
Director. Internships and independent studies may count toward either area or
theme concentrations, with the permission of the Program Director.
Elective
Courses
Students also select an additional
six hours of coursework. Students may select courses from those courses not
selected under Required Courses.