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University of Pittsburgh    
2021-2022 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2021-2022 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Security and Intelligence Studies, MBA/MPIA


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Joint Degree

Full-time GSPIA students in the MPA, MPIA, or MID programs may pursue two graduate degrees simultaneously, through GSPIA’s partnerships with other professional schools at the University of Pittsburgh (and two foreign universities). Joint programs reduce the number of credits needed for each degree, allowing students to earn two master’s degrees in just three years, or a master’s degree and a law degree in just four years.

To participate in a joint degree program, students apply separately to both schools, and must meet all of the usual admissions requirements. Those applying to the joint JD program with the University of Pittsburgh School of Law may submit an LSAT score as a substitute for GSPIA’s GRE requirement. Those applying to the joint MBA program may submit the GMAT as a substitute for the GRE. If admitted to both schools, students spend one full year in GSPIA followed by a second full year in the other program (or vice versa). During the third and/or fourth year, they spend a minimum of one additional term in GSPIA, earning a total of 36 GSPIA credits.

Although it is possible to apply to both schools at the same time, currently enrolled students may still apply for a joint degree as long as they have not yet completed one year (or, in the case of current law students, two years) of full-time study.

Master of Public & International Affairs and Master of Business Administration

For MPIA and MID students only: Combining a GSPIA degree with an MBA opens many opportunities for a career in international finance, government financial regulation, or multinational corporations. Students with both degrees are highly marketable in the fields of international business and international economic policy.

Note

Joint-degree students take a minimum of 36 credits and must have 3 terms of GSPIA residency. Students must graduate from both schools at the same time. No course may be double-counted.  Any course taken to fulfill a requirement for the degree in one program cannot also count toward the degree in the other program. Joint degree students should contact their GSPIA Graduate Enrollment Counselor once a term for advising. Graduate Enrollment Counselors advise for GSPIA programs only. Joint degree students must meet with an advisor from both schools.

Requirements for the joint degree MPIA/MBA


Student is required to take one of the following depending on major:

     If SIS major:  PIA 2303 Security & Intelligence Studies

     If IPE major:  PIA 2301 International Political Economy

     If HS major:   PIA 2307 Human Security

 

GSPIA Core Requirements: 12 credits


Major Courses: 12 credits


(see Major-Specific requirements)

Electives: 3 credits


Minimum Required GSPIA Credits: 36 credits


Master of Business Administration requirements: 33*


The following core courses are required of all full-time MBA students:

Accelerated MBA, Signature MA, Part-Time MBA and Dual-Degree MBA/MS programs; MBA with Business Analytics students also complete the MBA Core Curriculum with additional credits required from business analytics curriculum. Joint-Degree MBA students also complete the MBA Core Curriculum, with some exceptions.

* On July 27, 2021 the program requirements for the program were approved to be decreased from 39 to 33 to align with the overall MBA redesign approved in 2019. In order to maintain accurate records the update was made on 9/28/2021.

**In Fall 2022, modifications were approved for the MBA Degree Requirements, retroactive to Fall 2021. Students will have until Summer 2023 to complete old program curriculum requirements. In order to maintain accurate records, updates were made in the catalog on September 14, 2022.*

MBA Professional Courses


In addition to the MBA Core Curriculum, MBA students also complete “professional” coursework:

  • Quant Methods for Business
  • Programming for Business
  • Business Communications

The content of these courses is designed to accelerate a students’ academic and personal development as a business professional. The timing, delivery, and credit-load may vary by program (i.e. Accelerated v. Signature v. Part-Time MBA). Any credits earned count toward the minimum 45-credits required for the MBA degree.

  • BIND 2404 - PROBABALITY & STATISTICS: FUNDAMENTALS OF MBA QUANTITATIVE METHODS
  • BIND 2406 - BUSINESS MATH: FUNDAMENTALS OF MBA QUANTITATIVE METHODS
  • BIND 2506 - TIME VALUE OF MONEY: FUNDAMENTALS OF MBA QUANTITATIVE METHODS
  • BMIS 2402 - COMPUTATIONAL THINKING OF BUSINESS LEADERS
  • BOAH 2528 - ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR- COMMUNICATING STRATEGICALLY

Total Number of Credits for Joint Degree: 75


Major Specific Requirements:


Security & Intelligence Studies


 

  • PIA 2xxx - Approved SIS Major Course
  • PIA 2xxx - Approved SIS Major Course
  • PIA 2xxx - Approved SIS Major Course
  • PIA 2xxx - Approved SIS Major Course

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