Program: International Political Economy, MBA/MPIA - University of Pittsburgh

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 and 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

PIA 2022 - QUANTITATIVE METHODS (students may waive PIA 2022 if they pass the waiver exam. If waived, the class must be replaced by an additiona elective)
PIA 2025 - MICROECONOMICS
OR
PIA 2027 - MACROECONOMICS
PIA 2028 - PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS (pre-req: PIA 2022)
PIA 2094 - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (may be waived, see career advisor in first term)
PIA 2098 - INTERNSHIP (may be waived, see career advisor in first term)
PIA 2096 - CAPSTONE SEMINAR: (24 credits)
OR
PIA 2099 - THESIS (24 credits prior + PIA 2003 + approval by graduate enrollment counselor)

One of the following based on major:

PIA 2301 - INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY or
PIA 2303 - SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE STUDIES or
PIA 2307 - HUMAN SECURITY

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.*

BACC 2401 - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
BECN 2401 - ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR MANAGERIAL DECISION: FIRMS AND MARKETS
BQOM 2401 - STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: UNCERT
BQOM 2421 - DECISION TECHN IN MFG & OPER MGT
BFIN 2409 - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 1
BMIS 2409 - INFORMATION SYSTEMS
BMKT 2409 - MARKETING MANAGEMENT
BSPP 2409 - STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
BOAH 2409 - ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR: LEADERSHIP AND GROUP EFFECTIVENESS
BSEO 2401 - BUSINESS ETHICS & SOCIAL PERFORM
BIND 2454 - INTEGRATED MBA CAPSTONE

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:

International Political Economy

PIA 2xxx - Approved IPE Major Course
PIA 2xxx - Approved IPE Major Course
PIA 2xxx - Approved IPE Major Course
PIA 2xxx - Approved IPE Major Course