Student Resources
Advising Wizard
Students can keep track of their progress by completing the IP&E Advising Wizard, and they should do so before meeting with their advisor or the director.
Access the Advising Wizard.
General Resources
- Registrar Forms for Students
- Honors Thesis Requirements
- Study Abroad Courses
- International Politics and Economics Major Guide
Careers in the Field
Discover what’s next with the Center for Careers and Internships (CCI)! As you embark on your post-Middlebury journey, CCI’s staff is available to help guide you.
- Explore their comprehensive Major Guides, which provide suggestions for campus involvement, internships, and real-life career examples of Middlebury alumni.
- Connect with alumni and professionals worldwide through Midd2Midd, Middlebury’s exclusive networking platform designed to foster meaningful mentorships and industry connections.
- Navigate the various career paths associated with your major through CCI’s Career Communities Pages, offering valuable advice from our advisors and tailored recommendations for jobs, and internships.
- Stay updated on the latest job and internship opportunities with Handshake, ensuring you never miss a chance to gain practical experience in your chosen field.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I declare my major?
The sooner, the better, since you have to complete 12 courses (as well as language study), and some of them are mandatory before going abroad. It is even more important if you are a Feb student and plan to go abroad for a year. Major/Advisor Declaration or Change Form
Can I double major or minor in another discipline?
Because of the complex and interdisciplinary nature of the international politics and economics major, IP&E students are strongly advised not to pursue an additional major. In addition, IP&E majors may not minor in either economics or political science. Students are permitted to major or minor in their language of focus for the IP&E major; however, they may not double count courses for the IP&E major and the language major or minor.
Do I need to write a Senior Honors Thesis?
No. You do not need to write a Senior Honors Thesis to obtain a degree in IP&E. We encourage you to consider doing one, however, as it can be an enriching research experience at the end of your college career. A thesis is required to graduate with departmental Honors and only those with an average GPA of 3.3 or higher in their IP&E-courses are eligible.
What Middlebury College courses count toward the major?
See our course listings for more information.
Can I count a course offered during winter term for my IPE major?
Yes, but only if they are specifically listed on the IP&E course listings.
How do I know if an elective counts toward my major?
In addition to the seven core IP&E courses listed in the requirements, students must complete five electives. Three of these must be political science courses, of which one must be a senior seminar (a course at the 0400 level taken at Middlebury); two must be economics courses, of which one must be a senior seminar (a course at the 0400 level taken at Middlebury).
Does Econ 0228 (Economics of Agricultural Transition) count for the major?
If you took Econ 0228 up to and including Fall 2024, then yes it counts as an economics elective for IP&E. After Fall 2024, however, it will not count toward major requirements.
Will I get credits for courses taken abroad?
To see if a course has already been approved for elective credit, first check the Study Abroad Course page. If a course is not listed, complete a transfer credit form and submit it with supporting documents (course description and syllabus if available) to the IP&E Director for pre-approval .
What about AP, IB, or A-level credits?
See our Advanced Placement policy.
Do I have to go abroad to a country where they speak my non-English language of study?
No, though we strongly encourage it. It is possible to study abroad elsewhere (for example in an English-speaking country) if you are particularly interested in a specific program. You must still fulfill the proficiency requirements for your language of study. At a minimum, this means achieving the level required by the language department to go abroad to a program in that language.
I am an international student; do I have to go abroad and do I need to take a language?
Study abroad is a required part of the IP&E major for all students. All IP&E students must achieve the level of proficiency (set by the language department) that would permit them to study abroad in a language taught at Middlebury. Students who have achieved that level upon arrival at Middlebury through previous coursework or because they are native speakers are encouraged (but not required) to continue the study of that language and/or to learn a new language.
Should I take ECON 0211?
ECON 0211 is a useful course for IP&E majors considering careers that involve data-intensive projects. It can also be useful for seniors undertaking data-intensive senior seminar papers or theses. However, it is not a requirement for the major. Moreover, MATH 0121 or its AP or IB equivalent is a prerequisite for taking ECON 0211.