Joint Master of Public Administration/Master of Arts in International Trade

Our joint MPA/MA in International Trade is specifically designed to give you real-world experience before you graduate, culminating in a semesterlong practicum, which can be an internship or field-based research project.

Study On-Site and/or Online

Your courses are available in person and online. You may start and complete your entire degree program remotely if you pursue full-time enrollment—please note that your online courses are live (synchronous) so you will have to keep time zones in mind. The faculty, curriculum, and per-credit cost are the same for both formats so you will have the flexibility to study online or in person, or easily switch between the two experiences as your personal and professional needs allow.

Two Degrees in Four Semesters

Students gain the sophisticated knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively manage programs related to trade and development. Trade can affect employment, income, economic growth, and stability in both positive and negative ways. A degree program that combines trade and management equips graduates to lead programs and organizations that work to mitigate the unfavorable effects of trade policies while amplifying positive outcomes.

If you’re interested in a management career at the intersection of development and trade, you can earn both a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Master of Arts in International Trade (ITED) in four semesters.

* Due to visa restrictions, some international students may only be able to pursue the 60-credit program remotely. Alternatively, they can apply to an in-person, five-semester, 76-credit version of the program.   

Launch Your Career

Career and Academic Advising

Your career and academic advising are integrated, ensuring you align your coursework with your career goals. Our experienced advisors will guide you from course registration to preparing for interviews, negotiating your employment offers, and managing your career.

Alumni Network

Our large and influential alumni network in California, Washington, D.C., and other centers of development and trade is eager to help you prepare for your next steps. Our Middlebury in DC office provides the entire Middlebury community with a wealth of resources. Furthermore, our annual Career Exploration Week in the nation’s capital gives you facilitated and direct access to D.C.-based employers and our alumni who help us to plan the event. 

Location

Starting your program in Monterey places you in Central California, the dominant import/export region in the United States, home to major agricultural firms, the international economic hub in San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. There is ample opportunity for establishing real-world connections to your academic studies.

Careers

Our graduates are often hired before they complete their program, leveraging real-world projects from their classes, internships, and practicum to showcase their relevant professional experience. They secure leadership roles applying their management, financial, and program evaluation skills to programming focused on trade promotion, negotiations, compliance, and facilitation. They work in a range of professional capacities at the intersection of trade and development in a variety organizations, including the following:

• U.S. Government: Departments of Commerce, State, and Agriculture; U.S. Trade Representative

• Banking: JPMorgan Chase, BNP Paribas, First Republic Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank of the West

• NGOs and Think Tanks: Management Systems International, Catholic Relief Services, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law

• Private Business: Apple, PayPal, Salesforce, Nokia, Cisco, NEC, Mercer, Deloitte, McKinsey, Tesla

Career-Oriented Options

If your career interests are more aligned with program management, you may be interested in this Joint MPA/ITED program. If your interests are more focused on policy analysis, the Joint IPD/ITED would be an appropriate path.

Integrated Curriculum

The integrated curriculum helps you develop critical skills in international development program management, trade policy, compliance, negotiation, and the design of complex solution strategies. Students gain valuable work experience by completing a professional practicum.

To open up your global career opportunities you can take content courses in a second language and/or courses in intercultural competence.

See the curriculum for more details.

Our Faculty

You will have access to faculty members from multiple degree programs. In addition to their academic roles, many are actively engaged in international organizations including the UNCHR (the UN Refugee Agency), USAID, the World Bank, the State Department, the World Trade Organization, the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the National Foreign Trade Council.

Meet the MPA faculty and the ITED faculty.

Research and Practice

Build valuable professional experience while earning your degree through our research centers, labs, and initiatives:

• The Mixed-Methods Evaluation, Training, and Analysis (META) Lab addresses the growing need for data-savvy professionals across a broad range of fields.
• The Center for Conflict Studies focuses on the application of the right tools for conflict resolution and approaches conflicts as vehicles for change.
• The Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies enables students with advanced Russian language skills to professionalize their interest in Russia and Eurasia.
• The Digital Learning Commons is your campus hub for technology, creative problem solving, exploration, and peer-to-peer teaching and learning.

Peace Corps Connections

• Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) are encouraged to apply for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, earning yourself a guaranteed scholarship.

• You can integrate Peace Corps service into your degree through our Options for Peace Corps Service, earning yourself a 50 percent tuition scholarship for your final semester.

Financing Your Education

We offer a variety of resources to make your program more affordable including merit, need-based, partner, and external scholarships for both U.S. and international students. Your personal enrollment advisor is also available to help you think through financing this important investment in your career development.

Earning two master’s degrees in just four semesters represents a significant return on your investment, setting you up for a unique career trajectory.

Learn more about scholarships, financial aid, and tuition and fees.

How to Apply

We take a holistic approach when considering your application, looking at your academic background, international exposure, professional experience, and career goals. We welcome applicants with or without work experience, and our program has numerous opportunities for you to gain professional experience before you graduate. This approach aligns with the Institute’s core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We do not require GRE or GMAT scores for our master’s programs but competitive scores may strengthen your application and positively influence scholarship decisions.

Learn how to apply.