IPD, ITED, and MPA Updates: Increased Affordability, Flexibility, and Employability

Evolving to Meet Your Needs

The world and the challenges we train our students to address have changed. We continually review our programs, seek feedback, and adapt. The changes to these programs are some of the first of many exciting updates we are making to best prepare our students to advance understanding, promote peace, and drive change in pursuit of a more just world.

We are finalizing details of these changes and wanted you to be aware as you plan for the next steps in your career. A full announcement will be made before the end of this calendar year.

Programs

This first set of updates will be made to the following master’s programs:

• International Policy and Development (IPD)
• International Trade and Economic Diplomacy (ITED)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Related joint degree programs

Affordability

By streamlining the curriculum, these programs will be more affordable and more flexible. You will be able to complete your master’s program with fewer credits and in fewer semesters—exact details will be provided in the full announcement. The shortened programs will not only lower your overall tuition and living costs but will also accelerate your return to the workforce.

Flexibility

While you will have the option of completing your degree in a shorter time, including taking advantage of summer semesters, you may prefer to take more time to better accommodate internships or to add a specialization or a second degree that aligns with your career interests. Our personalized approach to career and academic advising means that you will have expert guidance in crafting the path that works best for you.

Employability

We are not only streamlining the curriculum but redesigning the content to better align with the key competencies employers are looking for. We are also improving our methods of delivery to integrate more applied and experiential courses. This will give you even greater real-world experience before you graduate, making you a more attractive candidate.

Current and Incoming Spring 2022 Students

These changes will take effect in fall 2022, but students who are currently enrolled in these programs (and will still be enrolled in fall 2022), as well as incoming spring 2022 students will be able to take advantage of many of these benefits. More information will be available in the official announcement, and your advisors will work with you to coordinate the details of your particular situation.

Next Steps

We greatly appreciate your patience as we finalize the details of these changes before the end of the calendar year. Please watch your email for both the official announcement of program changes and for opportunities to have your questions answered.