International Economic Policy Master of Arts
The M.A. in International Economic Policy (MIEP) provides a strong foundation for those pursuing challenging careers in international economics, development economics, and international business. Students acquire hard skills that give them an edge in the increasingly competitive job market. Late afternoon and evening classes accommodate schedules of working professionals and students pursuing internships and part-time employment in Washington D.C.
MIEP also includes an optional STEM-designated track that focuses on econometrics and economic modeling.
The MIEP program does not require proficiency in a foreign language.
Typically, about sixty percent of MIEP students studied economics or business as undergraduates. The balance comes from myriad backgrounds. But all students share the same passion for understanding the complex issues of international economic policy.
The average undergraduate GPA for incoming students in Fall 2019 was 3.5.
The program also has a long tradition of attracting students from around the world - about one-third are non-U.S. citizens. In Fall 2019, international students were 60 percent of the incoming class. More information relevant for international students can be found here.
Students are not required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language. But students do have strong (non-calculus-based) economic theory and quantitative requirements.
What You'll Study
- Required core classes include: international trade; international macroeconomics; development economics; and statistics.
- Students choose between an accounting and corporate finance sequence or two semesters of econometrics.
- Students have 18 credits of electives for a student-defined professional specialization.
Applicants
Students applying for MIEP must have completed an introductory microeconomics and introductory macroeconomics course at the time of application.
Admitted students
Admitted students who join MIEP in Fall 2020 and thereafter must demonstrate proficiency in intermediate* microeconomics and macroeconomics before enrolling in any course with an “ECON” department designation, including required core economics courses. Those without this demonstrated proficiency may take courses in other departments at George Washington.
*For more details, review our intermediate theory requirement or contact [email protected].
Full-time students typically take the following courses in a cohort with other MIEP students:
- ECON 6283 Survey of International Trade Theory and Policy
- ECON 6284 Survey of International Macroeconomics and Finance Theory and Policy
- ECON 6294 Development Economics
- IAFF 6191 Financial Accounting*
- IAFF 6193 Corporate Finance*
* Students, in consultation with the program director, may take two econometrics courses instead of the accounting and finance sequence.
Students are required to take an introductory graduate statistics course. MIEP students may choose from the following.
- IAFF 6501 Quantitative Analysis for IA Professionals
- PPPA 6002 Research Methods and Applied Statistics
- ECON 6374 Probability and Statistics for Economics (with Program Director permission. Current knowledge of calculus is a prerequisite.)
Students work closely with the program director to design a Professional Specialization to fulfill each student’s individual academic and professional goals. This specialization is completed in the second year for full time students.
Past areas of focus include:
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Economic Development: relevant courses, sample study plan
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International Business and Finance: relevant courses, sample study plan
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International Trade and Investment Policy: relevant courses, sample study plan (trade), sample study plan (macro)
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Quantitative Analysis: relevant courses, sample study plan
Students are welcome to pursue their own combination of professionally relevant coursework, including a regional focus.
MIEP students may apply to pursue a STEM-designated program with the permission of the Program Director. Students must have completed one college level calculus class as well as courses in intermediate micro- and macroeconomic theory.
Students pursuing this track must complete the following courses:
- ECON 6300 Mathematics for Economists
- Econ 6374 Probability and Statistics for Economics
- ECON 6375 Applied Econometrics
- ECON 6376 Time Series Analysis
Students also complete a separate capstone project with mathematical modeling and econometric analysis.
Students may take up to three elective one-credit skills courses offered by the Elliott School on topics such as:
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Negotiating Skills
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Public Speaking
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STATA Fundamentals
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Analyzing International Economic Data
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Formal Briefing
MIEP students participate in the Elliott School’s Global Capstone. The year-long Capstone program offers students the exciting opportunity to conduct research for external clients. Students form small groups with other Elliott School students in the fall semester of their final year. Participants work with clients to complete a relevant real-world project during their final semester. Many students are able to conduct international field research with financial assistance from the Elliott School.
For more information, please explore the Global Capstone page.
- Students’ projects from earlier years can be found on the ITIP capstone project page.
Careers
Our master's graduates pursue a wide variety of exciting careers in public service, business, management consulting, development agencies and international organizations. Recent examples of job placements include:
- The World Bank Group
- The Brookings Institute
- Bank of China
- Capital One
- U.S. International Trade Commission
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- International Monetary Fund
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- IBM
The Elliott School provides current students and alumni with resources and support to help launch their career. The Elliott School’s Graduate Student Career Development Center has a variety of tools including career counseling, workshops, site visits and information sessions.
ITIP Legacy
Prior to academic year 2019, this program was called “International Trade and Investment Policy” affectionately known to alumni and faculty as ITIP. The ITIP program had a twenty-year history of training outstanding professionals in the broader field of international economic policy. While the name has changed, the MIEP and ITIP student body and alumni network combine the best features of the Elliott School: rigorous academics, strong professional development, and dedication to understanding the complexities of global challenges.
Affiliated Institute
The Institute for International Economic Policy (IIEP)
The Institute for International Economic Policy (IIEP) serves as a catalyst for high quality, multi-disciplinary and non-partisan research on policy issues surrounding economic globalization. IIEP hosts dozens of high-profile events yearly and supports a wide variety of GW faculty focused on issues such as international trade policy, international macroeconomics development economics and international political economy. MIEP students have participated in research projects conducted by Institute researchers and are welcome to attend the extraordinary events organized by IIEP.
How to Apply
When you're ready to apply to the program, you will need to follow the graduate admissions process, including completing and submitting the online application with all of the required materials.
There are also certain prerequisites that applicants must meet to be able to apply to the program.
