MA in International Public Affairs (MAIPA)

Professor Nick Sitter
MIPA Program Director

“The program provides students with a solid conceptual grounding in international dimensions of public affairs including skills that will prepare you for a career in policy-making, government, international and non-governmental organizations.”

The MA in International Public Affairs (MAIPA) is an interdisciplinary degree with an international profile intended for students who aspire to work in international organizations, NGOs, public administration, or related fields such as journalism and academia.

International Public Affairs captures two dimensions of study: on the one hand, the international, which includes governance on the regional, global and transnational levels; and on the other hand, the public, which includes interaction among the government, private and the voluntary sector.  After the first term of compulsory courses in public policy, politics, economics, and international relations, MAIPA students must choose one of two specializations for the next three terms of their MA: (i) Democracy and Rule of Law or (ii) Policy and Governance. The final two terms of the second year are devoted to a mandatory thesis.

The MA in International Public Affairs is open to students with undergraduate degrees in social sciences, humanities, law and related subjects.

OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE PROGRAM

The overarching aim of the program is to provide students with a solid conceptual grounding in international dimensions of public affairs that will prepare students for their future roles as policy-makers, advisors, and analysts in government, international organizations and non-governmental organizations or in journalism, thinks tanks and academia. Through the courses included in the core curricula, the course is designed to give graduate a broad interdisciplinary base that draws on the disciplines of economics, international relations, politics and public policy.

STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM

The program consists of seven modules:

https://dpp.ceu.edu/list-modules

  • The Foundation Module takes place in the autumn and winter terms of year 1. It consists of four foundations courses (some of which stretch over two terms), totaling 18 US credits.
  • The Democracy 1 Module consists of mandatory elective courses of 2 or 4 US credits each. Students who take the Democracy and Rule of Law track must complete 6 US credits from this pool. These courses are elective courses for students in the Policy and Governance track.
  • The Policy 1 Module consists of mandatory elective courses of 2 or 4 US credits each. Students who take the Policy and Governance track must complete 6 US credits from this pool. These courses are elective courses for students in the Democracy and Rule of Law track.
  • The Research Methods Module takes place in the autumn and winter terms of year 1. It consists of mandatory courses worth 4 US credits, plus one elective course.
  • The Democracy 2 Module consists of a number of mandatory elective courses. Students who take the Democracy and Rule of Law track must complete 10 US credits from this pool. These courses are elective courses for students in the Policy and Governance track.
  • The Policy 2 Module consists of a number of mandatory elective courses. Students who take the Policy and Governance track must complete 10 US credits. These courses are elective courses for students in the Democracy and Rule of Law track.
  • The Thesis Module consists of the written master’s thesis, worth 12 US credits. It is mandatory for all students.

Students take 12 US credits in elective courses to reach  60 US credits.

Please note that language courses and computer courses are not part of the program curriculum and hence related credits will not count towards your degree.

Students can transfer 2 US credits between year 1 to year 2. Eg. If they complete 32 US credits in year 1, the minimum credits required in year 2 will be reduced from 30 US credits  to 28 US credits.

Second year students may also choose from Policy 1 and Democracy 1 courses.

An optional Internship can replace one 2 US credit course (Elective or Mandatory Elective) in the second year.

Course list 2024/25

Program credit requirements

Students choose one of two tracks:

The Democracy and Rule of Law track 

Students in the Democracy and Rule of Law track must complete the Foundation Module (18 US credits); at least 6 US credits from the Democracy 1 module; at least 10 US credits from the Democracy 2 module; and as well as the Research Module (at least 4 US credits), at least 2 US credits from the Policy 1 module and the thesis (12 US credits)The remaining 8 US credits are to be selected from freely elective courses from the Research Methods module, an optional internship and courses from DPP and/or other departments.

The Policy and Governance track 

Students in the Policy and Governance track must complete the Foundation Module (18 US credits); at least 6 US credits from the Policy 1 module; at least 10 US credits from the Policy 2  module; and as well as the Research Module (at least 4 US credits), at least 2 US credits  from the Democracy 1 module  and the thesis (12 US credits). The remaining 8 US credits are to be selected from freely elective courses from the Research Methods modules, an optional internship and courses from DPP  and/or other departments.

The two tracks have common mandatory courses in the Foundation Module and the Research Methods Module, but have different rules for the number of courses that are to be selected from the Policy 1, Policy 2¸Democracy 1 and Democracy 2 modules.

Learning Outcomes

  • Systematic understanding of theories, concepts and principles behind ‘international public affairs’;
  • Systematic understanding ‘international public affairs’ at all levels of governance;
  • Systematic understanding of, and capability to work with, the core research methods of economics, international relations, politics and public policy
  • Systematic development of interdisciplinary skills across economics, international relations, politics and public policy
  • An ability to navigate disciplinary boundaries and work with interdisciplinary research including a strong humanities/history component

Application requirements:

Applying to the MA in International Public Affairs (MAIPA) requires you to submit an application for the two-year MA

IPA program fulfilling the CEU Admission Requirements. Please check the application check list. 

Below is the list of the documents you need to prepare for applying to CEU's master's and doctoral programs, as well as the link to the CEU Online Application Form:

  1. Academic Writing Submission(s)
  2. Letters of Recommendation
  3. Academic Records
  4. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  5. Proof of English Proficiency
  6. Completed CEU Application Form

As for the Academic Writing Submission,  applicants are required to submit a Statement of  Purpose that is specific to the two-year MIPA program. In 500 words please explain why you wish to pursue the two-year MIPA at CEU, and in particular, how you consider the ‘international public affairs’ orientation of the program will benefit your future professional or research career.  This statement of purpose should also describe the applicant's previous studies and/or research undertaken that has lead them towards developing an interest in the Master of International Public Affairs. 

 

APPLY HERE