School of Global Policy and Strategy

Career tracks are designed for students to acquire expertise in a functional area of their choice and consist of five courses from a prescribed list: two required and three electives. Students will choose one of the following career tracks:

International Economics
International Environmental Governance
International Development and Nonprofit Management
International Management
International Politics

Students will choose one of the following country/regional specializations:
China
Japan
Korea
Latin America
Southeast Asia

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

The following test(s) are accepted by this department:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Minimum of 2 recommendations required.

In Lieu of a letter of recommendation, recommenders may opt to complete the rubric on the application.

Required

Statement of Purpose has no word limit, and can include the following information:

Your research interests and/or professional objectives in international affairs
How your background has prepared you to pursue these objectives
How the GPS program will help you achieve these objectives

Required

In addition to core classes, students must also satisfy the requirements of a career track and complete regional electives for a regional specialization:

China

Korea

Japan

Latin America

Southeast Asia

Career tracks are designed for students to focus their studies in a functional area of their choice:

International Relations

International Political Economy

International Public Policy

Environmental Policy and Sustainability

Security of the Asia-Pacific

Applicants must have a minimum of five years, full-time, relevant professional experience. The requirements for international experience might be met in a number of ways, including:

Foreign work experience or work experience with a multinational enterprise, government entity or NGO with foreign operations
Extended residence abroad
Other relevant international experience, considered on a case by case basis

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

The following test(s) are accepted by this department:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Minimum of 3 recommendations required.

All letters of recommendation must be in English. Those making the recommendations can submit the recommendation directly through the online graduate application or mail it to the GPS Admissions Office in a sealed envelope signed across the flap by the recommender. The recommendation must include complete contact information for the recommender.

Required

The Statement of Purpose has no word limit and may include:

Your interests and/or professional objectives in international affairs
How your background has prepared you to pursue these objectives
How the GPS program will help you achieve these objectives

Required

Applicants must have a minimum of five years, full-time, relevant professional experience. The requirements for international experience might be met in a number of ways, including:

Foreign work experience or work experience with a multinational enterprise, government entity or NGO with foreign operations
Extended residence abroad
Other relevant international experience, considered on a case by case basis

**Applications submitted after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis. Contact gps-apply@ucsd.edu for more information.

Areas of Specialization:

American and Comparative Business Regulation
Environmental Policy
Health Policy
Inequality and Social Policy
Peace and Security
Program Design and Evaluation

While the MPP does not have a language requirement, students may decide that language proficiency is an important skill for their career goal. Students will be allowed to use up to 24 graded units of undergraduate or GPS language courses toward the 92 units required for the degree. The courses must be taken at UCSD or through a UC transferable program while a matriculated student at GPS, and must match course work on a country focus. Approval by petition by fall of the second year is required.

Latin America—Spanish or Brazilian Portuguese
Japan—Japanese
China—Mandarin Chinese
Korea—Korean
Southeast Asia—Bahasa Indonesian, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Burmese, Tagalog, Hindi, and Thai
Other regions/countries and appropriate languages may be allowed by petition and intellectual justification.

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

The following test(s) are accepted by this department:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Minimum of 3 recommendations required.

Required

Statement of Purpose has no word limit, and can include the following information:

Your research interests and/or professional objectives in public policy
How your background has prepared you to pursue these objectives
How the GPS program will help you achieve these objectives

Required

Career tracks are designed for students to acquire expertise in a functional area of their choice and consist of five courses from a prescribed list: two required and three electives. Students will choose one of the following career tracks:

International Development and Nonprofit Management
International Economics
International Environmental Governance
International Management
International Politics

**Applications submitted after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis. Contact gps-apply@ucsd.edu for more information.

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

The following test(s) are accepted by this department:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Minimum of 3 recommendations required.

All letters of recommendation must be in English. Those making the recommendations can submit the recommendation directly through GradApply or mail it to the GPS Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope signed across the flap by the recommender. The recommendation must include complete contact information for the recommender.

Required

Statement of Purpose has no word limit, and can include the following information:

Your research interests and/or professional objectives in international affairs
How your background has prepared you to pursue these objectives
How the GPS program will help you achieve these objectives

Required

Chinese Economy
Chinese Environment
Chinese Foreign Relations and Security
Chinese Politics and Public Policy

The ability to use original language source material is essential for serious professional analysis of China, thus students must possess language skills that are appropriate to the type of research they propose to conduct.

Students are strongly encouraged to conduct fieldwork in China during the summer between year one and year two of the program. GPS will work with partner universities in China to create opportunities for extended fieldwork and training that might include both summer and year two fall quarter.

**Applications submitted after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis. Contact gps-apply@ucsd.edu for more information.

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

The following test(s) are accepted by this department:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Minimum of 3 recommendations required.

Required

Statement of Purpose has no word limit, and can include the following information:

Your research interests and/or professional objectives in public policy
How your background has prepared you to pursue these objectives
How the GPS program will help you achieve these objectives

Required

Specializations are designed for students to acquire expertise in a functional area of their choice and consist of five courses from a prescribed list: two required and three electives. Students will choose one of the following Areas of Specialization:

American and Comparative Business Regulation
Environmental Policy
Health Policy
Inequality and Social Policy
Peace and Security
Program Design and Evaluation

While the BA/MPP does not have a language requirement, students may decide that language proficiency is an important skill for their career goal. Students will be allowed to use up to 12 graded units of undergraduate or GPS language courses toward the 92 units required for the degree. The courses must be taken at UCSD or through a UC transferable program while a matriculated student at GPS, and must match course work on a country focus. Approval by petition by fall of the second year is required.

Latin America—Spanish or Brazilian Portuguese
Japan—Japanese
China—Mandarin Chinese
Korea—Korean
Southeast Asia—Bahasa Indonesian, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Burmese, Tagalog, Hindi, and Thai
Other regions/countries and appropriate languages may be allowed by petition and intellectual justification.

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

The following test(s) are accepted by this department:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Minimum of 2 recommendations required.

In Lieu of a letter of recommendation, recommenders may opt to complete the rubric on the application.

Required

Statement of Purpose has no word limit, and can include the following information:

Your research interests and/or professional objectives in public policy
How your background has prepared you to pursue these objectives
How the GPS program will help you achieve these objectives

Required