Global Economic and Business Relations

The Master of Science in Global Economic and Business Relations degree is a 36-credit in-person master’s program that prepares students to conduct sophisticated quantitative analysis across a wide range of policy areas in varying national contexts and with a global perspective. Graduates will work in positions in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors that require them to collect, compile, and analyze data relevant to critical policy questions.

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies.

All applicants will submit two letters of recommendation, a current resume or CV, and a statement of purpose. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Students will also be asked to write a short essay addressing their preparation for the rigorous methods component of the program with reference to relevant coursework completed.

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Applicants with a minimum TOEFL total score of 80 with a score of 19 or higher on the speaking section of the TOEFL Internet-based test will be considered for admission, though a score of 23 or higher is desirable.

Admissions will be based on a review of all submitted materials and spaces will be offered to the best qualified applicants, considering academic achievement, relevant work experience and other indices of aptitude for advanced study.

Degree Requirements

Master of Science (M.S.)

A minimum of 36 credits at the 400, 500, 600, or 800 level is required, with at least 18 credits at the 500-level. Students who complete foundations, core, and methods requirements with only 12 hours at the 500-level will complete a 500-level elective along with the culminating research project, INTAF 594, to reach 18 credits at the 500-level.

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Approval to take BOTH INTAF 505 and INTAF 513 rather than an applied STAT course is possible upon application to the Director if justified by intended career path and plan of study.

Minor

A graduate minor is available in any approved graduate major or dual-title program. The default requirements for a graduate minor are stated in Graduate Council policy GCAC-218 Minors.

Student Aid

Refer to the Tuition & Funding section of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School's website. Students in this program are not eligible for graduate assistantships.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

International Affairs (INTAF) Course List

Learning Outcomes

1. KNOW: Identify major components and actors in the international system and global economy.
2. APPLY/CREATE: Gather and analyze bodies of data and test hypotheses to enable students to evaluate policies related to global economic and business interactions.
3. THINK: Analyze complex data structures common to real-world issues including panel, multi-level, categorical, and time series data.
4. COMMUNICATE: Clearly articulate findings from quantitative analyses in both oral and written formats.
5. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Display ethical decision making and sensitivity to cultural difference when analyzing an international problem.

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