International Public Affairs

At the same time, critical policy problems such as environmental degradation, spread of deadly viruses, and financial market instability increasingly require strategies of global governance that coordinate across nations the actions of governments, businesses, and non-governmental agencies. In short, globalization has stretched the boundaries of public affairs, analytically and managerially. More than ever, the major and the mundane issues of governance link governments with players outside the public sector and beyond domestic borders.Through rigorous professional training across several disciplines, the Master of International Public Affairs (MIPA) degree program prepares students from the United States and around the world to engage in governance in ways that meet the challenges of globalization. MIPA graduates work in government at home and abroad, in businesses involved in the global economy, in non-governmental agencies with an international focus, and in consulting firms analyzing implications of international policies.

Six required courses are the foundation of the MIPA degree program.

• International Governance provides the broad substantive framework for the study of public affairs in the context of globalization. It identifies and explores major international policy issues and policy context, with an analytical emphasis on domestic and international public, private, and non-governmental influences in governance.
• Intro to Statistical Methods for Public Policy Analysis, Macroeconomic Policy and International Financial Regulation, and Microeconomic Policy Analysis develop competence in important analytic tools for the study of international public affairs. Students learn how to assess policy responses to macroeconomic events, evaluate implications of policies for efficiency and equity, and employ basic statistical methods to interpret and present quantitative data relevant to policy considerations.
• Policy Analysis for International Public Affairs
• Workshop in International Public Affairs, the MIPA capstone course, gives students practical experience working in teams and applying the conceptual and analytical tools acquired during three semesters of coursework to real-world international issues clients face in the public, private, and non-governmental sectors. Workshop clients have included the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris, the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., the International Land Coalition in Rome, and a non-governmental university in Bangladesh.

Application RequirementsOnline graduate application found on the UW-Madison Graduate School web siteResumePlease upload a current résumé to the graduate school application. If you cannot upload your résumé to the application, email it to Jennifer Donahoe at jdonahoe@lafollette.wisc.edu. Statement of PurposeThe statement of purpose provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your motivation to pursue the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) or Master of International Public Affairs (MIPA) and your commitment to a public service career. You can use this opportunity to explain how you might contribute to the diversity of the La Follette community. The essay, no more than two pages, double-spaced, can be sent as an upload to the online application or emailed directly to Jennifer Donahoe at jdonahoe@lafollette.wisc.edu.Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (submitted online)The admissions committee prefers at least two references from previous professors who can speak to your potential as a graduate student. Recommenders should submit letters through the electronic application.TranscriptsYou can email unofficial transcripts from all prior academic work to jdonahoe@lafollette.wisc.edu. The La Follette School will make admission recommendations based on the unofficial transcripts. However, new students must submit official transcripts in order to be officially accepted by the UW–Madison Graduate School.GRE ScoresAll students must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores before they can be considered for admission. It normally takes two to four weeks for the Educational Testing Service to download GRE scores to UW–Madison. Applicants should plan to take the GRE by early November to make the January priority consideration deadline. The UW–Madison institution code is 1846. The LSAT and MCAT cannot be used in place of the GRE. The GRE must have been taken within the past five years. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test: 92

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

The La Follette School awards scholarships and fellowships to new students on a merit basis. Scholarships are provided through generous donors, faculty and alumni.Two types of fellowships are available for La Follette School of Public Affairs students based on merit for their first year.

• La Follette School Fellowships are awarded each year on a merit basis. All students who apply by January 1 have priority consideration. Students are evaluated for fellowships during the application process. There is no separate application. La Follette School Fellowships provide a stipend for the first year of study, in-state tuition, and health insurance. Fellows are also given priority consideration for project assistantships during their second year. A project assistantship (PAship) provides tuition, health insurance coverage, and a stipend. During the second year, project assistants (PAs) pay their student fees.
• University of Wisconsin–Madison Graduate School Advanced Opportunity Fellowships are awarded to qualified targeted minority students or students from disadvantaged backgrounds. International students do not qualify for this fellowship.