Executive Summary
International Policy Management MS
The Master of Science in International Policy Management (MSIPM) program follows an
online, cohort model program. The proposed changes are to delete IPM 7760/Global
Experience which is a two-week Maymester trip abroad course, and rename IPM 7725
and 7756 to better reflect course content.
While MSIPM courses are taught online, we recognize the need for global and applied
experience and include a Capstone course at the end of the program. The proposed
revision would preserve—and further reinforce—the “global experience” concept in the
IPM 7765/Capstone course and, when practicable, encourage completion of an in-depth
experience abroad. Deletion of IPM 7760/Global Experience would also reduce the
overall number of program credit hours from 36 to 33 hours. Proposed changes appear
below:
The MSIPM program is a 36 33 semester-hour course of study that uses a cohort or
learning community-style of course delivery. Students admitted to the program will begin
as a group in fall semester of year one and complete the program by December of the
final fall semester in year two. Courses are offered only once during each cohort cycle.
Dropping out for a semester, or not taking a full load, will delay graduation.
Year One: Fall (9 Hours)


IPM 7720 - World Politics and Governance
IPM 7725 - Comparative Politics
IPM 7725 - Comparative Politics Comparative Policy and Politics
3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the MSIPM program.
This course examines the theory and method of comparative politics though the
study of Western and non-Western political institutions and societies. The course
provides students with an appreciation of the ways comparative political analysis
enhances understanding of many contemporary policy-related issues throughout
the world. It provides students with a familiarity of the comparative method of
inquiry and basic skills in conducting comparative research, analysis.

IPM 7740 - Strategic Negotiation and Decision-Making
Year One: Spring (9 Hours)



IPM 7730 - International Conflict Management
IPM 7735 - International Development: Policy and Practice
IPM 7745 - International Political Economy
Year One: Maymester (3 Hours)


IPM 7760 - Global Experience *
*The Global Experience course is mandatory for all students. If a student cannot
participate in a planned trip due to extenuating circumstances, that student may
petition for approval to substitute a Professional Experience Project in its place.
Year One: Summer (9 Hours)



IPM 7750 - Global Trade: Policy and Practice
IPM 7755 - Political Risk Management
IPM 7756 - Comparative Regulatory Politics Global Regulatory Policy
Year Two: Fall (6 Hours)


IPM 7765 - Capstone: Practicum or Thesis
6 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 6 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Second-year status in the MSIPM program.

All students will select a capstone path that includes either (1) a practical work
experience and final written report; or (2) a traditional Master’s thesis. The work
experience can take the form of an internship or experience in an appropriate
work setting. During this final semester students should be able to demonstrate
the ability to understand and articulate the policy management context of a
problem. The Capstone course provides the opportunity for students to clarify and
refine the global policy issues presented during their professional experience or
thesis hypothesis generation stage. Students will develop a project work plan;
identify appropriate methodologies for collecting and organizing relevant
information, and make policy recommendations for successful management of the
issues. Students in this course will communicate results effectively in writing and
by oral presentation and are encouraged to use the Global Experience (IPM 7760)
as a gateway into the practicum or thesis topic. Students in this course will
communicate results effectively in writing and by oral presentation and are
strongly encouraged to use the Capstone as the means to pursue a Global
Experience abroad for completion of their practicum or thesis.
Program Total (36 Hours) (33 Hours)