The Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) Professional Program at California State University, Long Beach is designed to prepare leaders for a changing world by providing the skills that employers demand for the global workforce of the 21st century. Greater Los Angeles is one of the most globally-connected metropolitan areas in the world. The region’s diversity of trade, international investments, cultures, and languages exceed that of all but a small handful of countries. Employment opportunities in California reflect a demand for related competencies globally.

The program, aligned with global standards in the field, combines interdisciplinary, policy-oriented, intercultural and global studies with career development. Through a cohort design, students attain both the international and project management skills employers demand for the global workforce of the 21st century. This 18-month program includes 12 months in residence, followed by a carefully placed internship. Graduates become prepared for careers in areas such as International Development & Relief, Migration Advocacy, International Non-Profit Management, International Business, and Trade Policy. 

The MAIA program identifies and develops the professional skills necessary for a successful international career in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors—both at home and abroad. The core elements of the program include methodological skills, functional competence, and foreign language knowledge with a multidisciplinary approach. The curriculum applies prevalent theory to real-world situations, while developing tools for project development and problem resolution. 

PROGRAM COURSE REQUIREMENTS (33 units) 

Required Core Courses (18 units, 6 courses): 

1. MAIA 600-International Affairs Cornerstone (3 units) 

This course is an introduction to the major themes and core principals of international development, immigration, and migration. It is a comprehensive introduction covering central concepts of international relations theories and analytical approaches to main international issues and their stakeholders. Letter grade only (A-F).  

2. MAIA 610-International Economics (3 units) 

This course engages key issues in international macroeconomics; international trade; and international finance. Topics include: growth, inflation, trade—surplus and deficits; monetary policy, interest and exchange rates; financial integration, crises and contagion; neoliberal globalization and anti-globalism; international and regional economic agreements; and prospects for policy coordination and reform in international trade and finance. Letter grade only (A-F). 

3. MAIA 620-International Politics (3 units) 

This course introduces students to the seminal issues international politics as it relates to public policy. Students develop analytic tools, review analytic frameworks, and apply them to a series cases to better understand policy outcomes. Letter grade only (A-F). 

4. MAIA 630-Policy Making Process (3 units) 

Course introduces core theories and models of policymaking process, and tools of policy analysis; and application of these concepts and analytical tools to specific policy areas including economic development and poverty, health, education, immigration, transportation, environment, and energy. Letter grade only (A-F). 

5. MAIA 640-Scope and Methods of International Affairs (3 units)

This course provides students with tools for designing research and policy papers 

in international affairs. It includes principles of concepts and design, quantitative research methods, concrete research techniques with an emphasis on qualitative methods, and application of methods to professions. Letter grade only (A-F).

6. MAIA 650-Project Management (3 units) 

Examines the theoretical and practical elements of project management. Explores how and why to use tools of project management, the project cycle, and technical aspects of monitoring and evaluation. Letter grade only (A-F). 

Track Options (Choose One-Offered in Summer Term) (9 units, 3 courses):

International Development and Non-Profit Management  

1. MAIA 605-International Economic Development (3 units) 

A critical examination of theories and approaches to the study of development. Topics include: ideologies of development; institutions; states, markets, and communities; foreign aid, debt, trade; food and nutrition; education and health; environment and climate change. Letter grade only (A-F). 

2. MAIA 615-Management of Nonprofit Organizations (3 units) 

This course engages theories, methods, and practices affecting nonprofits. Topics include: history of philanthropy—international and domestic, volunteerism, and the role of non-profits as civil society; governance, strategy and planning; financial management, fundraising and budgeting; non-profit and business; emerging trends in nonprofit practice: venture philanthropy and social entrepreneurship; public sector and non-profits. Letter grade only (A-F). 

OR 

Migration and Immigration Advocacy 

1. MAIA 635-Global Trends in International Migration (3 units) 

Examines major global migration trends since 1945 and surveys key literature in the field of migration studies. Emphasis is on applying theoretical perspectives and comparative methodology to pressing issues of immigration, emigration, and forced migration. Letter grade only (A-F). 

2. MAIA 645-Labor Migration (3 units) 

The course will examine the impact of major international migration flows and current patterns in the spatial mobility of people and divisions of labor across the globe, querying how certain types of work become clustered in specific geo-political locations and populated by particular types of workers. Letter grade only (A-F). 

3. MAIA 655-Citizenship and Immigration Law (3 units) 

This course focuses on four questions: Who is a citizen of the United States? Who can come to this country as an immigrant? When and why can non-citizens be forced to leave? How and why does citizenship matter? Letter grade only (A-F). 

Additional Requirements (6 units, 2 courses)  

1. MAIA 698-Capstone Project 

A project-oriented course designed to synthesize the skills and knowledge that students have acquired in their graduate studies. Students will undertake a supervised international affairs-related internship. Professional work is supplemented by writing, discussion, problem-solving, and efforts to connect program theories and concepts to real world experiences, culminating in a written Capstone Project. Letter grade only (A-F).

2. MAIA 660-Budgets

This course is an introduction to core concepts and principals of budgeting in public and private nonprofit international organizations, which operate in international development, immigration and migration. It is a comprehensive course to explain and analyze central approaches to budgeting. Letter grade only (A-F).

Admission decisions are based on consideration of the applicant’s previous academic record, statement of purpose, resume, and letters of recommendation.

• A bachelor’s degree in a social science, language, or related field from a regionally accredited university 
• A minimum GPA of 2.7 in the last 60 semester units attempted, and good standing at the last college attended
• A statement of purpose
• A recent resume
• Two letters of recommendation
• International applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. For more information, visit the English Language Requirement page.
• Although there is no prerequisite coursework, applicants are strongly encouraged to have completed Introduction to Macroeconomics and Introduction to Microeconomics. 
• While language proficiency is a criterion for graduation, not admission, applicants are encouraged to complete basic proficiency in a second language in advance of enrollment.  Please consult with the program director for more information. 

Admission to the MAIA degree program requires approval by the University and the program's Graduate Applicant Review Committee. Please follow all directions closely.

Admission Criteria, Documentation, and Information

To be admitted to the program, you must apply for admission using the California State University admissions portal called Cal State Apply. By applying online, you can start, stop, and save your application information throughout the process. Note the following steps to begin the application process:

• Select a term to apply for (Fall)
• Sign in or create an account
• Select CSU Long Beach as your campus and Select Extended Education as the Source
• Select International Affairs from the list of available programs; and once chosen, the program title will be highlighted in green with a check mark to indicate that you have chosen the correct program
• Use the dashboard to continue with your application for admission to the program

You will be asked to provide the following:

• Personal Information
• Academic History
• Supporting Information
• Program Materials

Note the following admissions criteria and information:

• You must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or have completed equivalent academic preparation at a foreign university, as determined by the appropriate campus authority.
• You must be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended.
• You must have attained an acceptable grade-point average in any of the following ways: (a) hold an advanced degree; (b) hold a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 (A = 4.0); or (c) hold a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.
• Students in the process of completing a baccalaureate degree may be admitted on a provisional basis, subject to proof of degree completion by the established deadline, if their cumulative GPA is at least 2.7 or if the GPA in their last 60 semester or 90 quarter units are calculated at 2.5 or higher.
• Admission to CSULB is competitive. We prefer applicants who have earned at least a 3.0 grade-point average in the last 60 semester units attempted. A student whose overall grade point average is less than 3.0, but who presents acceptable evidence of professional potential (either through recent academic performance and/or experiential background), may be admitted by special action of the program's Graduate Applicant Review Committee.

Note the following documentation requirements and information:

• Official transcripts from all previously attended academic institutions after high school must be sent directly to CSULB Enrollment Services. Do not send transcripts to faculty, staff, or the Department, because they will be returned unopened. Some academic institutions will send your transcripts electronically to CSULB. Other institutions will send your transcripts by U.S. Mail, which must be send to the following address:

• Office of Admissions and Records
  California State University, Long Beach
  1250 Bellflower Blvd.
  Long Beach, CA 90840-0106

• The Cal State Apply website requests transcript entry. Graduate applicants need only enter courses that are in-progress or planned. Select “I am Not Adding Any College Transcripts” if you do not have in-progress or planned coursework. Do NOT enter individual course information from each individual institution attended, unless you want the system to calculate your grade point average. Entering all of this information is not necessary for admission to our program.
• You may send your resume and two (2) letters of recommendation directly to the Program Director, along with your relevant experiences, achievements, and a Statement of Purpose. Documents may be sent by email or U.S. Mail, but email is strongly encouraged for most efficient communication. Please note: letters of recommendation must come directly from the individuals signing the letters.
  • Richard R. Marcus Ph.D. (Richard.Marcus@csulb.edu)
    Program Director, MAIA Program
    LA3-100, MS 4605
    California State University, Long Beach
    1250 Bellflower Blvd.
    Long Beach, CA 90840-0501

• Review and submit your application with the fee by the published deadline.
• You may periodically email the Graduate Advisor for a status report.
• Wait for an admissions decision to come by email directly from CSULB Enrollment Services. If you are admitted to the program, you will receive course scheduling and enrollment instructions from the Graduate Advisor at least two weeks before the semester begins.
• If you have special admissions needs or questions, please contact the appropriate CSULB office directly: 
• Veterans Services
• International Admissions
• Financial Aid 

Application Deadlines

The MAIA program admits students for the Fall semester only. The MAIA application deadline is June 1 for Fall admission.