• New graduates with a bachelor’s degree in International/Global Studies, Political Science, Geography, History, Sociology, Anthropology, Languages, or related social science fields
• Experienced professionals in diverse fields looking to accelerate their career through opportunities in California as well as internationally
• Those working in the public sector, including federal, state, local, and/or foreign governments 
• Those working in private sector fields including trade, consulting, finance/banking, and business
• Those working in the nonprofit sector such as Nongovernmental Organizations, public interest and advocacy, and higher education

• Hybrid program combining online and in-person learning environments
• The MAIA program is designed accelerated to be completed in 18 months while keeping total costs commensurate with traditional graduate programs at CSULB.
• The MAIA program is one of the least expensive professional MA International Affairs programs in the country.
• Program includes Washington, DC-based staff to facilitate internships and job training in the nation’s capital so students can choose between interning in California, Washington, or abroad.
• The only professional master's degree program in International Affairs that includes a focus on serving California’s specific population and workforce needs in a global context

• Global systems patterns with attention to policy, conclusions, limitations, and implications
• Policy-making theories, models, and applications
• Project management and budgeting
• Causes, consequences, legal issues, and identity intersectionality in migration and immigration
• Contrasting perspectives and practical skills for international development
• How to apply international affairs skills to real-world problems
• How to identify pathways from your MAIA degree into career placements

• International Economics
• International Politics
• Scope and Methods for International Affairs
• International Economic Development
• Applied International Development
• Project Management
• Global Trends in International Migration
• Labor Migration
• Citizenship and Immigration Law
• Management of Nonprofit Organizations
• Budgets
• A student capstone project

• Completion of 33 units of approved graduate courses with a 3.0 GPA or better
• A graduate GPA of 3.0 or better in the program course requirements
• Successfully complete the culminating activity with a passing grade
• Satisfaction of all university graduation requirements

• Cost per unit: $515 (Starting Fall 2021)
• Cost per 3-unit course: $1,545
• Total cost of the program: $16,995
• Costs for books, software, or other course materials are in addition to the course fees.

Please contact the MAIA Program Developer, Matthew Reimers, at Matthew.Reimers@csulb.edu or (562) 985-8222 OR you may contact the MAIA Program Director, Dr. Richard R. Marcus, at Richard.Marcus@csulb.edu or (562) 985-4714.

Every step in the process for applying to the MAIA program is detailed on our How To Apply page.

New university graduates in with a baccalaureate degree in International/Global Studies, Political Science, Geography, History, Sociology, Anthropology, Languages, or a related social science field; or experienced professionals in diverse fields looking to looking to accelerate their career and open it to global opportunities in California, nationally, or abroad.

• New graduates with a bachelor’s degree in International/Global Studies, Political Science, Geography, History, Sociology, Anthropology, Languages, or related social science fields
• Experienced professionals in diverse fields looking to accelerate their career through opportunities in California as well as internationally
• Those working in the public sector, including federal, state, local, and/or foreign governments 
• Those working in private sector fields including trade, consulting, finance/banking, and business
• Those working in the nonprofit sector such as Nongovernmental Organizations, public interest and advocacy, and higher education

Common job titles in growth areas for graduates in International Affairs include social and community service managers, training and development managers, public relations and fundraising managers, operation research analysts, trade analysts, community development specialists, and immigration advocates.

International careers require specific skills, whether the work is taking place in California, Washington, DC or anywhere else in the world. The MAIA program at CSULB is one of only a small number of professional graduate programs nationwide that is designed to develop these critical skills. Small classes create a focused environment, allowing students to complete their degree in only 18 months. It is also the only program in the country to recognize California's specific role in International Affairs. California is the fifth largest economy in the world, and has more Foreign Direct Investment than most countries. Nearly half of California residents speak a language other than English, larger cities have their own international relations, and even local businesses are globally-engaged. Graduates are well-prepared for jobs in public, private, and non-profit sectors around the world.

Globalization has driven the movement of people, technology, goods, and norms in ways we could have never imagined, creating significant international challenges and opportunities that change the way we live and communicate. The goal of the MA in International Affairs is to provide for the advancement of international understanding by developing skills in areas of economics, politics, trade, development, and migration. By combining multidisciplinary, policy-oriented, intercultural studies with career development, the MAIA prepares students for the global workplace of the 21st century.

While no one specific degree can provide the international pathway, the MAIA is considered a gateway degree for a career in public service and nonprofit sector. While the largest percentage of International Affairs graduates go into the private sector, a disproportionately high percentage of graduates work for governments, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, and universities.

CSULB is a fully accredited program by the Network of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). All of our full-time faculty have the highest degrees in their fields from highly regarded Universities and have extensive experience in teaching, and research. Our part-time faculty members are highly respected practitioners in the region. For over 23 years, many of our graduates have attained senior managerial and leadership positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. We have a flexible program that will permit you to design a program of study that will help you achieve your particular career goals.

Yes, classes are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends to ensure students can maintain full-time employment.

It is graduate school, so it can be very demanding of your time. It may take time for you to get used to being back in school. But, if you're willing to work hard and manage your time effectively, you should be fine. After all, we have hundreds of graduates who were in the same situation as you, and they were successful.

Generally, for each hour of class time, you can expect two hours of study time per week. A full-time student takes three courses per semester.

The Professional Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) is designed to prepare leaders for a changing world. It combines interdisciplinary, policy-oriented, intercultural and global studies with career development. Through a cohort design, students focus on attaining both the general and specific skills employers demand for the global workforce of the 21st century. This 18-month program includes 12 months in residence, followed by a semester that can be taken either remotely or in residence (international students on a visa will be required to take the courses in residence). U.S. students may take the final two courses through online coursework to allow them to pursue an internship anywhere in the world. Graduates are prepared for local careers of an international nature, national careers, and global careers in areas such as International Business, Trade Policy, International Development & Relief, and Migration Advocacy.

Students must have access to a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone as well as an Internet connection.

• Completion of 33 units of approved graduate courses with a 3.0 GPA or better
• A graduate GPA of 3.0 or better in the program course requirements.
• Successfully complete the culminating activity with a passing grade.
• Satisfaction of all university graduation requirements.

Yes, there are six required core courses, three required courses on the students selected track, plus two online courses, and budgets.

No, we have no thesis requirement or comprehensive exams but there is a Capstone Project as part of the MAIA 698 course.

The language requirement is intended to ensure students have this additional tool for the workforce. It is not a unit requirement. The language requirement is commonly met through demonstrated work in a second language, completed language coursework, a certificate from an approved language school, examination, or a letter from a qualified language instructor. Consult with the Program Director for more information.

There is a two-part process. First, you must apply to the University, and second you must apply to the MAIA program.

All graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants must file a complete graduate application as described in the graduate and post-baccalaureate admission materials at Cal State Apply.

Complete and submit the Department application (PDF) along with a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation.

It can be a current or former professor and/or a current or former supervisor.

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

You would need to apply to the next MAIA cohort.

The process is the same for the Department but not for the University. First, you will need to contact the University's International Admissions Specialist in the Center for International Education.

You will need a 2.7 GPA in your undergraduate coursework from an accredited institution.

If you have at least a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units of undergraduate coursework, you may be admitted by the University but not the Department.

We look at a number of factors such as the strength of your undergraduate training, the type of courses you took, letters of recommendation, your statement of purpose, and your work history.

Prospective students who have clearly demonstrated substantial professional progress may be given extra consideration in the admission decision.

You have essentially two choices if you want to continue to try to be admitted. First, you may continue to work on your professional progress and reapply in a year or two. Second, you can take additional courses to increase your GPA.

They must be upper level undergraduate or graduate courses from an accredited institution. Further, you should take courses that are related to the study of international affairs. You are encouraged to contact the Program Director for more information.

No, but you may wish to take the quantitative, verbal, and analytical sections and submit the scores to the Department if you do not meet the GPA requirement.

If you have a graduate degree from an accredited graduate school, you automatically meet our GPA requirement but you must still complete the other University and Department requirements.

As noted above, the program requires 33 units. It will take 18 months to complete. Students take three courses per semester for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. In the final Fall semester students will undertake their internship while taking an online course in budgets and another to guide their capstone projects.

The University requires that students complete graduate programs within seven years.

Yes, unless you take an Educational or Medical Leave. Students who are not enrolled for one or more semesters without an Educational or Medical Leave must reapply to the University.

The College of Professional and International Education (CPIE) registers students in courses.

All MAIA students take three courses for the Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions, followed by two online courses in the final Fall semester.

There are no prerequisites for MAIA students.

MAIA students are grouped in cohorts. This means that all members of the cohort will take the same courses in the same sequence. During the summer, the cohort will divide into two tracks.

Electives in the MAIA program are pre-selected by CLA faculty.

Contact Professor Richard R. Marcus, MAIA Program Director, at Richard.Marcus@csulb.edu.

First, you must make sure that you have satisfied all the program requirements as stated above for the MAIA and University (see the University Catalog for details). Master’s students must have an approved advancement to candidacy on file. Second, at the same time that you submit your Advancement to Candidacy form, you should Apply to Graduate with Enrollment Services. DLMPA cohort members will advance to candidacy and apply to graduate together as a group.

Please refer to the Advancement to Candidacy form found on the Student Handbooks & Forms page. It is your MAIA program plan. MAIA staff will complete your advancement to candidacy form and the entire cohort will advance together typically during the summer of the first year in the program.

The form is provided by CLA staff.

The MAIA cohort will advance together in the Summer semester of the first year of the program.

CPIE, Department, and University websites contain most of the information you will need. Further questions can be directed to Professor Richard R. Marcus, MAIA Program Director, at Richard.Marcus@csulb.edu.