UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of International Affairs (SIA) has launched a new master’s degree program to address a market need for professionals with expertise in both the international relations and economics fields. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Global Economic and Business Relations program aims to produce graduates who combine analytical skills and issue expertise to navigate complex global problems.
“SIA's new M.S. program brings together the school's faculty strengths in quantitative methods and international affairs to deliver a degree that is extremely timely,” said Mitchell Smith, SIA director and professor of international affairs. “Students who complete the M.S. program will be powerfully equipped for careers across sectors: public, private, NGO. Our graduates will be in demand.”
The program was developed and launched under the leadership of Smith and Danielle M. Conway, dean of Penn State Dickinson Law and the School of International Affairs. The school is now accepting applications for fall 2026. The final deadline to apply and be considered for merit scholarships is March 31.
“We are addressing the growing need for experts who understand how global markets, policies and data interact,” said Mare Sarr, associate professor of international affairs and African studies. “The program provides unique training, equipping students with advanced quantitative methods and knowledge of the international system to help them solve real problems faced by multilateral institutions, corporations and non-governmental organizations.”
The M.S. in Global Economic and Business Relations is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a STEM-designated degree program. As such, international students who graduate from the program may qualify for up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States after graduation.
Students in the program will have the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the global system while also acquiring applied quantitative methods skills. In addition to quantitative methods courses, students will take courses focused on international actors, legal frameworks, cultures, diplomacy and international relations theory, and the international system, which will enable students to approach analytical problems from a broad global perspective.
Smith and other SIA faculty said that this distinguishes the M.S. program from others that develop quantitative analysis skills but lack a strong foundation in global institutions and dynamics.
“This new program is critical because international business and politics have never been more intertwined,” said Christian Elliott, assistant professor of international affairs and assistant professor of sustainability and political science. “Students in our program will learn the skills to navigate a new world of increased complexity defined by geoeconomic competition, fragmented supply chains, and novel macroeconomic pressures.”
Potential career outcomes for graduates of the M.S. program include analysts in fields such as economic development and environmental policy, with relevance to multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, think tanks and non-governmental organizations. Graduates will also obtain in-demand skills that can be applied in a variety of professional settings.
“It is more important than ever that students acquire skill sets that are easily transferrable,” said Johannes Fedderke, professor of international affairs and African studies. “I am excited for us to introduce a program focused on international questions that places at its heart rigorous training designed to maximize flexibility and transferability in application.”
The Penn State School of International Affairs
The Penn State School of International Affairs provides an innovative education for the next generation of global leaders. Its graduate degree programs offer the best of both worlds: smaller class sizes and hands-on training, while also providing access to all the resources of a world-class research institution. SIA is a globally engaged community and home to expert faculty who focus on practical, experiential learning to help students advance their careers in the fields of policy, diplomacy, security, development, economics, business and more. Our graduates shape policies, drive innovation, and foster understanding across cultures. Learn more at sia.psu.edu.