INPOL-MA - International Policy (MA)
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Program Overview
The Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy (MIP) is an interdisciplinary program devoted to rigorously analyzing international policy issues in diplomacy, governance, cyber and international security, and environmental policy. The two-year, full-time degree program awards the Master of Arts (MA) in International Policy.
Unique for small, collaborative classes led by top Stanford faculty and seasoned practitioners, MIP’s core curriculum emphasizes political science, economics, and international relations with quantitative methods and a case study approach. The curriculum includes a strong practical component, customization, and several subplans corresponding to expertise at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford (FSI).
In keeping with the university’s mission, MIP was established in 1982 to prepare the next generation of leaders for public and private sector careers in international policy-making and implementation. Its curriculum effectively draws upon FSI’s world-class faculty and interdisciplinary culture, breadth of teaching across theory and practice, multidisciplinary research capacity, and Stanford and Silicon Valley’s ethos of innovation. The program offers its master’s students a unique education to examine, understand, and solve complex real-world problems.
Graduate Degrees describes the university requirements for the MA degree.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
​​To earn the MA in International Policy, students must complete a minimum of 80 units. The degree requirements are as follows:
Core Curriculum (27 units)
All core courses are fundamental and must be completed during the first year, with the exception of INTLPOL 300S, which is required in the Winter Quarter of the second year.
Subplan (20 units)
Students must complete one subplan consisting of:
Two required courses, completed during the first year
At least three additional courses selected from the approved Subplan Elective Courses list
Customized Electives (24 units)
Students must complete 24 units of elective coursework selected to support and broaden their course of study. These courses must be broadly related to international policy and may include approved coursework across the University.
Capstone (9 units)
The fundamental capstone requirement consists of:
The Policy Change Studio, a two-quarter sequence taken in Winter and Spring of the second year
The associated Field Research course, taken in Spring Quarter of the second year
Students who matriculated prior to Autumn Quarter 2026 should refer to the Archived Bulletins for applicable degree requirements.
All core courses must be completed during the first year of the program (except INTLPOL 300S, which is required during winter quarter of the second year). The only exception to the other core courses is for coterm, dual, or joint degree students who have conflicts with requirements in their other degree programs. In this instance, prior approval from MIP is required to move a core course to the second year. Note the additional guidance on first-year core courses:
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course and course are a sequenced series in autumn and winter of the first year.
Students are required to enroll in course, course, and course for autumn quarter.
Students are required to enroll in course for winter quarter.
Students are required to enroll in course and course for spring quarter.
Students are required to enroll in course for winter quarter of the second year.
The Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy (MIP) offers four subplans:
Cyber Policy and Security (CYBER)
Energy, Natural Resources, and the Environment (ENRE)
Governance and Development (GOVDEV)
International Security (ISEC)
Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses that must be completed during the first year. In addition, students must complete at least three additional approved elective courses from the relevant Subplan Elective Course list.
Complete details for each subplan are provided in the individual subplan sections below.
Students must complete a minimum of 24 units of Customized Electives.
Customized Electives provide students the opportunity to engage with academic offerings across the University and tailor their course of study to their individual academic and professional interests. All courses applied toward this requirement must be broadly related to international policy.
Students may fulfill this requirement through a variety of pathways, including but not limited to: enrollment in additional subplan courses; completion of certificate programs (e.g., Computational Social Science Certificate); enrollment in language courses; completion of coursework in a second subplan (informally); or a combination of courses across disciplines that support the student’s academic objectives.
Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements, in accordance with University policy. In addition, activity courses, as well as performance and visual arts courses, do not satisfy MIP degree requirements.
Practical Training
Students may participate in an internship or other supervised practical experience that complements their degree program and subplan. With program approval, a maximum of 3 units of practical training may be applied toward the Customized Electives requirement.
During the academic year (Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters), students enroll in the designated Practical Training course (INTLPOL 298: Practical Training). A separate Practical Training course is offered during Summer Quarter (INTLPOL 298S: Practical Training). Both courses satisfy the academic enrollment requirement for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for eligible students in F-1 status.
Students requesting enrollment in a Practical Training course for CPT purposes must submit the MIP CPT Proposal by the second Friday of the academic quarter in which they intend to enroll.
Additional information regarding eligibility, enrollment procedures, and CPT requirements is available on the MIP website and in the MIP Student Handbook.
The Policy Change Studio serves as the capstone experience for the MIP program. In this fundamental course, student teams work under faculty supervision with external partners from industry, government, and the nonprofit sector to address complex policy challenges. The capstone is project-based and emphasizes the development of feasible, implementation-oriented solutions for real-world clients.
Course Enrollment Requirements
Students enroll in the Policy Change Studio over Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter of the second year, for a total of 8 units.
In addition, students enroll in the associated field research component course during Spring Quarter of the second year.
The MIP Capstone is a fundamental component of the degree program and exceptions are not permitted under any circumstances.
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Program Proposal
Students must submit a MIP Master's Degree Program Proposal during the Spring Quarter of their first year of study. As part of this requirement, students must schedule a 30-minute advising appointment with the MIP Academic Services Team to review their academic progress and develop a plan for completing the remaining degree requirements.
The University requires all graduate students to have an approved program proposal on file with their degree program. Students who do not complete this requirement will have an enrollment hold placed on their student account until the requirement has been satisfied.
Please see the Graduate Advising page for additional details.
Graduation Program Proposal
Students must submit a MIP Graduate Program Proposal in the quarter in which they intend to graduate, or no later than the second week of the intended graduation quarter. This proposal serves as formal confirmation of the student’s academic plan and degree completion status.
Failure to submit the required Graduation Program Proposal by the stated deadline will result in denial of the application to graduate.
Subplan Requirements
Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.
The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website.
Subplan Selection
Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.
Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess.
Subplan Course Planning
Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.
All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.
Subplan Course Petition Process
Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.
Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.
Course review criteria include:
Alignment with subplan learning objectives
Student-provided rationale for inclusion
Recency and consistency of course offerings
Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)
Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)
Teaching evaluations, when available
Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.
Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.
The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website.
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Subplan Requirements
Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.
The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website.
Subplan Selection
Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.
Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess.
Subplan Course Planning
Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.
All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.
Subplan Course Petition Process
Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.
Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.
Course review criteria include:
Alignment with subplan learning objectives
Student-provided rationale for inclusion
Recency and consistency of course offerings
Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)
Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)
Teaching evaluations, when available
Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.
Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.
The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website.
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Subplan Requirements
Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.
The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website.
Subplan Selection
Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.
Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess.
Subplan Course Planning
Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.
All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.
Subplan Course Petition Process
Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.
Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.
Course review criteria include:
Alignment with subplan learning objectives
Student-provided rationale for inclusion
Recency and consistency of course offerings
Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)
Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)
Teaching evaluations, when available
Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.
Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.
The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website.
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Subplan Requirements
Students must select one subplan and complete a minimum of five courses within that subplan, totaling at least 20 units. Each subplan includes two required courses, which must be completed during the first year of study. In addition, students must complete at least three approved subplan elective courses, selected from the subplan elective course list.
The list of approved subplan elective courses is available below and on the MIP website.
Subplan Selection
Upon matriculation, students will see their assigned subplan reflected in Axess based on the selection submitted at the time of admission. Students will be asked to confirm or update their subplan prior to matriculation in Autumn Quarter; this designation is used to assign faculty advisors.
Students may request to change their subplan through the end of the first academic year, subject to approval by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
Approved subplan changes must be processed through the Declaration or Change to a Field of Study for Graduate Students (Subplan Change) eForm in Axess.
Subplan Course Planning
Required subplan courses must be completed during the first year of study unless an exception is approved due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Approval to defer a required subplan course to the second year must be granted in advance by the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs.
No exemptions are permitted for required subplan courses. Coterminal students who have previously completed a required subplan course as part of their undergraduate program should consult with MIP regarding alternative course options to avoid duplication.
All required subplan courses must be taken for a letter grade. A limited number of subplan elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, subject to University and MIP program grading policies. Courses numbered below 100 may not be applied toward graduate degree requirements.
Subplan Course Petition Process
Twice per year, MIP accepts petitions to add courses to the list of approved subplan electives. This process allows students to propose courses for review by MIP leadership and faculty subject-matter leads for the relevant subplan.
Petition submission timelines will be announced in advance of each review cycle. Students must submit complete course information, including a syllabus and a written rationale for inclusion.
Course review criteria include:
Alignment with subplan learning objectives
Student-provided rationale for inclusion
Recency and consistency of course offerings
Graduate-level designation (generally courses numbered 200 and above)
Availability of a letter grade option (except in GSB, Law, and School of Medicine courses where applicable)
Teaching evaluations, when available
Skills-based or primarily experiential courses are typically classified as Customized Electives rather than subplan electives.
Approved courses will be added to the official subplan elective list. Students may apply a course retroactively toward subplan requirements if it is approved after the course has been completed.
The elective course list includes both currently offered and historically approved courses, maintained as part of the program record in accordance with University policy. A current list of active courses is available on the MIP website.
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Stanford MIP-Vienna School of International Studies Academic Exchange
The Stanford MIP–Vienna School of International Studies Academic Exchange is a one-quarter (Autumn Quarter) exchange program between the Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy (MIP) and the Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies (DA). Each year, two second-year students from each institution are selected through a competitive application process to participate in the exchange. Selected students receive fellowships to study at the partner institution, where they enroll as full-time students, participate in academic and extracurricular activities, and engage in the intellectual community of the host institution.
Academic Policies
Students participating in the exchange must complete all requirements of the MIP MA curriculum. The minimum number of Stanford units required for graduation is reduced to 65 units for students participating in the exchange.
In addition to the Stanford unit requirement, students must complete the equivalent of at least 15 units (typically four or more full-time courses) at the Vienna School of International Studies. These courses will apply towards the subplan electives or Customized Electives. As such, the two required subplan courses must be completed at Stanford.
MIP exchange participants must submit their proposed DA course selections to the MIP Academic Services Team for approval no later than the end of the first week of classes in the Autumn Trimester at the DA.
Students are strongly encouraged to carefully evaluate how coursework completed at the DA will apply toward MIP degree requirements and to consider the implications of spending one quarter away from Stanford.
Enrollment and Transcript Policy
While participating in the exchange, students remain active in their Stanford academic program; however, they are not considered enrolled at Stanford during the exchange quarter. Students receive an official transcript from the Vienna School of International Studies for the Autumn Trimester. The exchange is not reflected on the Stanford transcript.
Additional Information
Further details are available on the Stanford–Vienna Academic Exchange page of the MIP website.
Allocation of Credit for Dual Degree Programs involving the Master of Arts in International Policy
Dual Degree: GSB-MBA/INPOL-MA
The dual MBA/MA program is typically completed in approximately three academic years, depending on prior academic preparation and quantitative background.
Admissions decisions are made independently by each program. Units may not be double-counted toward both degrees; coursework must be applied to either the MBA or the MA degree requirements, but not both.
Students in the dual degree program must complete:
90 units for the MBA
54 units for the MA in International Policy, including the following requirements:
Core curriculum: 27 units
Subplan: 18 units
Capstone: 9 units
Students should consult both the MBA Program Office and the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs for additional guidance.
Dual Degree: ENVRES-MS/INPOL-MA
Students must complete all degree requirements for both programs, including 80 units for the MA in International Policy and 45 units for the MS in Environment and Resources. Completing the MS degree typically requires at least three additional quarters of study beyond the time required to complete the MA.
Joint Degree: LAW-JD/INPOL-MA
The joint JD requires 111 units, and the MA in International Policy requires 54 units. Students enrolled in the joint program must complete the following MIP requirements:
Core curriculum: 27 units
Subplan 18 units
Capstone 9 units
Students who begin their studies at Stanford Law School may, with MIP approval, complete the required statistics sequence through the Law School in place of the INTLPOL statistics sequence. However, this option is not recommended, as the Law School sequence typically includes a single statistics course, whereas the INTLPOL sequence consists of two courses that provide broader methodological preparation (including training in R) for the MIP capstone.
Students who elect this option may be at a disadvantage in capstone preparation. Prior approval from MIP is required. Any resulting unit adjustments will be applied to subplan requirements as appropriate.
In addition, Customized Electives are not required for joint JD students who matriculate first in the Law School. In some cases, Customized Electives may also be waived for students who matriculate first in MIP, subject to program approval.
Joint Degree: MPP/INPOL-MA
The MPP requires 90 units, and the MA in International Policy requires 80 units. In approved joint degree programs, up to 45 units (or one year of residency) may be applied toward both degrees. As a result, the total unit requirement for the joint degree may be reduced by up to 45 units compared to the combined requirements of the two individual degrees.
The MPP/MA joint degree program requires a three-year residency, reflecting this overlap in coursework and program requirements.
The Public Policy Program encourages the development of a strong intellectual, professional, and social cohort experience. For this reason, joint degree students are strongly encouraged to complete one academic year of full-time study dedicated exclusively to the Public Policy Program, rather than distributing Public Policy coursework across multiple years of study.
Coterminal Master's Degree Requirements
Coterminal students admitted to MIP must complete the following requirements to earn the MA in International Policy:
Core curriculum: 27 units
Subplan: 20 units, including:
Two required courses
At least three additional courses selected from the approved subplan elective list
Customized Electives: 14 units
Capstone: 9 units
The minimum total number of units required to complete the coterminal MA in International Policy is 70 units.