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 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. 

See the Office of Graduate Admissions website to apply or for information on graduate admission. Applications for admission in autumn quarter must be filed with supporting credentials by 11:59 PST on January 8, 2026.

Applicants who intend to apply to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) program must submit two applications: 

• The KHS application deadline is 1 p.m. PDT on October 8, 2025

• The MIP application deadline is 11:59 p.m. PST on December 2, 2025

  • Note: This early MIP application deadline only applies to applicants to KHS

Prerequisite Coursework

The MIP program has a quantitatively rigorous core curriculum. It requires university-level, introductory coursework in microeconomics and macroeconomics taken either as part of a student’s undergraduate or graduate education at another accredited educational institution or through an approved online course. Understanding calculus and familiarity with introductory statistics may also be helpful in preparation for the Research Methods course sequence. For details on the content each prerequisite course should cover, see Frequently Asked Questions on the MIP website. All prerequisite courses must be completed before the start of classes in late September; however, they do not need to be completed at the time of application.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following materials as part of the web-based application:

• Statement of purpose on relevant personal and professional background, academic interests, and career aspirations (2 pages, single-spaced)

• Official Transcripts

  • Stanford considers unofficial transcripts to be sufficient for the review process. Transcripts should be submitted for any institution attended for one academic year or longer. Uploading a scan or copy of an official document is the preferred format of submission.

  • Admitted applicants who accept the offer of admission will be required to submit final official transcripts/degree conferral documents. See Graduate Admissions for details.

• Three letters of recommendation

  • Please submit recommendations from academic and professional contacts who can effectively speak to your academic skills and/or professional experience, as well as your preparedness for graduate study

• Academic writing sample (written in English, 7-15 pages in length, and double-spaced)

• Resume or curriculum vitae

• Effective for applicants entering in 2026: those who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, whose first language is English, who earned a degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) from an institution where all instruction was in English, or who have at least two consecutive years of professional or educational experience conducted in English within the past 10 years are not required to submit English proficiency test scores.

  • Applicants who do not meet any of these criteria must submit official scores from either the TOEFL or IELTS. The minimum TOEFL score is 100, with at least 25 in each section, and the minimum IELTS score is 7, though stronger scores are recommended to be competitive.

  • The ETS code for Stanford University is 4704

• GRE scores are not required, nor will they be considered.

Applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. International applicants should review the International Academic Credentials page to determine application eligibility.

Applicants should plan to review the Admissions section of the MIP website and the Frequently Asked Questions.

Joint, Dual, and Coterm Degrees

Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in International Policy (JD/MA)

Students may choose to pursue a joint JD/MA in International Policy. The joint degree program combines the strengths of the Law School and MIP.

Prospective students interested in this joint may apply concurrently to the Stanford Law School (SLS) and MIP. Two separate application forms are required, and applicants must submit the appropriate standardized test scores to each program. Review the SLS Joint and Cooperative Degree Programs and MIP websites for details.

Current SLS students may apply to the joint JD/MA no later than the end of the second year of Law School. Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on January 8, 2026. 

Details on how to apply are available on the MIP website. Note that the MIP program has one annual application deadline, and applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on January 8, 2026.

Current MIP students may apply to the SLS by the deadlines stated on the school’s website.

Academic Policies
The joint JD requires 111 units, and the MA in International Policy requires 54 units. Joint students must complete the MIP core curriculum (27 units), area of specialization (18 units), and capstone (9 units).

Master of Public Policy and Master of Arts in International Policy (MPP/MA)

Students may choose to pursue a joint MPP/MA in International Policy. This joint degree program allows students to gain a depth of knowledge in both international and domestic policy issues.

Admission to the joint degree program in Public Policy requires admission to and enrollment in MIP. It also requires approval from MIP. 

Applications for graduate study in Public Policy are only accepted from:

• Students currently enrolled in any Stanford graduate or undergraduate degree program

• External applicants seeking a joint degree, or

• Stanford alumni who have graduated within the past five years.

External applicants for joint degrees must apply to the MA in International Policy and indicate an interest in the joint MPP Applicants who are admitted to the MA program will then be evaluated for admission to the MPP. Prospective applicants to Stanford should contact the MIP Recruitment and Admissions Manager for any questions.

Current MIP students may apply during the first or second year of study and should consult the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs to express interest. 

To be considered for enrollment beginning in Autumn Quarter 2026-27, all application materials must be submitted by the mid-January deadline set by Public Policy. Full details are available on the Public Policy website.

See Joint Degree Programs for further information.

Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in International Policy (MBA/MA)

Students may choose to pursue a dual MBA/MA in International Policy. The dual degree is designed for students who want to work at the intersection of business and the state, both in the U.S. and abroad. 

Prospective students interested in this dual degree program may apply concurrently to the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) and MIP programs. Two separate applications are required and applicants must submit the appropriate standardized test scores to each program.  Admissions processes for both programs are completely independent, and units from courses can only be applied to one degree or the other, not both (per University policy for dual degrees). 

Current MBA students may generally apply to the dual MBA/MA no later than the end of the first year of Business School. However, MBA 2 students may discuss their options with the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Services. Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on January 8, 2026. 

Details on how to apply are available on the MIP website. Note that the MIP program has one annual application deadline and applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on January 8, 2026.

Current MIP students may apply to the GSB by the deadlines stated on the school’s website.

Academic Policies

Completing a dual MBA/MA requires approximately three academic years, depending on the student’s background and quantitative preparation.

Students enrolled in this dual degree program must complete 90 units for the MBA. At least 54 units must be completed for the MA in International Policy, although the number of units may be higher for some students (see “Note”).

For the minimum of 54 units required for the MA, MIP students will be expected to complete the Core Curriculum (27 units), Area of Specialization (18 units), and Capstone (9 units).

Note: Students admitted into the MBA program as current MIP students (i.e., the application to the GSB is submitted during a MIP student’s first year of study) will only be able to apply units towards the MBA once formally matriculated into this second degree program.

Contact the MBA Program Office and MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs for details.

Master of Science in Environment and Resources and Master of Arts in International Policy (MS/MA)

Students may choose to pursue a dual MS/MA in International Policy. The dual degree with the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources (E-IPER) allows MIP students to deepen their understanding of the science, technology, and engineering underlying current environmental problems.  This understanding, integrated with their professional education in International Policy, provides a unique lens for future leaders and innovators to influence and solve the world’s most challenging environmental and sustainability problems. 

The synergy of these two interdisciplinary degree programs provides students with substantive knowledge, experience, and depth of study in public policy and technical expertise in environment and related fields. While there is no reduction in units (per University policy for dual degrees), students are exposed to academic and research opportunities across campus including the Doerr School of Sustainability.  

Students interested in pursuing the dual degree must obtain approval from MIP and E-IPER to ensure their course of study meets the curricular expectations of both programs. As a first step, MIP students should plan to discuss their interests with the MIP Assistant Director for Academic and Student Affairs. They should also arrange to meet with the E-IPER Joint MS Student Services Officer.

Applications from first-year MIP students are due annually to E-IPER in winter quarter by the January deadline set by the (E-IPER) program. In exceptional cases, second-year MIP students may also apply to E-IPER. These students must demonstrate their interest in, and commitment to, the MS degree by completing or enrolling in a minimum of nine units of E-IPER-related coursework by the time of their application. This minimum requirement does not guarantee admission. 

For application information, see the Admissions page on the E-IPER website.

Academic Policies

For the dual degree, students must fulfill the degree requirements (80 units) for the MA in International Policy as well as complete the full set of degree requirements (45 units) for the MS in Environment and Resources. Completing the MS typically requires at least three quarters of study in addition to the time needed for the student’s MA degree. For additional information, see the E-IPER website.

Coterminal Master’s Program

Undergraduates at Stanford may apply for admission to the coterminal master’s program in International Policy when they have earned a minimum of 120 units toward graduation, including Advanced Placement and transfer credit, and no later than the quarter before the expected completion of their undergraduate degree. MIP has one application deadline per year in early January for matriculation in autumn quarter of the same calendar year.  

Students must submit the Coterminal Online Application, including all supporting materials, by 11:59 p.m. PST on January 8, 2026. 

In addition to the web-based application, coterminal applicants must submit the following supporting materials:

• Statement of purpose focusing on relevant personal, academic, and career plans and goals (1,000 words)

• Resume or curriculum vitae

• Stanford transcript

• Two letters of recommendation from university instructors

• Academic writing sample (7-15 pages; double-spaced; may be a portion of a longer paper)

For further information, see Coterminal Master’s Degrees.