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College of Professional and Continuing Education
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Degree Program
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.
CSULB is ranked #1 in the Western U.S. for Best Value (Washington Monthly) as well as the top 10% of universities nationally for Return on Investment (Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce). The MAIA 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 with courses taken in residence or online. 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.
Please Note:
- Students enrolled in this program are eligible for some forms of financial aid, with the exception of the State University Grant (SUG) and Cal Vet College Fee Waiver.
- GI Bill benefits can be used for this program. Click here to learn more about eligibility, rates, and other details.
Schedule a meeting with MAIA Director, Professor Richard Marcus.
- 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
Application Period:
Fall 2025
Application Deadline:
June 1, 2025
(Early decision: February 15, 2025)
Application Deadline:
March 1, 2025 (International)
Cost:
$515 per unit / $1,545 per 3-unit course
Total Program Cost:
$16,995
View Info Sessions
Matt Reimers,
Program Manager
