School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
International Political Economy (BA, BS)
The International Political Economy program is an interdisciplinary academic program to help students function successfully in today's increasingly complex international environment. Graduates will develop skill sets that include critical thinking, knowledge of multiple cultures, and effective communication skills. Students will be prepared for entry-level analytical and administrative positions in the public, nonprofit, and for profit private sectors. The School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences offers both the BA and BS degree in International Political Economy. The BA degree places a somewhat greater emphasis on culture, literature, and history. The BS degree places a somewhat greater emphasis on economics and international finance.
Employment options include, but are not limited to:
- Careers in the diplomatic corps;
- Positions with international organizations including The United Nations, World Trade Organization, World Bank, and others;
- Positions with multinational corporations as analysts and managers.
Bachelor of Arts in International Political Economy
Degree Requirements (120 hours)
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 hours1
Communication (6 hours)
3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
3 hours Communication Elective (PSCI 3325 or PSCI 4360 or PSCI 4307)2
Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
6 semester credit hours Government (GOVT 2301 and GOVT 2302)
6 hours American History (HIST 1301 and HIST 1302)
3 hours Economics Elective (ECON 2301)2
Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)3
3 hours Mathematics (at or above College Algebra MATH 1314)
4 hours Quantitative Reasoning (EPPS 3405)2, 4
Science (9 hours including at least one course with a substantial laboratory component)
II. Major Requirements: 22 hours
Major Preparatory Courses (1 hour beyond Core Curriculum)
EPPS 3405 Introduction to Social Statistics with Lab2, 4
Major Core Courses (Select 7 courses from the following)
ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics
GEOG 3370 Global Economy
GEOG 2303 People and Place: An Introduction to World Geographic Regions
GEOG 3304 Tools for Spatial Analysis
PSCI 4329 Global Politics
PSCI 4356 International Political Economy
ISSS 3349 World Resources and Development
LIT 3304 Advanced Composition
III. Elective Requirements: 36 hours
International Political Economy (15 hours)
All students are required to take at least fifteen hours of electives from approved courses.
Area Electives (9 hours)
This requirement may be satisfied with upper-division courses from any given area within IPEC and related fields of study. Students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Foreign Language Requirement (12 hours)
Four consecutive semesters (spring and fall semesters) in one language of choice or if the language credit is obtained without requiring to take classes, 12 hours of Free Electives (upper-division or lower-division) can be taken by student.
IV. Free Electives Requirements: 20 hours
This requirement may be satisfied with lower- and upper-division courses from any field of study. Students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Bachelor of Science in International Political Economy
Degree Requirements (120 hours)
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 hours1
Communication (6 hours)
3 hours Communication (RHET 1302)
3 hours Communication Elective (ECON 4382 or PSCI 4360 or PSCI 4307)2
Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
6 semester credit hours Government (GOVT 2301 and GOVT 2302)
6 hours American History (HIST 1301 and HIST 1302)
3 hours Economics Elective (ECON 2301)2
Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
3 hours Fine Arts (ARTS 1301)
3 hours Humanities (HUMA 1301)
Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)3
3 hours Mathematics (MATH 1325)
4 hours Quantitative Reasoning (EPPS 3405)2, 4
Science (9 hours including at least one course with a substantial laboratory component)
II. Major Requirements: 28 hours
Major Preparatory Courses (1 hour beyond Core Curriculum)
EPPS 3405 Introduction to Social Statistics with Lab2, 4
Major Core Courses (select 9 courses from the following)
ECON 2302 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 3310 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
ECON 3311 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
ECON 4360 International Trade
GEOG 2303 People and Place: An Introduction to World Geographic Regions
GEOG 3304 Tools for Spatial Analysis
ISSS 3349 World Resources and Development
LIT 3304 Advanced Composition
PSCI 4329 Global Politics
PSCI 4356 International Political Economy
III. Elective Requirements: 33 hours
International Political Economy (15 hours)
All students are required to take at least fifteen hours of electives from approved courses.
Area Electives (6 hours)
This requirement may be satisfied with upper-division courses from any given area within IPEC and related fields of study. Students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Foreign Language Requirement (12 hours)
Four consecutive long semesters (spring and fall semesters) in one language of choice or if the language credit is obtained without requiring to take classes, 12 hours of Free Electives (upper-division or lower-division) can be taken by student.
IV. Free Elective Requirements: 17 hours
This requirement may be satisfied with lower- and upper-division courses from any field of study. Students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division courses to qualify for graduation.
Minor in International Political Economy (18 hours)
Please see your advisor for the latest requirements for this minor.
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from accredited institutions of higher education. The courses listed in parentheses are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. A Major requirement that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Hours are counted in Core Curriculum.
3. Students wishing to pursue Master's or PhD degrees in economics should consult their advisor about appropriate mathematics and quantitative methods courses.
4. Three hours are counted under Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning core, and one hour is counted under Major Preparatory Courses.