Master’s Program
Full-time study prepares students for exciting career opportunities in the space policy field. Part-time graduate study is also possible, and many of those who enroll in the Institute’s courses already are working professionally in the space field. Their exposure to space policy issues provides a broader context for their current work as well as expands their future career choices.
Many students pursue a Master of Arts degree in International Science and Technology Policy with a focus on space policy, under the auspices of GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
If you are interested in applying to the program, please see the main Elliott School website detailing the application process.
Application information can be found HERE.
Space policy also serves as a course and dissertation focus for several Ph.D. candidates in public policy, political science, and history Additional information found HERE.
(See: Doctoral Work in Space Policy).
Students affiliated with the Space Policy Institute have the continuing opportunity to participate in the myriad space policy-related activities which take place in Washington. Students have served as research assistants on Institute projects or as interns at The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Office of Management and Budget, NASA’s Offices of External Relations, Space Flight Operations Mission Directorate, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, and Science Mission Directorate, the Washington Office of the German Space Agency DLR, the Science and Technology Policy Institute of the RAND Corporation, Futron, DFI International, Satellite Industry Association, and other space-oriented organizations in Washington.
Master of Arts in International Science and Technology Policy Program of Study (40 credits)
Core Courses (10 credits)
IAFF 6141 International Science and Technology Policy Cornerstone
IAFF 6158 Science and Technology Policy Analysis*
IAFF 6159 ISTP Capstone Project – 4 credits; a 2-semester course split between Fall (1 credit) and Spring (3 credits)
*Offered in the Fall only
Electives (9 credits)
Courses for the elective field may be offered through a different Elliott School program, a department in another college within the university, or a combination of the two. Up to three credits may be taken as Professional Skills courses (IAFF 6502-6503). Examples of representative fields include:
•Environmental Policy
•International Business
•International Development
•International Economics
•International Finance
•International Health Policy
•Intellectual Property Protection
•Science Ethics
•Security Policy
•Space Policy
•Technology Management
•Regional Fields of Study
Concentration Field (15 credits)
The concentration consists of a minimum of 15 credit hours and is selected to complement the background and interests of the individual student. It may be in a field offered in another Elliott School program, a department in another college, or a combination of the two. Students may also design their own concentration with approval by the Program Director. Additional information can be found on the Elliott School page or in the GW Bulletin. Some typical Space Policy concentration courses are listed here:
IAFF 6145 US Space Policy
IAFF 6158 Issues in Space Policy
IAFF 6148 Space and National Security
IAFF 6153 Science, Technology, and National Security
IAFF 6146 Space Law
Analytical Competency (6 credits)
The analytical competency helps prepare students for the design and execution of professional policy analyses. A minimum of six credit hours is required, drawn from one or more courses from the themes below. Other courses may be deemed appropriate with the Director’s approval. You can find specific course listings for your chosen Analytical Competency on the Elliott School page or in the GW Bulletin.
Economics
ECON 6255 Economics of Technological Change and Innovation (*title changed from Economics of Technological Change)
ECON 6237 Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources
ECON 6280 Survey of International Economics
ECON 6250 Survey of Economic Development
ECON 6295 Energy Economics
ECON 6301 Applied Microeconomics Theory (prerequisite ECON 6300 Mathematical Methods for Economics)
ECON 6305 Applied Macroeconomics Theory
PPPA 6003 Economics for Public Decision Making
PPPA 6007 Economics for Policy Analysis I
Quantitative Analysis
IAFF 6501 Quantitative Analysis for International Affairs Practitioners
IAFF 6198 Advanced Quantitative Analysis
PPPA 6002 Research Methods and Applied Statistics
PPPA 6005 Public Budgeting, Revenue & Expenditure Analysis
PPPA 6015 Benefit-Cost Analysis
PPPA 6020 Decision Modeling for Public Policy
PPPA 6085 Quantitative Modeling for Public Policy Analysis
For more information on available courses in the ISTP program, the Elliott School, or other schools, please see the GW Bulletin.
