SPPD International Initiatives
"Ultimately, we want to 'bring global home' in a way that makes a global perspective a normal perspective."
— Dr. Eric Heikkila, Professor and Director of International Initiatives
SPPD students visit a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In this era of globalization, the arena of professional practice is an international one. Today's and tomorrow's leaders must be adept at addressing issues that arise both locally and globally.
The School of Policy, Planning, and Development recognizes the importance of training the next generation of professionals to be competitive in this globalized context. SPPD offers:
- Cross-disciplinary initiatives that bring together students from the five core SPPD programs to research and solve issues of relevance in international settings
- Long-term, pre-existing relationships with government, business, and community leaders across the globe
- More than 60 years of innovative international partnerships and projects
- Global learning opportunities in Los Angeles, the gateway to the Pacific Rim as well as a microcosm of the world at-large
Explore how SPPD faculty and students shape the future of our global community:
- International Labs for SPPD Students
- SPPD International Specialization
- Degree-specific International Opportunities for SPPD Students
- SPPD International Research and Projects
- SPPD International Collaborations
For more information on SPPD's international initiatives, please e-mail sppdii@usc.edu
International Public Policy and Management (IPPAM)
SPPD's executive master's degree in International Public Policy and Management (IPPAM) is designed for international students and U.S. students working in international settings. The program draws students from throughout Asia and around the world to study the comparative and global aspects of public policy and management. For more information on IPPAM, please e-mail ippam@usc.edu.
» Learn more about the IPPAM program's offerings
International Labs for SPPD Students
"Students from all SPPD degree programs participate in our international labs, giving them a global as well as a multidisciplinary experience. Both of which are requisites in today’s world."
— Jack H. Knott, C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Dean and Professor
A unique strength of SPPD is its emphasis on multidisciplinary problem-solving. This approach becomes even more critical when facing the complexities of international issues. SPPD's International Labs provide the essential clinical link between academic education and professional practice in a foreign setting. Students work in multidisciplinary teams, applying their respective capabilities and knowledge to a common problem — often through translating and tailoring their skills to meet the unique social, cultural and economic needs of the location.
Each summer, SPPD offers one or more international laboratories. Recent labs have been in China, Brazil and the United Kingdom.
» Explore the innovative opportunities for learning that SPPD provides with its International Labs.
SPPD International Specialization
Similar to the International Labs, the International Specialization is open to all SPPD graduate students, regardless of their specific discipline. Through this specialization, students can enhance their professional training with additional theoretical preparation and interdisciplinary field experience within a globalized framework.
Students earn the SPPD International Specialization designation as a supplement to their master’s degree program. The specialization consists of 12 units, of which at least 4 units are earned through participation in an International Lab (core class) and the remaining eight units from approved electives. The combination of core classes and electives produce a well-rounded and rigorous preparation for professional practice in our globalized era.
» Learn more about the SPPD International Specialization.
Degree-specific International Opportunities for SPPD Students
Several of SPPD's master's degree programs – MPL, MPP and MRED – offer students international internships, projects, courses and practicum within their chosen field of study. These offerings challenge students to broaden their academic training and skills to understand the social, governmental, economic and ecological challenges affecting different regions of the world. Additionally, SPPD undergraduates can participate in university-wide international study programs.
» Explore degree-specific international opportunities for undergraduate, MPL, MPP and MRED students.
SPPD International Research and Projects
Academic research is a hallmark of SPPD. Comprised of internationally recognized scholars, SPPD faculty conduct research that reaches across boundaries and borders to better communities and improve the quality of life for people around the world.
Research projects are often multidisciplinary. Faculty work collaboratively with international experts, scholars and leaders to understand the changes impacting our world. Together, they solve real-world problems in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The results of these projects have been shared through scholarly publications, books, research reports, and academic and professional forums.
SPPD Centers also conduct a variety of international research projects that span a diversity of topics.
» Learn more about SPPD's international research and projects.
SPPD International Collaborations
SPPD has formalized a number of its long-term relationships with institutions across the globe by entering into Memoranda of Understanding with them. The memoranda cover collaborations with SPPD’s international student labs, as well as other scholarly exchanges and pursuits.