There is a lot of opportunity at the Ford School to really learn how to listen to opposing views, create space for disagreement, and make sense of viewpoints to develop an effective approach. I had no idea how much I would use this on the job."
Trevis Harrold (MPP '17), Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
Courses & concentrations
The Ford School offers two international policy degree concentrations for Master of Public Policy (MPP) students interested in international policy/affairs: one in international policy and the other in international economic development. Dean Yang, an expert in the economics of developing countries, is the faculty lead for the international economic development concentration. John Ciorciari, who focuses on international law and politics in the Global South, leads the international policy concentration. Courses covering national security, peacebuilding, international human rights, international trade and finance, and diplomacy and statecraft are just some of the many international policy courses taught at the Ford School.
Concentration lead
John D. Ciorciari
Professor of Public Policy, Associate Dean for Research and Policy Engagement, Director of Weiser Diplomacy Center and International Policy Center
John Ciorciari leads the international policy concentration and teaches several courses for undergraduate and graduate students: Politics of Public Policy; Peacebuilding: Law, Diplomacy & the Transition from Conflict; and Values & Ethics in Public Policy, among others.
Latest research
“As someone who was younger than most of my peers, and never lived outside of Michigan, having access to the diplomat in residence (at U-M) provided me with the confidence to move forward with a career in the foreign service.”
Kristen Grauer (MPP ‘01)
Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
Concentration lead
Dean Yang
Professor of Public Policy and Economics; Research Professor, Populations Studies Center
Dean Yang leads the international economic development concentration. His research is on the economic problems of developing countries, and his specific areas of interest include: international migration, microfinance, health, corruption, political economy, and the economics of disasters. Dean teaches a Ford School course on the economics of developing countries, as well as a PhD course in development economics.
Latest research