Government and International Affairs

The analysis of government and international affairs during the 21st century clearly constitutes a complex and interdisciplinary set of challenges. To be effective, such study requires knowledge from all of the social sciences and humanities. This program in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) draws insights from these areas of learning into the multidimensional study of governance processes in all levels of society and international affairs. The faculty and students in the Government and International Affairs (GIA) program work jointly to cultivate their experience, knowledge, and skill with regard to the governance practices, political institutions, social dynamics, cultural values, workplace conditions, spatial formations, historical trends, and ethical conflicts that intersect in the workings of government, business, and not-for-profit organizations. Therefore, methodological pluralism is the foundation of GIA's scholarly pursuits. This program approaches the challenges of governance and international affairs comparatively, empirically, and historically at each level of activity and analysis to see how the processes of globalization are being shaped and what their implications may be. We also consider carefully the requirements for more democratic governance of the economy and society. The faculty's key educational objectives are to conduct research, perform service, and train graduate students at both the master and doctoral levels of study in a manner that can engage the GIA program as well as the larger School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech in the public life of our nation and the world. Through this work, the GIA program contributes to the development of new knowledge, enhances global well-being, and prepares all its graduates with the latest skills for conducting their research, service, and teaching.

The Government and International Affairs Program offers two graduate degrees: a  Master's in Public and International Affairs (MPIA), and a Ph.D. in the Governance & Globalization (G&G) Stream of the Planning, Governance & Globalization Ph.D. program (PG&G), which is a wide program in which most of the departments, programs, and schools in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies now participate. The goal of these two GIA graduate programs is to prepare SPIA graduates for a life-long, rich, and full engagement in public activity, continuing professional development, and effective service as academics, government officials, journalists or technical experts in the vitally important fields of government and international affairs. The overall unifying focus of the School of Public and International Affairs is directed at issues in politics, policy, planning, and practice. GIA students will work closely with faculty and students in the school's two sister programs Public Administration and Public Policy as well as Urban Affairs and Planning and those departments in the other collegiate units at Virginia Tech that can assist them with their education.

What You'll Need

Transcripts

Include a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

Letters of Recommendation

Check to see whether your department requires letters of recommendation from references. If so, you can include the letter writers' email addresses in your online application, or have the people you ask to write those lettes send paper copies directly to your program’s department.

Graduate School Testing Requirements

The Graduate School does not require entrance tests, but check to see whether your department requires you to submit GRE, GMAT, or subject test scores with your application. If so, have the testing agency send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859. 

International students may be required to submit TOEFL scores. 

Application Fees

Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application, though check to see if you qualify for a waiver or reduced fee. All application fees are non-refundable.

Refund procedure

All application fees are non-refundable.