The MA in Asia Pacific Studies/Master of Business Administration program is designed to provide a humanities-based, interdisciplinary degree that applies business expertise to the development of Asia and its impact on global economic systems. Awarded by the USF College of Arts and Sciences and the USF School of Management, the MAPS/MBA program provides a cost and time savings of up to 16 units.
• Separate admission to each school is required.
• Students may begin either program first or begin the programs concurrently.
• Indicate in your "Statement of Purpose" that you are applying to both of these programs for the dual degree.
You can request more information on our website.
• Asia Pacific Studies Core and Elective Courses — 20 credits
8 degree units are waived
• MBA Core courses — 34 credits
• MBA Elective courses — 14 credits
8 units of MBA electives are waived
MBA and MAPS courses are offered during the evening on a year-round basis. MBA courses are also offered during the day and in the summer. This schedule allows you the flexibility to pursue the concurrent degree while working or studying full-time.
MAPS/ MBA students complete the MBA program in either a Full-Time MBA cohort or Part-Time MBA cohort. Eight MAPS units are applied to the MBA elective curriculum.
The MAPS/ MBA can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Students opting for the full time format can complete the program in as little as three years. If students opt to take the program on a part-time basis, then the duration will be extended.
Understanding the vital role of professional development, our program holds an annual Career and Networking Forum for students, alumni, and others in the USF community to engage with various organizations seeking interns and employees. At the most recent event, over 35 organizations — including businesses, non-profits, and recruiters with a connection to the Asia Pacific — attended and approximately 200 people participated. Representatives from The Asia Foundation, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), Give2Asia, Pasona, and many others have enjoyed dynamic, productive interactions with students at the Forum.
The Mentor Program is a voluntary, non-credit option offered to students at any time during their two years of study. It presents students with a broad spectrum of possibilities as to how they might apply their degree to their chosen career field and connects students with professionals in their field of interest. The Mentor Program is coordinated by members of the Center for Asia Pacific Studies Executive Advisory Board.
The Professional Development Program (PDP) offers students opportunities to broaden their familiarity with potential career paths and to meet with successful professionals.
The PDP relies heavily on the expertise and voluntary services of working professionals. The majority of these professionals are members of the Center for Asia Pacific Studies Executive Advisory Board. The Board's Professional Development Committee advises the Center for Asia Pacific Studies on the administration and direction of the PDP.
Periodically students in the program are invited to the Executive Networking Evening held on campus in collaboration with the Center for Asia Pacific Studies. Students have the opportunity to meet many of the Center for Asia Pacific Studies' Board members and other professionals in a range of fields.
MAPS students may request training and advice on pursuing a job in an international field, including resume design, mock interviews, and other job training skills.
USF’s Master’s in International Studies is a three-semester program, which provides students with in-depth, interdisciplinary knowledge of the issues and challenges that face the global community. Our curriculum focuses on development and the environment, political and economic aspects of globalization, human rights, peace and conflict resolution, and international law and organizations.
Our students arrive on campus from all over the world, representing different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. That diversity makes our classrooms rich and dynamic, with perspectives and experiences that cross generations and borders. Our students graduate with the skills needed for a variety of areas, including international and governmental affairs, advocacy work, policy and project development, foreign service, international non-governmental organizations, international development and further graduate study.
You can find more information on our website
Our internship program provides an opportunity for students to gain practical professional work experience by working at one of the many international studies-related organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world. Our students have completed internships across five continents.
San Francisco is a vibrant, intellectual, global environment, and our campus is uniquely situated in the middle of it all. MAIS students take advantage of our location through internships, volunteering, and attending talks and activities at the World Affairs Council, the Commonwealth Club, and nearby academic institutions.
Our professors are not only scholars, they've also held leadership positions in governmental and non-governmental agencies. They’re activists in fields such as development, regional conflicts, refugees, law, human rights, environmental protection, and indigenous rights.
