Computer in SIPA Classroom

International Finance and Economic Policy

Combine the tools from economics, finance, and statistics to understand the relationships between the real economy, financial markets, and policymaking in developed and emerging economies.

The International Finance and Economic Policy (IFEP) concentration prepares students to work in changing public and private sectors, to help build new types of financial institutions.SIPA’s IFEP faculty includes many leading scholars and public intellectuals, internationally recognized as experts in crucial fields such as international trade, financial and monetary theory and policy, and development economics. Scholarly faculty are complemented by prominent practitioners actively engaged in opening emerging markets, creating new financial instruments, and forging global trade policy. Learn more »

Andre Bubula in the classroom

Who It’s For / Career Paths

The IFEP concentration prepares graduates to build new types of financial institutions and bring fresh thinking to regulatory policy in both the public and private sectors. Previous graduates have pursued a wide variety of careers, including in investment and commercial banks, hedge funds, private equity funds, research institutions, ratings agencies, consulting firms, corporations, and accounting firms. Others join central banks, ministries of finance or treasuries, government agencies responsible for domestic and international economic matters, or international organizations such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and the World Trade Organization.

Curriculum & Courses

IFEP provides a framework to examine and interpret observed economic and financial events in the global economy by combining the tools from economics, finance, and statistics. The concentration comprises three focus areas:

  • The International Finance focus area combines the analytical instruments of finance and applied financial modeling with a deep understanding of contemporary financial and capital markets in developed and emerging countries.
  • The International Economic Policy focus area applies the tools of international economics, political economy, and econometrics to understand the role of economic policies on the global economy.
  • The Central Banking focus area provides the building blocks for state-of-the-art central bank intervention by studying the goals, tools, and governance structure for conventional and unconventional monetary policy and financial regulation.

Concentration Requirements

Students in the IFEP concentration must fulfill the requirements of one of three focus areas: International FinanceInternational Economic Policy, or International Central Banking.

  • Students must complete 15 points comprising one required core course—International Finance & Monetary Theory (INAF U6018)—and four required courses that vary by focus area.
  • Concentration courses cannot be audited or taken pass/fail.
  • Students must satisfy their SIPA economics requirement with the advanced economics sequence SIPA U6400 and SIPA U6401, and must earn a B-minus or better in both courses.

Visit the SIPA Bulletin for more information.

To discuss waivers or substitutions for any requirements, please contact Ariel Yelen, the concentration coordinator.

Concentration Newsletters

Fall and Spring 2022 | Spring and Summer 2020 | Fall 2019 | Spring 2019 | Fall 2018 | Spring 2017 | Fall 2016

Related Degree Programs

21 Months

The Master of International Affairs (MIA), which includes selected STEM-designated pathways, is underpinned by SIPA’s unrivaled expertise on issues that transcend national boundaries and prepares students to address major international issues as experts and leaders in governments and organizations around the world.

21 Months

The Master of Public Administration (MPA), which includes selected STEM-designated pathways, emphasizes a comparative approach to domestic policy and prepares students to address major national policy issues and manage organizations in the US and other countries around the world.

SIPA Building Exterior

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Richard Robb
Concentration Director
Professor of Professional Practice in International Affairs
Room 1311 IAB
[email protected]

Andrea Bubula
Concentration Executive Director
Lecturer in Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Room 1312 IAB
[email protected]

Ariel Yelen
Concentration Manager
Room 1323A IAB
[email protected]