Home > Academics > Concentrations > IFP
International Finance And Policy (IFP)
The International Finance and Policy (IFP) concentration prepares students for careers that require knowledge of international finance, banking and public policy in the financial sector. Currently, 60-70 students per year graduate from the IFP concentration. Most students find jobs in the United States and abroad in government agencies and companies, including rating agencies, investment banks, commercial banks, central banks, hedge funds and consulting firms. About fifteen students return to the central banks or finance ministries of the countries that sent them to SIPA. The students are a highly motivated, ambitious and diverse group of young professionals. Their career objectives require not only language skills but also knowledge of international relations and economics.
Students who concentrate in IFP are required to take a standardized and rigorous set of courses. These courses ensure that every graduate has a solid foundation in financial theory as well as up-to-date practical skills that are valued in the marketplace. IFP students study finance, accounting, political economy, economics, comparative corporate finance, international banking, and emerging markets finance, all from an international perspective. By the time they graduate, students understand how regulatory policy, political economy, and financial systems interrelate. This is a key distinction between the SIPA IFP degree and an MBA degree.
Two types of students choose to concentrate in IFP: first those who have already worked in the financial sector and are looking for a rigorous policy-oriented education to boost their careers, and second those without experience in international finance who are looking to change directions. IFP typically meets the needs of the both groups. However, the success of job searches depends heavily on relevant professional experience prior to SIPA, top academic performance in the quantitatively demanding IFP curriculum, market conditions at the time of graduation, and an active job search.