Learn from a current student how GPS’s China-focused master’s program opens doors to academia, policy roles and beyond
The Master of Chinese Economic and Political Affairs, or MCEPA, is a one-of-a-kind degree offering from GPS. In the curriculum, students learn the historical and theoretical background of Chinese political science, as well as the cutting-edge quantitative skills they’ll need to analyze the country’s economic and demographic data.
To get a sense of what pursuing the MCEPA (which you’ll hear pronounced as em-SEEP-uh on campus) looks like, GPS News spoke with William Martindale, a second-year student in the program, to describe what led him to GPS, what his studies involve, how he’s involved in student groups and much more.
What brought you to GPS and the MCEPA program?
In undergrad, I double majored in Asian studies and statistics. My Asian studies degree was very focused on history and literature. I wanted to pivot toward political science, since that was what most of my undergraduate research was, so I was looking for degrees that would give me a good background in poli sci and public policy. The MCEPA program really stood out to me because of the quantitative focus and its tight focus on China. And the school offered me a good scholarship, as well as a graduate student research position with the school’s 21st Century China Center. So I thought, “They’re willing to invest a lot in me, and I like that.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
Usually I like to choose one thing to work on a day. I do as much as I can on one assignment after all my classes, then take a break. Maybe I’ll do another piece of homework or do some readings, but I try to focus on a single subject. I like to hang around GPS because I have lots of friends here. It helps to keep me focused, even though I’m chatting, and gives me a little bit of accountability.
What’s something at GPS that’s been a welcome surprise for you?
How supportive the community is. At my undergraduate institution, I did two majors, so it was really hard to form a community with other people. But the way that the MCEPA degree is organized is very conducive to community formation: You start with these very intense core courses, and everyone experiences that together. It’s an experience that you share with the next year’s cohort as well; I have a lot of connections both in the year above me and the year below me because we have things in common we can talk about. That forms the core of genuine friendships.
“The way that the MCEPA degree is organized is very conducive to community formation.”
Are you part of any student groups?
I am the president of the China Focus club, so in that role, I’ve been spreading the word about China-related events on campus and webinars. Additionally, we are putting together social events, like the Lunar New Year event in February. I’m also one of the vice presidents of the Data Science for Public Policy Club. Right now, we’re in the process of putting together a policy competition where students leverage data to produce a policy output. We’re also trying to put together events to support people through the Quantitative Methods courses and to help them build their data skills.
What are you hoping to do with your degree once you’re finished?
I’m very interested in pursuing a Ph.D. I’ve been a teaching assistant both here and in undergrad, so I’ve learned that I enjoy teaching, and I also enjoy doing research. A lot of students in our program end up pursuing Ph.D.s because the MCEPA offers a chance to really dig into a specific topic.
“The professors here are very good at teaching the current direction of research in the field. At GPS, you learn about a lot of different topics and try your hand at a lot of different things.”
How do you feel your work in the MCEPA has helped prepare you for a doctorate?
This program has prepared me to do a lot of the things that are expected of a Ph.D. student. There’s something that a lot of undergraduates these days, I feel, really underrate: You need to know facts. I’ve also gotten a chance to engage with foundational texts in political science. In addition, the professors here are very good at teaching the current direction of research in the field. At GPS, you learn about a lot of different topics and try your hand at a lot of different things, which has helped me figure out what specific topics I’m interested in.
What would you tell other people who are interested in pursuing an MCEPA?
The MCEPA is similar to the Master of International Affairs program, but it does have distinct advantages — for example, you get a lot more direct access to the 21st Century China Center people. Also, the capstone is very different: It’s more of a master’s thesis than a term project.
