Specialized Global Professional Education Program

The Specialized Global Professional Education Program is a highly customized, intensive professional development program designed for individuals or groups who wish to take full advantage of MSU’s academic resources to advance their career, conduct supervised research, and expand their professional networks.

Compared with GPEP, SGPEP offers a more personalized service and deeper professional development opportunities. Depending on the design of each program, SGPEP participants may:

Take regular MSU academic courses or ELC (English Language Center) courses
Enjoy specialized seminars or short courses on specific topics
Engage in one-on-one instruction or research collaboration with MSU mentor
Participate in field trips to other U.S. cities or professional organizations
Complete internships relevant to their field.

Many SGPEP components are designed in collaboration with MSU Colleges and non-MSU partners to meet the participant’s unique goals and professional needs.

For questions about the Specialized Global Professional Education Program at VIPP, email vipp@msu.edu.

Application and Fees:

We strongly encourage you to submit your online application at least six months before your desired program start date. Learn more about the application process on our How to Apply page.

The application must include:

Your full CV
A brief research proposal
A complete list of all your publications (if any)
An invitation letter can only be issued after we receive your completed application.

Because SGPEP is highly customized, fees vary by program:

Public Policy and Government Leadership: $19,600 (12 months)
- Includes VIPP courses, supervised study and/or project, one ELC course, one MSU academic course, at least one field trip in Michigan, and a Chicago visit.
Public Policy and Government Leadership/Finance/Media: $25,000 (12 months)

Includes VIPP courses, supervised study and/or project, up to two MSU academic courses, up to two ELC courses, at least one field trip in Michigan, a Chicago visit, and a cultural field trip to the East Coast.

Please contact your program coordinator for details about available services.

For more information about fees and finances, including living costs, health insurance, and housing please visit: