【Article by International Master's Program of Applied Economics and Social Development】
The International Master's Program of Applied Economics and Social Development (IMES) at the College of Social Sciences, National Chengchi University (NCCU), has been approved by the Academic Affairs Meeting to offer double major and minor options for NCCU graduate students starting from the first semester of the 114th academic year (Fall 2025). IMES will become one of the first regular master’s programs at NCCU to introduce such opportunities, setting a new precedent for interdisciplinary learning at the graduate level.

IMES is a fully English-taught, interdisciplinary master’s program, and it is the only graduate program in the world that integrates applied economics and social development. Students in the program develop data analysis skills while engaging in topics related to social innovation, including sustainability, the sharing economy, digital innovation, fintech, artificial intelligence, and the semiconductor industry. With its interdisciplinary nature, IMES provides an ideal platform for graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to pursue a double major or minor and broaden their academic horizons.

Additionally, with two-thirds of its students coming from abroad, IMES fosters a highly international learning environment, making it an excellent choice for NCCU graduate students looking to enhance their global mobility and cross-cultural communication skills.

To further strengthen its international connections and diverse learning opportunities, IMES signed a dual-degree agreement earlier this year with the College of Business at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Through this collaboration, students may choose to study at UIC during their second year or after graduation to pursue a master’s degree in Finance, Business Analytics, or Management Information Systems. Moreover, IMES students will benefit from domestic tuition rates at UIC, significantly reducing the financial burden compared to regular international student tuition. In the future, IMES double major students will also be eligible for this pathway to earn an additional master's degree at UIC.

By continually expanding international partnerships and fostering an interdisciplinary academic environment, IMES is committed to providing students with a comprehensive and globally competitive learning experience. The application information for double major and minor is expected to be announced on the IMES website in early April. Graduate students interested in international education and interdisciplinary studies are encouraged to apply.

IMES Website: https://imes.nccu.edu.tw/