The Specialization in
International Development Studies

The course of studies for the specialization in International Development Studies is open to all IPED students accepted into the program, but has two tracks depending upon your prior training in economics. This specialization is designed to prepare individuals for work with development agencies as project managers in both the non-profit sector and in the government sector.  The specialization has three important components.  All students are required to take Economic Development Policy and Political Economy of Development.  These two courses should give you an advanced interdisciplinary overview of some of the most important issues we face in development.  Those who lack practical programming skills are strongly advised to take Project Accounting, Project Management and Project Proposal Development.  And finally we offer a number of of electives design to give you added depth in the various areas where most non-profit groups conduct their programming, namely rural development (agriculture), health (HIV/AIDS), education, small business development (micro-finance), emergencies, peace building (conflict resolution), and population (migration).  It is recommended that students cover several of these areas wtih their choice of electives.

Foreign Language and Overseas Experience
Most development organizations require professional proficiency in a foreign language as well as overseas experience. Students in this specialization should use their summer after their first year of study to intern overseas in a developing country with an appropriate non-profit or government agency.  Please be aware of IPED's Language Immersion Study Awards, Summer Internship Stipends, and International Peace and Development Travel Scholarships.

Entry Level Positions
Traditionally students seeking an entry level position in this field have used Catholic Relief Services' International Development Fellows Program as their starting point after graduation. In addition to the MA, successful candidates must have professional proficiency in either Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish and overseas work experience. (Domestic community development work can occasionally substitute for overseas work experience.)  US students who lack language proficiency as well as work experience in a developing country should strongly consider the US Peace Corps.
 

FIRST YEAR

FALL SEMESTER

Provides a rigorous introduction at the graduate level to economics, political science, sociology, and statistics.Courses in project accounting, project management, and project proposal writing are also gvien during this semester.

None or Limited Background in Economics

  1. Economic Analysis
  2. Comparative Political Analysis or Analysis of Int'l Politics
  3. Applied Econometrics
  4. Development Elective

At least Intermediate Undergraduate Background in Economics

  1. Economic Development Policy
  2. Political Economy of Development
  3. Applied Econometrics
  4. Development Elective

SPRING SEMESTER

Studies global economic relations from both an economics and a political science perspective and allows the student to begin taking two electives in the development studies specialization. 
  1. International Economic Policy
  2. Politics of Global Economic Relations
  3. Development Elective
  4. Development Elective

SUMMER

Allows a student to gain practical experience through an internship, hopefully overseas, with a development organization; or, if needed, pursue an overseas language immersion program.
  1. Internship and/or up to two Development Electives

SECOND YEAR

FALL SEMESTER

Studies development issues from both an economics and a political science perspective. Electives or internships not done over the summer must be done during this semester.

None or Limited Background in Economics

  1. Economic Development Policy
  2. Political Economy of Development
  3. Internship and up to two Development Electives if not done during the summer
  4. Prepare for and take the Comprehensive Examination

At least Intermediate Undergraduate Background in Economics

  1. Development Elective
  2. Development Elective
  3. Internship and up to two Development Electives if not done during the summer
  4. Prepare for and take Comprehensive Examination
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