A concentration in International Development will provide you with a policy-focused understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing those who work to promote advancement in developing countries. You'll focus on such topics as economic programming and planning, political development, conflict and post-conflict recovery, sustainable development, international organizations, and the role of NGOs.
By exploring these and other topics, you will gain the knowledge and the analytical skills needed to effectively design, implement, and evaluate international development programs. In short, you'll learn—in very real and practical ways—how to change the world.
22
MPA students focused on International Development (Fall 2018)
1:5
Faculty:Student ratio
86%
All O’Neill MPA placement rate
You'll begin by mastering the fundamentals reflected in our MPA program's core competencies. These five courses (15 credit hours) will give you well-developed analytical skills and a broad understanding of policy issues and government processes. You'll then build on this foundation with three other required courses specific to international development.
The following is an example of courses. Please work with your advisor as you make your schedule.
The remainder of your course work (9 credit hours) will come from a wide range of elective courses. These will allow you to tailor your International Development program to your own specific interests. At least one of these electives must come from the list of methods courses. These are sample lists. To see all options, go to course descriptions, below.
Methods electives
Other electives
Combining your International Development concentration with another MPA concentration—such as Economic Development or Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management—can offer you unique advantages in pursuing a particular career. As they help you design your program, our faculty will work to accommodate your specialized professional interests.
Our MPA program offers far more than traditional lectures and lessons. You'll also get the benefit of experiential learning—typically through an approved internship. What's more, your concentrations course work will culminate in a project-oriented course—a capstone—that lets you apply the knowledge you gained throughout the program.
Current and past placements and internships:
You can join the O’Neill International Public Affairs Association, one of many professional student organizations that offer networking and current information on events in the industry.
Get involved in other organizations
“A remarkable academic experience!”
“Studying International Development expanded my horizons and gave me the tools to be an international public servant.”
“The experiential learning requirement allowed me to apply classroom themes into real life international development contexts.”
