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Master of Arts in International Development Studies

“Our aim is to help form young men and women who are engaged, morally intelligent and committed to improving the human condition. Students in the IDS program are taught to think critically but creatively about development and are intensely engaged with today’s cutting edge developmental issues.”

THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL POVERTY

In recent decades, many countries have benefited from the process of globalization while others have not. Most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have lower per capita incomes than they did 30 years ago, and growth in Latin America has stagnated since 1980. More than one in five persons around the world lives on less than $ 1 a day. Of the 43 million people living with HIV/AIDS today, 39 million live in poor counties. The challenges to the health and well being of millions of people are the concerns that engage development professionals.

The Master of Arts in International Development Studies is intended for individuals who are committed to improving the lives of people in countries and regions afflicted with poverty and its associated hardships. The program provides a broad understanding and appreciation of current development theories and issues, as well as the processes involved in formulating policies and implementing development projects.

Students prepare for professional careers in the field of international development through interdisciplinary coursework that includes the study of economics, research methods, policy analysis and management. They learn to apply development policies and practices to their areas of interest. The work completed over the course of the program culminates in a capstone project, which provides students with a real-world consulting experience in the field.