Graduate School of Public and International Affairs—Master of International Development (MID)

The 48-credit MID degree offers two majors in development planning and environmental sustainability, and nongovernmental organizations and civil society. Each of these majors can be combined with opportunities to study and intern in the nation’s capital in the Washington Semester program; earn another professional degree, with the MID, through GSPIA’s joint programs with the Graduate School of Public Health and the Schools of Social Work, Business, and Information Science; or acquire an areas studies certificate in Asian studies, Latin American studies, Russian and East European studies, or global studies, through the University Center for International Studies.

MID course work develops core skills in public policy analysis, builds critical understanding of development institutions and issues, and cultivates specific professional skills in development.

Requirements for the Master of International Development

The MID program requires a minimum of 48 credits, distributed as follows:

School-Wide Requirements (See Master’s Degree Requirements)	12 cr.
MID Core Courses (select three courses)	9 cr.
PIA 2501 Development Policy and Management
PIA 2510 Development Economics
PIA 2004 Microeconomics or
PIA 2005 Macroeconomics
Major Courses	15 cr.
Electives	12 cr.
Minimum Required Credits	48 cr.

MID students are required to select a major from among the two listed below. These two majors are also offered as minors for the MPA and MPIA degree programs. Both majors emphasize conceptual clarity; applied skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership; and specialized management, planning, and analytic methods. Each consists of four courses, plus a seminar on a geographical region. Concentrated 1.5-credit skill courses may also be combined to meet some of the course requirements for the major.

NGOs and Civil Society (NGOCS)

The NGOCS major emphasizes contemporary debates, trends, and practices relating to NGO’s roles in development and social change. Students choose among 25 courses approved for the major, plus related courses in fields such as sociology, social work, and public health. Courses emphasize management strategies, the politics of NGOs and civil society, and the unique contributions and limitations of civil society. Among the 25 courses approved for the major are:

Development Planning and Environmental Sustainability (DPES)

The development planning major emphasizes three themes: national development planning, project planning, and environmental policy and planning. Students gain a solid grounding in economics, planning, and program management. Students choose from the following courses that introduce clear, flexible strategies for dealing with aid donors, investment, and trade:

Development skills courses are concentrated 1.5-credit courses that train students in specific development-related skills. Recent offerings include: Training of Trainers, Focus Groups in Community Development, Logic Framework Planning in Development, and Budgeting and Accounting.