Contact International Development Studies
Director: Sean Roberts
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 994-2239
To earn your Master of Arts in International Development Studies you must successfully complete our 40 credit program which includes 10 credits of core courses, 12 credits of Analytical courses, and 18 credits in an Area of Specialization.
M.A. in International Development Studies Program of Study
IAFF 6121 Cornerstone (First Semester)
IAFF 6122 Development Policy and Practice (Second Semester)
IAFF 6137 Capstone Workshop (Third Semester)
IAFF 6139 Capstone (Fourth Semester)
Students must take one course in each of the four following areas to fulfill this requirement. All courses for this requirement must be completed by the end of the third semester to fully prepare students for the capstone project in their final semester. In addition to the courses listed under each requirement, other appropriate courses may count towards requirements with the approval of the Program Director.
List of approved courses: GW Bulletin
The IDS Capstone is the culminating experience of the IDS program, allowing students to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have gained in their program of study. The IDS program trains students in the theory and practice of development with an emphasis on ethics and cultural sensitivity. IDS capstone projects, which are pro-bono consultancies, have allowed students to make significant contributions to the work of dozens of leading development organizations, including government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and consulting firms.
Development Studies Pre-Capstone Workshop (1 Credit)
Second-year students complete the groundwork for the spring-semester capstone project: they contact potential client organizations and negotiate the terms-of-reference for their project.
IDS Capstone Course (3 Credits)
In cooperation with their client and under the supervision of their respective professor, student teams undertake the projects negotiated in the fall, visiting specific project sites over the spring break.
Technical Assistance to Increase Women’s Political Participation in Liberia
DAI
A Study on the Challenges, Opportunities and Role of the Danish Refugee Council in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus
Danish Refugee Council
A Survey Study to Strengthen Education and Economic Opportunity for Women in Cambodia and Myanmar
Plan International
An Analysis that explores the impacts of Participación Cívica on the relationship between civil society organizations and the Guatemalan
Counterpart International / USAID
An Analysis of Gendered Involvement in Participatory Natural Resource Management in Oromia, Ethiopia
Caritas Austria and Meki Catholic Secretariat
Outcomes Assessment of the USAID Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests Program in Chiang Mai Winrock
International / USAID
An Analysis of Market Systems Approaches to Agricultural Development in Uganda and Tanzania
BRAC
Assessing the Role of Social Capital in Agro-pastoral Resilience in the Sahel: A Systems Perspective
Mercy Corps
Strength in Numbers: Quality Indicators for Pact's Savings Group Programs
PACT
A Sustainability Assessment: Promoting Entrepreneurship in Mono-Producing Towns in Kazakhstan
PYXERA Global
As a program generally geared to practitioners, most IDS students do not complete a thesis. However, some students may choose to do so because it is expected of MA programs in their countries or it is expected of a discipline in which they may want to pursue a Doctorate. For this reason, the IDS program allows students to do a thesis project as part of their area of specialization. Writing a thesis requires the student to find an advisor among faculty in the University, and it counts towards 6 credits of your 18 credit area of specialization. Deciding to write a thesis does not absolve students from completing the Capstone project, which is required for the degree.
Students must fulfill 18 hours of coursework for a self-designed area of specialization, developed in coordination with their advisor when they meet to discuss their Plan of Study. You may find a list of illustrative courses for your chosen Area of Specialization in the GW Bulletin. The list below is illustrative, as an interdisciplinary program, IDS students are encouraged to design their own area of specialization with the support of an assigned program advisor.
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
EMSE 6305 Crisis & Emergency Management
EMSE 6315 Management of Risk and Vulnerability for Hazards and Terrorism
EMSE 6330 Management of Terrorism Preparedness Response
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development Studies
IAFF 6163 Transnational Security
IAFF 6171 Intro to Conflict Resolution
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
IAFF 6358 Security in the Americas
IAFF 6378 Special Topics in Middle East Studies
IAFF 6502-6503 Professional Skills (1 credit)
MGT 6215 Conflict Management and Negotiations
PSC 6349 International Security Politics
SMPA 6274 Media and War
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
ANTH 6301 Anthropology of Development
ANTH 6302 Issues in Development
ANTH 633 Research Methods in Development Anthropology
ANTH 6391 Anthropology and Contemporary Problems
ANTH 6505 Medical Anthropology
ANTH 6508 Ethics and Cultural Property
ANTH 6707 Issues in Middle East Anthropology
GEOG 6208 Land Use/Urban Transportation
GEOG 6224 Political Geography
GEOG 6232 Migration & Development
GEOG 6243 Urban Geography
GEOG 6244 Urban Sustainability
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development
IAFF 6338 Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies
IAFF 6358 Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies
IAFF 6364 Religion and Society in the Middle East
IAFF 6378 Special Topics in Middle East Studies
IAFF 6502 Professional Skills (1 credit)
PHIL 6290 Human Rights, Ethics & Public Policy
SOC 6245 Race Relations
SOC 6248 Race and Urban Redevelopment
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
GEOG 6224 Political Geography
HIST 6050 Modernization, Imperalism, Globalization
HIST 6601 Asia: History, Memory, and Violence
HIST 6801 War and Memory in the Middle East
IAFF 6102 Global Gender Policy
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development Studies
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
IAFF 6198 Special Topics in International Trade and Investment Policy
IAFF 6208 Communication in Modern Diplomacy
IAFF 6338 Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies
IAFF 6358 Democracy Under Siege in Latin America
IAFF 6378 Militaries and Politics in the Middle East
IAFF 6502 Professional Skills (1 credit)
PPPA 6048 Financing State and Local Government
PPPA 6085 Special Topics
PMGT 6401 Fundamentals in Political Management
PMGT 6410 Grassroots Engagement
PMGT 6422 State and Intergovernmental Politics
PMGT 6490 Assessing Political Risk
PSC 6336 Political Economy of Developing Areas
PSC 6346 US Foreign Policy-Making
PSC 6347 US Foreign Policy
PSC 6349 International Security Politics
PSC 6364 Comparative Governments and Politics of Central and Eastern Europe
PSC 6370 Politics of the China I
PSC 6371 Politics of China II
PSC 6372 Foreign Policy of China
PSC 6377 Comparative Politics of the Middle East
PSC 6379 Comparative Politics of Africa
PSC 6383 Comparative Politics of Latin America
PSC 6388 Special Topics in Comparative Politics
PSC 6439 International Political Economy
PSC 6465 International Politics of Central & Eastern Europe
PSC 6478 International Relations of the Middle East
PSC 6484 International Relations of Latin America
PSC 8334 Comparative Democracy and Democratization
PSC 8341 Theories of Ethnic Politics
PSC 8388 Regimes
SMPA 6204 Strategic Political Communication
SMPA 6208 Politics and PR Fundamentals
SMPA 6270 Topics in Media & Public Affairs
SMPP 6290 Special Topics
WGSS 6240 Women and Public Policy
WGSS 6241 Women and the Law
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
ECON 6217 Survey of Economics
ECON 6219 Managerial Economics
ECON 6237 Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources
ECON 6250 Survey of Economic Development
ECON 6255 Economics of Technological Change
ECON 6280 Survey of International Economics
ECON 6283 Survey of International Trade Theory and Policy
ECON 6284 Survey of International Macroeconomics & Finance Theory & Policy
ECON 6295 Special Topics in Economics
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development Studies
IAFF 6198 Special Topics in International Trade and Investment Policy
IAFF 6358 Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies
IAFF 6378 Special Topics in Middle East Studies
IAFF 6502-6503 Professional Skills (1 credit)
SMPP 6290 Special Topics in Strategic Management
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
EDUC 6640 Special Topics in International Education
IAFF 6102 Global Gender Policy
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
IAFF 6503 Professional Skills (1 credit)
MGT 6290 Special Topics
WGSS 6220 Fundamentals-Feminist Theory
WGSS 6221 Research Issues-Womens Studies
WGSS 6230 Global Feminisms
WGSS 6238 Feminist Ethics/Pol Implications
WGSS 6240 Women and Public Policy
WGSS 6241 Women and the Law
WGSS 6268 Race, Gender and Class
WGSS 6270 Seminar: Selected Topics
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
Required Course:
PUBH 6400 Global Health Frameworks
Supporting Courses:
ANTH 6505 Medical Anthropology
EMSE 6325 Medical and Public Health Emergency Management
PUBH 6001 Biological Concepts of Public Health
PUBH 6002 Biostatistical Applications for Public Health
PUBH 6003 Principles and Practice of Epidemiology
PUBH 6004 Environmental and Occupational Health in a Sustainable World
PUBH 6006 Management & Policy Approaches in Public Health
PUBH 6007 Social & Behavior Approaches in Public Health
PUBH 6054 Community Engagement & Advocacy
PUBH 6099 Special Topics
PUBH 6121 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
PUBH 6122 Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Policies, Politics, and Programs
PUBH 6126 Assessment & Control of Environmental Hazards
PUBH 6130 Sustainable Energy & Environment
PUBH 6241 Nutritional Epidemiology
PUBH 6247 Design of Health Studies
PUBH 6249 Stat Packages for Data Management and Analysis
PUBH 6250 Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
PUBH 6252 Advanced Epidemiology Methods
PUBH 6253 Issues in HIV Care & Treatment
PUBH 6259 Epidemiology Surveillance Public Health
PUBH 6261 Epi-Bio Skills Building Seminar
PUBH 6262 Intro to GIS
PUBH 6263 Advanced GIS
PUBH 6264 Quantitative Methods
PUBH 6266 Biostatistical Methods
PUBH 6305 Fundamentals for Health Policy
PUBH 6310 Statistical Analysis in Health Policy
PUBH 6315 Intro-Health Policy Analysis
PUBH 6320 Advanced Health Pol Analysis
PUBH 6340 Health Economics and Finance
PUBH 6399 Topics in Health Policy (1, 2, or 3 credits)
PUBH 6410 Global Health Study Design
PUBH 6411 Global Health Qualitative Research Methods
PUBH 6412 Global Health Quantitative Research Methods
PUBH 6416 Ethical and Cultural Issues in Global Health Research and Programs
PUBH 6430 Theories for Global Health Communication Interventions
PUBH 6435 Global Health Program Development & Implementation
PUBH 6436 Global Health Program Management
PUBH 6441 International Health Organizations
PUBH 6442 Comparative Global Health Systems
PUBH 6480 Public Health in Complex Emergencies
PUBH 6481 Global Mental Health
PUBH 6487 Emerging Zoonotic Diseases & Global Food Production (1 Credit)
PUBH 6499 Special Topics (1, 2, or 3 credits)
PUBH 6500 Planning & Implementing Health Promotion Programs
PUBH 6501 Program Evaluation
PUBH 6502 Practical Data Analysis
PUBH 6503 Intro to Public Health Communication and Marketing
PUBH 6504 Social and Behavioral Science Research Methods
PUBH 6510 COPC Principles and Practice
PUBH 6512 Community-Oriented Primary Care Policy and Issues
PUBH 6513 Community Health Management
PUBH 6514 Preventing Health Disparities
PUBH 6516 Community Health Info Resources
PUBH 6530 Qualitative Methods for Health Promotion
PUBH 6532 Commnty Organization, Development and Advocacy
PUBH 6535 Promotion of Mental Health
PUBH 6550 Maternal & Child Health I
PUBH 6551 Maternal & Child Health II
PUBH 6552 Women's Health
PUBH 6553 Adolescent Health
PUBH 6571 Social Marketing: Theory & Practice
PUBH 6572 Marketing Research for Public Health
PUBH 6573 Media Advocacy for Public Health
PUBH 6599 Topics In PCH
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
ANTH 6707 Issues in Middle East Anthropology
EMSE 6305 Crisis & Emergency Management
EMSE 6310 Information Technology in Crisis & Emergency Management
EMSE 6315 Management of Risk and Vulnerability for Hazards and Terrorism
EMSE 6320 International Disaster Management
EMSE 6325 Med/Pub Health Emerg Management
EMSE 6330 Management of Terrorism Preparedness and Response
EMSE 6345 Disaster Recovery
EMSE 6350 Hazard Mitigation in Disaster Management
EMSE 6992 Special Topics
GEOG 6309 GIS for Emergency Management
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
IAFF 6502 Professional Skills (1 credit)
PUBH 6480 Public Health in Complex Emergencies
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
EMSE 6001 Management of Technical Organizations
EMSE 6200 Policy Factors in Environmental and Energy Management
EMSE 6220 Environmental Management
EMSE 6260 Energy Management
EMSE 6285 Analytical Tools for Energy Management
EMSE 6305 Crisis & Emergency Management
EMSE 6310 Information Technology in Crisis and Emergency Management
EMSE 6320 International Disaster Management
EMSE 6325 Medical Public Health Emergency Management
EMSE 6330 Management of Terrorism Preparedness and Response
EMSE 6350 Hazard Mitigation in Disaster Management
EMSE 6820 Program & Project Management
GEOG 6293 Special Topics
GEOG 6309 GIS for Emergency Management
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
IBUS 6402 Managing in Developing Countries
MGT 6292 Small Business Management
PPPA 6031 Governing and Managing Non-Profit Organizations
PPPA 6032 Managing Fund Raising & Philanthropy
PPPA 6057 International Development Administration
PPPA 6058 International Development NGO Management
PPPA 6059 International Development Management Processes and Tools
PPPA 6062 Community Development Policy and Management
PPPA 6016 Public and Non Profit Program Evaluation
PPPA 6077 Program Management
PUBH 6006 Management & Policy Approaches to Public Health
PUBH 6435 Global Health Program Development & Implementation
PUBH 6436 Global Health Program Management
PUBH 6513 Community Health Management
SMPP 6210 Strategic Environmental Management
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
EDUC 6100 Experimental Courses
EDUC 6112 Foundations of Assessment, Testing, and Measurement in Education
EDUC 6114 Intro to Quantitative Research
EDUC 6116 Intro to Educational Statistics
EDUC 6368 Power, Leadership & Education
EDUC 6371 Education Policy Making
EDUC 6381 Program Evaluation Theory and Practice
EDUC 6388 Analysis of Education Policy Issues
EDUC 6555 Higher Education Policy
EDUC 6602 Regional Studies in International Education
EDUC 6610 Policies and Programs in International Education
EDUC 6620 Strategies and Analysis in International Education (Topics vary)
EDUC 6640 Topics in International Education (Topics vary)
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
ANTH 6302 Issues in Development
ECON 6237 Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources
EMSE 6200 Policy Factors in Energy and Environment
EMSE 6220 Environmental Management
EMSE 6225 Air Quality Management
EMSE 6235 Water Quality Management
EMSE 6240 Environmental Hazard Management
EMSE 6245 Analytical Tools for Environmental Management
EMSE 6260 Energy Management
EMSE 6290 Climate Change: Policy and Impact
ENRP 6101 Environmental Sciences I
ENRP 6102 Environmental Sciences II
GEOG 6208 Land Use/Urban Transportation
GEOG 6244 Urban Sustainability
GEOG 6293 Special Topics
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development
IAFF 6151 Environmental Policy
IAFF 6158 Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
PPPA 6066 Environmental Policy
PUBH 6004 Environmental and Occupational Health in a Sustainable World
PUBH 6121 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
PUBH 6122 Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Policies, Politics, and Programs
PUBH 6124 Problem Solving in Environmental and Occupational Health
PUBH 6126 Assessment and Control of Environmental Hazards
PUBH 6130 Sustainable Energy and the Environment
PUBH 6133 Social Dimensions of Climate Change & Health
SMPP 6210 Strategic Environmental Management
TSTD 6249 Sustainable Destination Development
Courses offered the Arlington Graduate Education Center:
PSUS 6201 Principles of Sustainable Urban and Regional Planning
PSUS 6202 Urban and Environmental Economics
PSUS 6203 Research Methods I: Geospatial Econometric Analysis
PSUS 6212 Sustainable Communities I: Housing and Design
PSUS 6222 Climate Change Economics
PSUS 6224 Sustainable Energy for Cities and the Environment
Students must complete eighteen (18) credits:
ACCY 6101 Financial Accounting
ACCY 6106 Financial Statement Analysis
ACCY 6201/2 Managerial Accounting I/II
ACCY 6601 Business Law: Contracts, Torts and Property
ACCY 6602 Business Law: Enterprise Organization
ACCY 6900 Managerial Accounting: Government & Nonprofits
FINA 6223 Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management
FINA 6224 Financial Management
FINA 6234 New Venture Financing
FINA 6271 Financial Modeling and Econometrics
FINA 6277 Comparative Financial Regulation and Development
IAFF 6118 Special Topics in International Affairs
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development:
IAFF 6186 Special Topics in Security Policy Studies
IAFF 6198 Special Topics in International Trade and Investment Policy
IAFF 6502 Professional Skills (1 Credit)
IBUS 6201 International Marketing
IBUS 6290 Special Topics
● Inst/EconDevelpment: Case of Rwanda
● Microfinance: DevelopingMarkets
IBUS 6301 International Business Finance
IBUS 6310 International Financial Reporting Standards
IBUS 6401 International Business Strategy
IBUS 6402 Managing in Developing Countries
ISTM 6223 Technology Entrepreneurship
ISTM 6224 Management of Technology and Innovation
ISTM 6234 New Venture Financing
PPPA 6003 Economics for Public Decision Making
PPPA 6049 Urban and Regional Policy Analysis
Note: Many MBA Courses require instructor approval to enroll for students not enrolled in an MBA program.
MBAD 6211 Financial Accounting
MBAD 6241 Global Perspectives
MBAD 6242 Microeconomics for the Global Economy
MBAD 6244 International Management (1.5 credits)
MBAD 6245 Global Perspectives (1.5 credits)
MBAD 6284 Business and Public Policy
MGT 6252 Global Human Resources Management
MGT 6282 New Venture Initiation
MGT 6283 Strategic Entrepreneurship
MGT 6285 Social Entrepreneurship Management
MGT 6290 Special Topics
MGT 6292 Small Business Management
MKTG 6290 Global Brand Strategy
SMPP 6241 Global Corporate Responsibility
SMPP 6290 Special Topics in Strategic Management
SMPA 6250 Entrepreneurship New Media Industry
TSTD 6249 Sustainable Destination Development
ANTH 6806 Technology
ECON 6255 Economics of Technological Change
EMSE 6992 International Technology
GEOG 6304 Geographical Information Systems
GEOG 6307 Digital Image Processing and Analysis
GEOG 6309 GIS for Emergency Management
IAFF 6138 Special Topics in International Development Studies
IAFF 6412 Technology Creation and Diffusion
IAFF 6153 Science, Technology and National Security
IAFF 6158 SpecTopics/IntlSci&TechPolicy
IAFF 6358 Special Topics in Latin American Studies
IAFF 650-6503 Professional Skills (1 credit)
ISTM 6204 Information Tech Project Management
ISTM 6207 Info Resources Management
ISTM 6223 Technology Entrepreneurship
ISTM 6224 Management of Technology and Innovation
ISTM 6233 Emerging Technologies
EMSE 6070 Management of Research and Development
Contact International Development Studies
Director: Sean Roberts
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 994-2239
Elliott School of
International Affairs
1957 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
[email protected]
202-994-6240