The Master of Professional Studies in International Development program provides an interdisciplinary program of study for those who are experienced in international development and are seeking to upgrade or update their educational qualifications. A specialized concentration in some area of development policy, such as women in development, may serve as the student's concentration with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the student's advisor. The degree program requires at least thirty credits of course work and two residence units. Usually six credits are earned for an applied research project. About half of the work is in one of the four substantive specializations, and half is in one or more of the areas of analysis.
Candidates can expect to complete their degree requirements in eleven to eighteen months.
If more work in the substantive specialization is desired, the candidate is expected to complete the work during the summer or in an additional term. Applicants are expected to have a strong academic background and at least two years of development experience. Excellent professional performance is given a large weight in admission decisions. Applicants are advised to submit scores on the GRE general test. Students who have just completed an undergraduate program of study are not eligible to apply to this field.