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Studies & Degrees in International Development Studies

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Are you interested in pursuing a career in which your education and training will allow you to help people and communities throughout the developing world?  If so, the International Development Studies degree program, which is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level, might be just the right program for you. International Development Studies offers students an interdisciplinary education that focuses on the critical issues, problems and achievements common to the developing regions of the world, giving students the knowledge and training to make a real difference in these areas.  To help you become more familiar with the program, below we have outlined just a few facts regarding the curriculum associated with the International Development Studies degree, along with some common topics of concern for students studying in this major.

International Development Studies:  About the Program

The curriculum to which students will be exposed while pursuing a Bachelor or Master’s of Science degree in the International Development Studies program emphasizes both global and regional scale perspectives, as well as a variety of themes for students to pursue, including those of a political, cultural, aesthetic and private sector nature.  The degree is designed for students with a strong interest in vocations and occupations in which a clear understanding of the various development experiences of the modern world is required.

The coursework (and other educational experiences) in the International Development Studies (IDS) program includes a combination of applied, field case-study learning along with theoretical and conceptual knowledge.  Both of these learning modalities, which are inseparable for these types of studies, will not only benefit students by allowing them to better grasp the curriculum, but will allow them to form a framework in which to approach problems and issues in the future, while working for government agencies, private industry and non-governmental and non-profit organizations.  Most importantly, the IDS program aims to assist students in developing strong critical thinking skills—skills that are essential for attaining knowledge regarding the complex and diverse world community.

The interdisciplinary approach in the IDS program enables students to address critical global issues from a variety of academic perspectives.  These perspectives, which may include those based on anthropology, economics, public health, women’s studies, geography, history, political science and sociology, expose students to the immediate and long-range concerns of the developing countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Some of the most common topics of concern in the International Development Studies program include:
  • The consequences of rapid urbanization
  • Development theory and aid institutions
  • The history of international economical expansion
  • Conflict resolution
  • War and political violence
  • Population resource issues and problems
  • The transfer of resources
  • Human migration and refugee relief
  • Health and Illness issues and health services
  • Political stability and Democratization
  • Cultural identity and cultural protection
  • Gender disparities in education, health and employment
  • Survival of indigenous societies
  • And more…
Although not required, students in this major are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester studying abroad in a developing country and pursue an internship in a local, national or international community development organization