Concentrations
- International Development and Health
As expressed in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, health is a basic human right that resides within the context of human and social development. Because it reflects wider social, economic, and political influences, health should be approached in an integrated manner. The concentration in International Development and Health explores global health problems that affect developing nations. It provides students with an understanding of the field of health and international development while considering the important contribution that a healthy population makes to its social and economic development process.
To Suggested Health Course List
- International Development and the Environment
Environmental problems and degradation pose a growing threat to the well being of people throughout the world. Workable solutions must focus on how humans and their social and economic interests interact with the resources of the natural environment. The concentration in International Development and the Environment is designed to provide students with an understanding of how people perceive and utilize the environment and how various processes involving the relationship between human beings and their surroundings either damage or protect the environment. This program challenges and prepares professionals to take action in response to environmental issues facing developing countries.
To Suggested Environment Course List
- International Development and Gender
Gender equality and empowerment of women is a third millennium development goal and a primary component of poverty reduction and improved social welfare and well-being. Research shows that gender inequality continues to be a major impediment to economic development while women's empowerment and access to resources are directly linked to community and family well-being with immense payoffs for all members of society. The gender concentration provides an opportunity to examine development issues through a gender lens from a variety of theoretical, regional, and disciplinary perspectives. There is also opportunity to work with the women's studies program and to gain a women's studies certificate. A mix of topics and approaches prepares students to understand gender and development and to develop professional skills to work in this field.
To Suggested Gender Course List
- International Development and Social Sciences
There are numerous economic, environmental, social, and political challenges facing developing countries today. International development becomes a vast multi-disciplinary area of concern and action and embraces a multitude of approaches. The International Development and Social Sciences concentration prepares students to study and analyze a broad scope of issues facing developing nations today within the conceptual framework of economics, political science, sociology anthropology, and geography. Particular attention is paid to courses and development approaches that are designed to serve and enhance the capability of communities to further their own development.
To Suggested Course Lists in the Social Sciences
Course of Study
Candidates for the Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) Program in International Development Studies must complete a sequence of required and elective core courses, as well as a series of courses in one of the four disciplinary concentrations.
Core courses and disciplinary concentration courses are to be combined so as to provide the most appropriate set of intellectual and professional reference points for the student's examination of the development process. One of the strengths of the IDS program's multidisciplinary approach is flexibility in program design, however, each program/course of study must be approved in advance by your program advisor (normally the Program Director).
Each candidate must complete a minimum of 70 credit hours of course work with an accumulated grade point average of 3.00 (out of 4.00) and submit a capstone project - either a M.A. thesis, a grant proposal, or comprehensive exams.
- Foundation Courses (15 Credit Hours)
The International Development Studies program core is structured around introductory courses and a progressive series of colloquia in Development. Studies concentrate on concepts, issues, and methods of development, and draw on the worldwide interests and experience of students and expert faculty.
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Development Core (15 Credit Hours)
Students choose a minimum of 15 Credit Hours of Development course work, from various departments in the University.
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Methods Core (10 Credit Hours)
Students must take a minimum of 10 Credit hours in related research methodology courses. These may be quantitative, qualitative, or other types of analytical courses taken at the discretion of the students' advisor. If students have not previously had basic statistics this is also required.
- Concentrations Electives (30 Credit Hours)
Students choose courses within their area of disciplinary concentration from a list of suggested courses. In addition, this list may be supplemented by new courses, special seminars, and other offerings that are not usually offered. (10 hours of language course work, 10 hours of thesis course work, 5 hours of internship work, and 5 independent study hours may be counted toward the MAIA degree as Development Electives.)
For information about completing an internship for course credit click here.
For Internship forms click here.
For additional program information, click here: Tracks of Study
