One of the most pressing challenges of our time is achieving sustainable development in the face of global poverty, political and ethnic conflict, a degrading natural resource base, and irreversible climate change. The Master's in Development Practice (MDP) program at Emory University is designed to meet that challenge by combining hands-on learning and field experience with rigorous training in a broad range of academic disciplines. 

In addition to the academic resources of a top-ranked research university, Emory's MDP program capitalizes on its partnership with established international development and research organizations. These partners' global reach and programmatic approaches expose students to the multiple ways development practitioners operate in the real world and to the different institutional contexts in which they will serve after completion of their degrees.

MDP At A Glance

2 summers (up to 20 weeks) of experience working as practitioners-in-training within leading humanitarian organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America

2-4 semester internships with Atlanta-based international NGOs working on development, global health, environmental conservation, human rights, disaster assistance, and education

1-2 semesters of engaged learning experience within grassroots organizations working with underserved communities and neighborhoods in the Atlanta area (optional)

1 Global Classroom course, an innovative interactive learning experience connecting MDP around the world with world-class development experts

12 core courses in the natural, social, health, and management sciences taught in top-ranked academic departments and professional schools

3-5 electives chosen from various concentration areas (e.g., global health and wellbeing; sustainable livelihoods and environments; rights, ethics, and governance; business, planning, and management)

4 to 6 workshops/modules on programmatic competencies (ex. monitoring and evaluation, GIS and spatial analysis; participatory tools; qualitative data analysis; organizational leadership, etc.)

Interaction with world class development experts and practitioners who frequently visit Emory University, CDC, CARE, The Carter Center, and other organizations and universities in the Atlanta area

Emphasis on critical thinking and systemic understanding of development processes and practice

Small class-size enabling collaborative learning and personalized mentoring by Emory faculty