About

ABOUT EMORY MDP

One of the most pressing challenges of our time is achieving sustainable development in the face of entrenched poverty and inequality, political insecurity and conflict, emerging health threats, and climate change. The Master's in Development Practice (MDP) at Emory University is designed to meet those challenges by combining practical learning experieces with rigorous studies in a broad range of academic disciplines. The Emory MDP is a program of the Laney Graduate School.

The key features that make the Emory MDP unique among similarly oriented programs are:

System-oriented approach to development policy and practice, grounded in theory and history and driven by critical thinking and social justice framing;
Minimum of 50 credit hours of coursework in 6 competencies: social sciences; health sciences; environmental sciences; research methods; social justice; and management;
Concentration areas on global health; sustainable environments; water, sanitation, and hygiene; corporate social responsibility; gender justice; monitoring and evaluation; program management;
Two summer field practicums (8-10 weeks each) in the Global South or the United States, with basic practicum expenses covered by the MDP program and/or host organization;
Academic-year internships with local and global nonprofits working on sustainable development, evironmental conservation, food systems, public health, human rights, disaster response, etc.;
Early graduation option, by using an academic year internship in place of summer field practicum during the second year, which enables students to graduate in May rather than August;
Career development support by experienced human resources and recruitment professionals, networking opportunities, and enhanced access to job search and career resources portals;
Limited cohort size enabling collaborative learning and personalized mentoring by Emory faculty, development professionals, and MDP alumni.