MA International Development Studies at George Washington University

Programme overview

Steps from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the Elliott School engages the Washington and global policy communities in meaningful discussions of development policy. The international development studies (IDS) graduate program trains the next generation of development practitioners, exposing them to the latest research, best practices from the field, and experiential learning opportunities. The MA in international development studies provides a broad understanding and appreciation of current development theories and issues, as well as the processes involved in formulating policies and implementing development projects.

Faculty: Elliott School of International Affairs | Department: Graduate Programs, Elliott School of International Affairs | Duration: 12 credits | Location: Washington, DC, United States

What you will study

See notes regarding special topics and professional skills courses, the capstone, and the optional thesis*. The following two courses (6 credits) taken in this sequence: 12 credits in analytical courses. Course areas and options are listed below. 18 credits in courses in an area of specialization. Potential areas of specialization and associated courses are below.

Career pathways

Students prepare for professional careers in the field of international development through interdisciplinary coursework that includes the study of economics, research methods, policy analysis, and management.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Fall: January 7th - Fellowship & Application Deadline Spring: October 1st - Fellowship & Application Deadline Applications for admission will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis after the fellowship deadlines have passed, but students will not be considered for fellowships. GRE and GMAT scores are not accepted and will not be considered in the review process. Please do not submit scores. Two (2) letters are required. Applicants should submit one (1) academic letter from a professor and one (1) professional reference. Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credi

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Offers of admission are valid for the semester stated in the admission letter; most graduate programmes use rolling admissions, and some review applications collectively after the deadline.

Graduate applications are submitted through the Graduate Application Center with a non-refundable $80 application fee; deadlines vary by programme and school. Processing usually takes four to six weeks.

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