Curriculum: International Policy and Development

Learning Goals

The International Policy and Development curriculum is based on distinct learning goals that provide students with an in-depth knowledge of policy processes and systems in a variety of contexts. Review the IPD learning goals.

Requirements

Core Course Work (12 credits)

Language Studies and/or Intercultural Competence (4 credits)

Practicum (6 credits)

Electives (20 credits)

Core Course Work (12 credits)

Economics (3 credits)

Research Methods and Qualitative Data Analysis (3 credits)

Development/Policy (3 credits)

Quantitative Data Analysis (3 credits)

Language Studies and Intercultural Competence (4 credits)

You will take content courses in a second language and/or courses in intercultural competence.

Sample language studies courses:

• Arab-African Relations (in Arabic)

• Citizenship, Security, and Development in Latin America (in Spanish)

• Challenges in Peacebuilding—Congo (in French)

Sample intercultural competence courses:

• Intercultural Group Dynamics: explore why global and multicultural teams often struggle and conversely how you can manage diverse teams to outperform homogenous groups.

• Communication in Multicultural Settings: gain the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation in multilingual and multicultural communication as you examine the related social, cultural, and linguistic factors.

You may use electives to take additional language studies and/or intercultural competence courses.

Practicum (6 credits)

Put theory into practice through a semester-long, hands-on course or practicum in the field:

International Professional Service Semester

An immersive learning experience, the International Professional Service Semester integrates academic work with professional opportunities. Students serve as staff members in their chosen local or international organization while producing specific deliverables for academic credit with faculty mentorship.

Independent Practicum

The independent practicum is self-directed and requires independent academic planning and responsibilities. You can choose to complete an internship or field-based research. Both require you to engage a faculty sponsor, develop a work plan with that sponsor, submit the specified deliverables to be evaluated at the conclusion of the project, and present the deliverables in a final colloquium.

Electives (20 credits)

You may use electives to take additional language studies and/or intercultural competence courses, career-related module courses, specialization courses, and/or courses from other degree programs (assuming prerequisites met).

Sample Course Schedule