International Development Program

Master of International Development (MID)

GSPIA’s Master in International Development (MID)-one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country-is dedicated to achieving social, economic, and political progress in countries worldwide, through means that fundamentally promote human dignity, well-being, empowerment, and rights. Distinguished by a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach, our degree program combines cutting-edge knowledge and an essential balance of theory and practice.

We offer a flexible curriculum including six major concentration options and numerous minor concentrations, valuable capstone and internship experiences, and joint degree and regional certificate options. Students gain essential development skills and insights, with emphasis on application to vulnerable and discriminated groups and to critical world problems such as impoverishment, climate change, ill health and disease, gender inequality, racial and ethnic discrimination, education gaps, migration, and urbanization.

Our program enables students to follow their passions and to develop effective and collaborative responses to critical issues and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Graduates go on to pursue valuable careers and participate in meaningful processes of social change in diverse local contexts and at global levels.

Degree Requirements

All MID students are required to complete the GSPIA core & MID Degree Core courses along with the required Concentration courses and Electives.

Degree Core required courses (12 credits):

PIA 2022 Quantitative Methods

PIA 2025 Microeconomics

PIA 2028 Public Policy Analysis

PIA 2096 Capstone Seminar OR PIA 2099 Thesis

All students must complete an approved internship of at least 300 hours while enrolled at GSPIA. The internship must be approved by teh student’s career advisors in advance. Students with at least three years of relevant full-time work experience may peitition their career advisor for a waiver of this requirement during their first semester.

MID Degree Core required courses (6 credits):

PIA 2501 Development Policy & Administration

PIA 2510 Economics of Development

MID Concentrations (12 credits):

Applicants will seelct from one of the following concentrations. Please click on this link for concentration details, International Development, MID

Energy & Environment

Governance & International Public Management

Human Security

Nongovernmental Organizations & Civil Society

Social Policy

Urban Affairs & Planning

Free Electives/Minor Courses (18 credits)

Total MID degree credits = 48

Minor

MID students may also pursue a minor. Please click on the following link: GSPIA Minors

Joint Degree Options

MID students are eligible to pursue one of several joint degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, including a joint MID/law degree (JD), MID/Master of Public Health (MPH), MID/Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS), MID/Master of Social Work (MSW) and MID/Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Master of International Development/JD

Master of International Development/MPH

Master of International Development/MIS

Master of International Development/MSW

Master of International Development/MBA