2026-2027 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog
International Development Program
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Master of International Development (MID)
SPIA’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 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
Degree Core required courses (15 credits):
The MID degree required 36 credits of course work. The 36 credits include a total of 15 MID Degree Core credits.
Students must take the following:
- PIA 2501 Development Policy & Practice
- PIA 2533 Social Innovation for Global Development
- PIA 2510 Economics of Development OR PIA 2448 Political Economy of Development
- PIA 2003 Qualitative Research Design & Methods OR PIA 2117 Program Evaluation OR PIA 2022 Quantitative Methods
- PIA 2096 Capstone Seminar (3 credits) OR PIA 2099 Thesis (6 credits)
All students must complete an approved internship of at least 300 hours while enrolled at SPIA. 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 Concentrations Core(12 credits):
Applicants will select and complete 12 credits from one of the following concentrations. Please click on this link for concentration details, Master of International Development, MID
Energy & Environment
Governance & International Public Management
Human Security
Nongovernmental Organizations & Civil Society
Social Policy
Urban Affairs & Planning
Free Electives/Minor Courses (9 credits)
Total MID degree credits = 36
Minor
MID students may also pursue a minor. Please click on the following link: SPIA 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
Programs
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