International Development Policy

The Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) is a unique, flexible interdisciplinary degree program that trains mid-career professionals who plan to dedicate their careers to policy-making and public service in and for developing countries.

The mission of the master’s program in international development policy is to provide top-quality, personalized education targeted to students’ international development policy goals and interests. The program equips graduates to make contributions to social, political and economic development efforts worldwide.

Participants self-design their course of study, selecting from MIDP core seminars, elective courses from MIDP and departments across Duke University, and courses at other nearby universities. The MIDP program offers two optionalspecializations in International Taxation (ITP) and Public Financial Management (PFM) as well as six optionalconcentrations to help you focus your studies:

• Applied Economics
• Development Management and Governance
• Environmental Management and Policy
• Law and Development
• Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Social Policy

As an MIDP fellow, you will enjoy personalized career advising and professional development services. The Duke Center for International Development at the Sanford School is dedicated to supporting fellows as they refine their professional skills, connect with colleagues and organizations that will enhance their professional network, and apply their creativity and passion to the most pressing needs of their country or region.

Should you attend the program, you will become part of a network of MIDP alumni in more than 65 countries, working with international development agencies, in the private sector, or as government and NGO leaders to advance the field of sustainable international development.

The MIDP program is set apart by its interdisciplinary, flexible curriculum, which allows fellows to self-design their course of study. All fellows are required to take the following core courses and can select additional courses from the MIDP program, the Sanford School of Public Policy, other professional schools and departments across Duke, and nearby universities. To help with the design of their curriculum, fellows have the option of selecting one of six areas of concentration. They are then paired with an academic advisor who assists with course selection each semester.

Core Courses

• Policy Analysis for Development examines the role of policy analysis in solving important international development problems and hones the analytical and communication skills needed to undertake effective policy analysis.
• Economic Foundations for Development provides an overview of microeconomic and macroeconomic principles related to development. The objective is to provide analytical tools for the study of economic policies and problems in developing countries.
• Applied Development Economics uses macroeconomic and microeconomic principles to analyze development challenges and issues. Emphasis is on how to use a range of techniques to analyze different development problems.
• Empirical Analysis for Development provides an introduction to basic concepts of quantitative and empirical analysis and enables participants to read and assess the quality of the empirical data and results that are used in reports. Basic applied tools are taught using statistical software.
• Economic Growth and Development examines the basic principles and policy issues in the study of economic growth and development. It considers the roles of various sectors in explaining patterns and causes of variations in countries' growth and development performance.

• A strong academic background that demonstrates the capability to successfully undertake graduate studies. Duke University requires the completion of a four-year undergraduate degree to be eligible to apply.
• A professional background of at least five years which shows an increase in responsibilities over time. Development-related experience is preferred. 
• Essays which demonstrate a commitment to working in development and a deep awareness of development issues. 
• Strong letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references, which speak in detail about the applicant's potential and skills.
• For all applicants, strong written and oral English skills are absolutely essential to succeed in the MIDP program. 
• A minimum of 90 must be scored on the TOEFL internet-based test.
• A minimum overall band score of seven (7.0) must be scored on the IELTS.
• A minimum of 64 must be scored on the PTE.

In addition to taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exam, Duke University requires all accepted applicants whose native language is not English to take both oral and written English assessments upon arrival at Duke. Based on the results of these assessments, fellows may be required to take one or two English language courses. English language course credits do not count toward the 30 credit requirement for the MIDP degree. They must be taken in addition to the regular course-load as part of the Duke University graduation requirements.

Scholarships

• International Volunteer Fellowship​