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The Economic and Political Development Concentration at SIPA prepares students for careers in international development through an interdisciplinary approach, giving them a better understanding of the global effects of economic, political, and social change in the developing world. Students develop focused competencies in specific fields such as development management, microfinance, small business and social enterprise development, corporate social responsibility, gender and development, public health, sustainable development, democratization and institution building, and post-conflict reconstruction.
Students gain essential skills in program management, project evaluation, problem solving,
information gathering, and managing stakeholder relations. Students also learn to write clear and powerful policy papers, and give persuasive and organized presentations. Through internships and applied workshops, students engage with a wide variety of actors in the world of development. Graduates go on to become administrators, managers, advisers, and analysts with nongovernmental organizations, multilateral institutions, consulting firms, development banks, and governments.
Curriculum |
In addition to the core classes in policy analysis, economics, management, and
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Professional Focus Requirement |
Students take two classes from one of the following substantive areas:
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Workshop
Through the Workshop in Development Practice, students engage in cutting-edge consulting projects for a variety of international and domestic clients to gain practical experience in economic and political development.
Past projects have included:
- Development and testing of a text-messaging system to improve surveillance of children’s nutrition levels in Malawi
- Feasibility study for an improved cookstove initiative in Haiti
- Development of a user-friendly monitoring system to better measure the impact of a
women’s property rights project in Uganda
- Strategic advice to a Brazilian NGO on engaging with corporate partners to improve conditions in Rio’s favelas
- Producing a video showcasing the development impact of entrepreneurs in Mexico
- Assessment of initial impacts of introducing solar lanterns in rural communities of Indonesia
Past Employers of Graduates |
The Economic and Political Development Concentration provides students with: |
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• in-depth understanding of international development issues in the context of globalization • strong quantitative and qualitative critical thinking, writing, and management skills • key skills in areas such as policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis • multicultural interaction, teamwork, and collaboration within an international context • critical insights into the politics and strategies involved in the increasingly complex arena of development policymaking • managerial skills and tools needed for effectiveness in development |