Oct 08, 2024  
2024 2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024 2025 Academic Catalog

Global Development and Peace, M.A.

Location(s): Main Campus


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NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS

Carlson Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4966

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Global Development and Peace is designed for individuals who in­tend to pursue careers in international public service through intergovernmental organiza­tions, government agencies, and non-gov­ernmental organizations. Graduates of the Master of Arts in Global Development and Peace will also be prepared for the careers in the private sector, especially to work in banks, insurance companies, corporations, and management firms that have branch of­fices, holdings, partnerships, and/or clients in developing countries.

This graduate degree is designed to allow fu­ture civil servants and business professionals interested in global development and human security to develop an understanding of

  • Extant models of socioeconomic develop­ment
  • Prerequisites for good governance in de­veloping countries
  • The impact of religion and culture on in­tra- and interstate relations.

Students in the program will also develop competence in:

  • Quantitative and qualitative research and analysis.
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution.
  • Project management and related problem-solving skills

They are also expected to develop or dem­onstrate a Foreign Service Level 2 (limited working proficiency) of at least one world language beside English.

All courses are 3 credits.

Learning Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Global Development & Peace has the following learning outcomes:

Students will be able to explain and compare the major extant models for socioeconomic development.

Students will demonstrate that they have acquired the quantitative and qualitative re­search skills needed to undertake effective planning, analysis and implementation of projects related to socioeconomic develop­ment or conflict resolution.

Students will demonstrate an understand­ing of the institutional prerequisites for good governance in developing countries.

Students will demonstrate an appreciation of the impact that religion and culture can have on socioeconomic development

Students will demonstrate the basic skills needed for effective communication and ne­gotiation.

Students will demonstrate skills needed in problem solving and in project management through an overseas internship.

Students will demonstrate a working knowl­edge of a second language in addition to English.

Masters of Arts Core Requirements

The program is developed as a 36 credit grad­uate course of study that requires four semes­ters of study including a overseas internship. It requires the student to have completed some foundational coursework in political economy and have a working knowledge of at least one world language. Students may apply without the prerequisites, but they will need to demonstrate competency in these areas prior to completion of their degree. Un­dergraduate students in the College of Public and International Affairs who complete 12 semester hours of the program in addition to all the requirements for their undergraduate degree may receive a Graduate Certificate in Global Development & Peace provided they receive no grade lower than a B in the 12 graduate credits that they complete. These 12 semester hours must be in excess of the required 120 semester hours for graduation with the Bachelor’s degree.

The curriculum of the Master’s degree is de­signed so that students will develop compe­tency in the following areas:

  • Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods and Their Applications to Devel­opment.
  • International Political Economy and the Major Theories of Development.
  • An Appreciation of the Role played by Re­ligion and Culture in Development
  • Conflict Analysis and Resolution
  • Diplomacy and Negotiation

The degree offers four potential tracks and students should choose from one of the fol­lowing:

A: Conflict Analysis and Resolution Track

For those interested in conflict management

B: International Political Economy and Development Track

For those interested in development and its challenges

C: Global Management Track

For those interested in working in the com­mercial domain, especially in emerging and developing economies.

D: Global Media and Communication

For those interested in public diplomacy or in serving as a spokesperson.

Curriculum - 36 Credit(s)


Specialization Track A Conflict Analysis and Resolution


Specialization Track B International Political Economy and Development


Choose two plus one course in Track A, C, or D


Specialization Track C Global Media and Communication


Specialization Track D Global Management


Choose two:


Choose two plus one course in Track B, C, or D


  • FIN 500 - International Trade and Finance
  • FIN 630 - International Financial Management
  • FIN 743 - Technical Analysis & Trading
  • GLDP 561 - Sustainable Development
  • MGMT 779 - International Issues
  • MGMT 632 - Global Program and Project Management

English Language Requirement


For applicants whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 213 (computer)

or 550 (paper) on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required.

Exception to these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis in con­sultation with the Director of the University’s English Language Institute and following completion of an oral and written English exam that is administered by the English Language Institute. Students with demon­strated difficulty communicating in English may be required to take an advanced ELI course even if they have earned between 213/550 and 250/600 TOEFL scores.

Minimum Grade Point Average Requirement


Candidates for the Masters of Arts in Global Development & Peace are required to main­tain a minimum semester grade point average of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing. The Master of Arts in Global Development may only be conferred upon a student who has the minimum required average of a 3.0 at the conclusion of the student’s studies. To receive credit for the completion of one of the tracks, a minimum of a “B” must be re­ceived in each course within the concentra­tion. Students failing to maintain minimum academic standards will be placed on aca­demic probation at the end of the first semes­ter in which they do not maintain a semester or overall GPA of at least 3.0 or earn a C- or lower grade in any class. If the student fails to raise his overall GPA above a 3.0 by the end of the semester following being placed on academic probation, fails again to earn at least a 3.0 semester GPA or again earns a C-or lower grade in any class, she or he will be separated from the GLDP program. A student separated from the program may apply for readmission to the program following a mini­mum of one semester of not participating in the program. If, following this, the student does not achieve the needed 3.0, he or she is definitively separated from the program.

* Note for all academic programs in the School of Public and International Affairs, a portfo­lio is collected to track progress in program­matic outcomes.

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