Specializations

graduate specialization

The Graduate Specialization in International Development is available to students who are enrolled in masters and doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University.

The College of Social Science administers the specialization. The graduate academic adviser for international development, located in the Center for Advanced Study of International Development, coordinates the specialization on behalf of the Dean.

Students interested in earning certification in the Graduate Specialization in International Development must meet with the adviser for the specialization to develop a plan for completing the necessary requirements.

The Graduate Specialization in International Development is designed to:

• Provide an opportunity for graduate students to obtain a comprehensive and contemporary academic experience in the field of international development studies.
  
• Sensitize graduate students with an interest in development studies to their professional obligations and responsibilities.
  
• Develop an intellectual environment that will foster the growth of research and teaching in the area of development studies.
  

Students who elect the specialization are encouraged to study the foreign language most relevant to their educational and career objectives, to acquire practical experience in development work and to complete courses in addition to the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization.

Although separate graduate specializations in international development have been established for masters and doctoral students, a given student may receive certification of completion of either the specialization for master's students or the specialization for doctoral students, but not for both of the specializations.

With the approval of the department or school and college that administers the student's degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the specialization alsomay be used to satisfy the requirements for the degree.