International Development Policy | Public Policy, University of Maryland

Home / Degree Programs / Master Of Public Policy / Areas Of Specialization / International Development Policy

The development specialization focuses on the empirical, policy, and ethical dimensions of development. By "development" we mean beneficial economic, political, and social change, especially in poor countries. Our scholars address both the most defensible ends and effective means of development. Our courses seek to understand and confront severe deprivations such as economic stagnation, poverty, unhappiness, food insecurity, political repression, ethnic/religious conflict, population displacement, and HIV/AIDS. The current and potential roles of local, national, regional, and global institutions in improving the development process and its outcomes-especially economic growth, poverty alleviation and good governance (including democratization and human rights)-is evaluated from economic, ethical, and political perspectives. The specialization includes a focus on the nexus between international economic and international security trends, with a particular focus on the role of poverty and inequality in mediating those relationships. Students acquire the tools and skills required to measure accurately the effects of interventions on development outcomes, as well as to navigate the often acrimonious debates about the effects of globalization-related trends on developing countries and poor people within them.

International Development Alumni Jobs

Consultant, The World Bank
Programme Specialist, United Nations Development Programme
Junior Professional Program, Inter-American Development Bank
Program Office Chief, U.S. Agency for International Development
Analyst, Abt Associates, Inc.
Program Associate, Asia Foundation
Program Manager, Catholic Relief Services
Entry Level Professional Program, Chemonics
Development Specialist, Development Alternatives, Inc.
Development and Outreach Manager, International Foundation for Election Systems
Program Coordinator, John Snow International,Inc.

International Development Specialization Curriculum

In addition to meeting the overall requirements of their degree program, students electing to specialize in international development take the following courses:

Development Challenges in the Globalization Process (PUAF 698R) Introduces the range of opportunities and challenges that the integration of the world economy poses for developing countries. Topics include: (1) the links between growth, trade, capital market integration, and poverty reduction; (2) the interaction between global economic integration and poverty and inequality trends; ethnic, religious, and other forms of civil violence; and global public health challenges; and (3) the effects of those trends and the increasing availability of global information on public perceptions of the process.

International Economic Policy (PUAF 781) Examines current issues and institutions affecting international economic relations. Topics include theories of the international economy, trade and GATT, international monetary policy and exchange rates, international development, investment and finance, selected regional issues, and broader macroeconomic interdependence and policy coordination.

International Development Economics (PUAF 782) Examines key current economic and policy issues for developing and transition economies. Topics include inflation stabilization, fiscal policy, selected trade issues, dealing with international capital flows, the role of multilateral organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and issues relating to saving, investment and growth.

At least one international development elective. Popular IDEV electives include:

Environment & Development (PUAF 744)

Ethics, Development & Foreign Aid (PUAF 698O)

The State & Development (PUAF 699J)

Disease, Disasters & Development (PUAF 699D)

Global Inequality and its Implications (PUAF 699I)

Democracy & Democratization (PUAF 698Q)

Civil Conflict & Terrorism (PUAF 699K)

Demography (PUAF 699Q)

MPP Students Only: IDEV Project Course (PUAF 790) Students analyze and recommend responses to a current policy issue of their choice. Emphasizes problem definition, organization of information, and presentation of results.

Typical MPP Student International Development Academic Plan

Fall Semester I	Spring Semester I
Core: PUAF 610 "Quantitative Aspects of Public Policy " OR PUAF 611 "Quantitative Analysis of Policy Issues "	Core: PUAF 641 "Macroeconomics and Policy Analysis"
Core: PUAF 620 "Political Analysis"	Core: PUAF 711 "Public Management & Leadership"
Core: PUAF 640 "Microeconomics and Policy Analysis" OR (with permission of PUAF 640 instructor) PUAF 698X "Microeconomic Applications of Public Policy"	IDEV: PUAF 698R "Development & Globalization"
Core: PUAF 650 "Moral Dimensions of Public Policy" OR PUAF 698x "Proseminar in Politics, Philosophy and Public Policy"	IDEV: Elective
Fall Semester II	Spring Semester II
IDEV: PUAF 781 "International Economic Policy"	IDEV: PUAF 782 "International Development Economics"
Three general electives	IDEV: PUAF 790 "Project Course"
	Two general electives

International Development Town Hall

Each semester, the chairperson of each specialization holds a Town Hall. At this event, students and faculty discuss course offerings for the upcoming semesters, changes to the specialization and solicit feedback for improvements. Suggestions from previous Town Halls have resulted in new courses. Student led specialization councils also describe their current activities and efforts for student advocacy and engagement. These events are the best way for students to get a comprehensive overview of the specialization and to shape its future direction.

Proposed courses for Fall 2012-Spring 2013 semesters (subject to change).

Primary International Development Faculty

Name	Expertise
Braithwaite, Jeanine Senior Lecturer	Development economics
Crocker, David Senior Research Scholar, IPPP	Ethics, development, foreign aid; democratization, and human rights
Destler, I. M. (Mac) Professor Senior Fellow, CISSM	US foreign policymaking, trade and trade politics, US-Japan relations, public opinion, the presidency and the Congress
Field, Charles Senior Research Scholar	Negotiation and conflict resolution, housing
Graham, Carol Professor & Director, Ph.D. Program Director, IDEV Program	Developing economies, poverty and inequality, market transitions, social welfare policies, novel measures of well being and happiness, economics
Hilde, Thomas Research Professor	Ethics, social and political philosophy, environmental policy, international development and international affairs
Li, Xiarong Research Scholar, IPPP	Civil rights, reproductive rights, international affairs (Asia), development
Milanovic, Branko Senior Lecturer	Global inequality
Reinhart, Carmen Professor	Currency and banking crises, financial liberalization and capital flows, volatile international capital movements, development economics
Schick, Allen Professor	Government institutions in developing countries, federal budgeting, public finance
Sprinkle, Robert H. Associate Professor	Health policy, diseases and disasters in developing countries, environmental policy
Steinbruner, John Professor & Director, CISSM	Arms control, nuclear weapons, Russian foreign policy