Brandeis University

Program Information

Degree Offered

MA in Sustainable International Development; Joint MBA and MA in Sustainable International Development; Joint MA in Women and Gender Studies &in Sustainable International Development; Joint MA in Coexistence and Conflict & Sustainable International Development

Format: Campus

Program Description:

The Graduate Programs in Sustainable International Development form a community of concerned students and faculty drawn from around the world. OUR MISSION is to help build a new generation of development planners and policy makers in the U.S. and abroad for whom a global society free of poverty, preventable disease, and environmental degradation is achievable.

The Master of Arts in Sustainable International Development program has an innovative professional curriculum that includes a Year-In-Residence studying with senior researchers and development practitioners and a second-year project that includes either an internship or advanced study applying and evaluating methods and models of development.

The MA-SID program option is only available for a select group of seasoned development practitioners and it waives the required second-year while raising the academic requirements for them during their Year-In-Residence. The SID Summer Enrichment program equips students with the language and economics tools to have a comfortable and successful transition to life in the United States and at SID.

The SID curriculum is structured by a series of core competencies to ensure that each student gains knowledge of a certain breadth and depth of development issues and approaches. The core competencies, as listed below, can be met in a variety of ways, depending on your desired focus.

Total credits required for year-in-residence = 32.

HS 261a Threats to Development: Climate Change

HS 279a Planning and Implementation

HS 271a Poverty, Inequality and Development

Monitoring and Evaluation
Options include:
* HS 278f Monitoring and Evaluation
* HS 509a Program and Policy Evaluation

Ecology
HS 261a Threats to Development: Climate Change
Plus one of the following:
* HS 224f Gender and the Environment
* HS 259f TOPICS: Renewable Energy for Environmentally Sustainable International Development
* HS 259f TOPICS: Physical Science that Impacts Energy Choices for Development
* HS 259f TOPICS: Sustainable Agriculture and Watersheds
* HS 259f TOPICS: Trade and Natural Resources
* HS 259f TOPICS: Ecology of Health
* HS 259f TOPICS: Tourism and Development
* HS 282f Environmental Impact Assessment
* HS 300f Integrated Conservation and Development
* HS 325f Right to Water

Economics
Option A:
*HS 261a Threats to Development: Climate Change
Plus one of the following:
* HS 221f Household Economics
* HS 223f Gender and Development in the Context of Neoliberalism and Globalization
* HS225f The Measurement and Political Economy of Income Inequality, Social Capital, and Empowerment
* HS 259f TOPICS: Economic Tools for Environmental Stewardship
* HS 259f Environmental Economics and Policy
* HS 259f Political Economy of the Environment- Development Nexus
* HS 295f Natural Resource Development Planning
* HS 306f Survey Design and Data Analysis
* HS 422f Benefit / Cost Analysis
Option B:
HS 261a Threats to Development: Climate Change
Plus:
* HS 350a Economics: Management and Social Policy

Gender
Options include:
* HS 283f Gender and Development
* HS 284f Gender Analysis
* HS 224f Gender and the Environment
* HS 308f Masculinities and Gender Relations in Sustainable Development
* HS 223f Gender and Globalization
* HS 259f Gender and Human Rights

Rights-Based Approach
* HS 285f Rights-based Approach to Development

Second-Year Project
During your Year-in-Residence at SID, you will work under the guidance of Career Services as well as faculty and researchers to develop your Second-Year Project. The aim of the Second-year Project is to develop your professional skills, experience, and contacts through practical training. Early-career students are given entrée to the field of development while mid-career students are able to diversify and deepen their experience.

Your Second-Year Project will be either:
A professional-level practicum working with leading development organizations throughout the world
-or-
Advanced study engaging your research skills while working under the mentorship of a senior researcher at Brandeis

Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges NEASC

Eligibility Requirements:

Successful applicants to the MA program/joint MA programs in Sustainable International Development usually have at least two or three years of demonstrated experience in development. Applicants who were brought up in developing nations or who have been immersed in the culture may have their professional experience requirement waived. Waivers are granted only after careful review of the application by the faculty admissions committee. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and alumni of other international service organizations are encouraged to apply.

International Student Requirements:

Proof of English language proficiency.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: Yes

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Extensive

Institution Sector: Private not-for-profit

Locale: Small City

Size & Settings: 5,000 - 9,999