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The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is the University of Minnesota's school of policy and planning.


Master of Development Practice (MDP) in international development

The Master of Development Practice prepares you for a career in international development. The degree provides rigorous interdisciplinary training and equips you with the skills you need to address the problems of poverty and sustainable development in the developing world.

The MDP program is jointly administered by the Humphrey School and Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC) and spans several academic units across the University of Minnesota. The degree provides training in policy analysis and management; health and education; natural sciences; social sciences, and interdisciplinary research methods. An international field experience and capstone workshop in development practice also are required.

Our MDP degree is part of a global consortium of international development programs.

What You Can Do with a MDP Degree

People choose this field because they are committed to public service and working on issues of poverty, social justice, and sustainable development in the developing world. As analysts, managers, and leaders, MDP graduates will use interdisciplinary tools and knowledge to develop, assess, and evaluate alternative approaches to current and emerging issues in international development. Their career choices span all levels of government, nongovernmental (NGOs) organizations, and the private sector.

Your career possibilities in international development will be greatly enhanced by the interdisciplinary training the MDP provides. Humphrey School alumni currently work locally, nationally, and internationally with such organizations as: USAID, the State Department, Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, WHO, ASEAN, and other development organizations.

Learn More About the Field

The sites below will help you learn more about the field of international development.

DEVEX (international development resources)
Society for International Development
Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs
Public Policy and International Affairs Program

Humphrey and ICGC Graduates Working in International Development

  • Analyst, Defense Capability and Management, U.S. Accountability Office
  • Asylum officer; Office of Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations; U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Director, Environment Management Team, Office of the Prime Minister, South Korea
  • Director, Foreign Aid Coordination Unit, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Liberia
  • Director of project management, Overseas Private Investment Corporation
  • Former Ambassador to Eritrea, U.S. Department of State
  • Foreign Service Officer, Egypt, U.S. Agency of International Development
  • Programme associate, UNIFEM, Bratislava
  • Research and planning technician, Secretariat of Brazil Planning Institute
  • Research manager, Hindustan Family Planning Institute, India

Learn More About

Dean J. Brian Atwood of the Humphrey Institute J. Brian Atwood, former dean

Development Assistance Committee Chair for OECD, Former Administrator of USAID

More Career Stories | Our Global Impact

Contact Admissions

Humphrey School of Public Affairs
University of Minnesota
225 Humphrey School
301 19th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

612-624-3800
hhhadmit@umn.edu