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International Development

Master's Degrees

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International Development

Improve the human condition in vulnerable communities

Many communities around the world have been left behind — as evidenced by disparities in per capita earnings, health and life expectancy, political and human rights, personal security, and other measures of the human condition. This program emphasizes economic growth that is both environmentally sound and socially inclusive.

You'll build a holistic understanding of how economic, social, political, environmental, and historical factors determine the quality of life for less-advantaged countries and communities around the world. And you’ll acquire valuable practical skills in communication, financial analysis, project management, and program design.

Whether you aim to work in developing countries, international organizations, government agencies, or nonprofits, you'll gain the knowledge and tools needed to positively impact lives worldwide.

Program information

Program length

60 credits

Degree awarded

MA in International Development

Course delivery

On campus

Term length

10 week quarter

Admission & merit aid priority deadline

Priority: October 15, 2026, followed by rolling admissions

Program information

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Shape your experience

Arrive with a plan, or let your curiosity guide you. Our flexible programs give you the freedom to explore new fields, change directions as your interests evolve, or hone in on a specialized track. You'll build a foundation through 16 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of skills coursework, then use your remaining 32 credits to tailor your degree with a specialization, a certificate, or courses abroad. The courses below are a snapshot of what your path might include:

Core Courses (Required)

INTS 4091

4 Credits

Great Issues in International Affairs

INTS 4350

4 Credits

Economic Development

INTS 4468

4 Credits

Politics of Development

Core Courses (Choose One)

INTS 4215

4 Credits

Gender, Aid, and Development

INTS 4353

4 Credits

Environment and Development

INTS 4435

4 Credits

Health and Development

INTS 4521

4 Credits

Cultures of Development

Skills Courses

INTS 4057

4 Credits

Statistics

A total of 8 more credits (in the form of 4-credit or 2-credit skills courses) of INTS or PPOL skills coursework

Certificates

Global Business & Corporate Social Responsibility

Through a unique collaboration between the Daniels College of Business and the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, this certificate equips you with the insights and skills needed to understand the complexities of global business environments – and master corporate strategies that prioritize ethical practices and inclusivity.

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Global Environmental Change & Adaptation

This certificate equips you with innovative solutions to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change, population growth, and resource demands. You’ll explore sustainability and environmental management from multiple angles — and gain a deeper understanding of how to create just and sustainable outcomes for future generations.

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Homeland Security

Receive specialized homeland security training that equips you with the skills to prevent and cope with terrorism. This certificate is one of the first and most comprehensive efforts to address this critical need.

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Humanitarian Assistance

This certificate equips you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for impactful humanitarian work. You’ll learn to partner with affected communities, respond to diverse needs, and lay the groundwork for sustainable and inclusive development.

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Public Diplomacy

Through a unique collaboration between the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs and the Department of Media, Film, and Journalism Studies, this certificate equips you with skills to enhance your global impact. You’ll acquire a sophisticated understanding of global media and communication processes and the ways in which they are employed by individuals, groups, organizations and governments to advance their strategic interests.

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Public Policy

This certificate grounds you in the essentials of policy analysis and the policymaking process. The curriculum blends political, ethical, and equity-based approaches to public policy, preparing you to create effective solutions at all levels of governance.

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Religion & International Affairs

Through a unique collaboration between the Department of Religious Studies and the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, this certificate explores both contemporary case studies and theoretical insights to help you navigate the complex relationship between religions and international politics in the modern world.

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Strategic Intelligence

Dive deep into the full spectrum of intelligence processes, from collecting data to creating actionable intelligence reports. Through hands-on practical exercises, you'll master the art of producing professional-grade intelligence assessments and learn to navigate the complex ethical and strategic dilemmas that define contemporary intelligence work.

Strategic Intelligence

Elective Courses

TRAN 4100

4 Credits

Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4110

4 Credits

Fundamentals of Supply Chain Planning

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4120

4 Credits

Fundamentals of Supply Chain Execution

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4130

4 Credits

Structured Problem Solving in Supply Chain Management

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4140

4 Credits

Supply Chain Technology and Systems

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4150

4 Credits

Supply Chain Cost Management

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4160

4 Credits

Analytic Methods for Supply Chain Management

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4170

4 Credits

Industrial Engineering and Operations Management

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4180

4 Credits

Sustainability and Supply Chain Management

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4190

4 Credits

Import/Export Supply Chain Management

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4901

4 Credits

Capstone Project

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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TRAN 4902

4 Credits

Capstone Seminar

Build a curriculum that maps to the policy challenges you care about — core analytical training, then electives and concentrations to deepen your focus.

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Get outside the classroom

Hands-on experience is essential to your success. You’ll find an abundance of opportunities to develop your professional skills and explore career paths.

Apply your knowledge with internships

Build experience across city, state, and national government agencies, international organizations, global NGOs, and the private sector. With guidance from our career coaches, you’ll land positions that align with your skills and interests.

Immerse yourself in simulation exercises

Join one of our simulations for a taste of on-the-ground realities in an interactive environment. From negotiating international conflicts to managing humanitarian crises, these engaging scenarios are a highlight for Korbel students.

Study away to expand your perspective

Korbel students have the opportunity to study in vibrant cities like Rio de Janeiro, Geneva, Vienna, and Washington, D.C. These experiences offer rich firsthand experience and insights, all at no additional tuition cost.

Dive into research that makes a difference

At Korbel, research directly contributes to real-world impact. Many students engage in applied research at places like our Pardee Institute for International Futures, serving clients like the US government, the United Nations, and the African Union.

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Enjoy the Denver difference

Balance your graduate work with an active outdoor lifestyle in the Mile-High City. Take advantage of a vibrant art, music, and food scene — while enjoying Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine each year.

  • “Hottest U.S. labor market” - ADP, 2024
  • #13 Most Fun Cities in America - WalletHub, December 2024
  • #1 “Hottest Music Venues in the Country” — Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater (Rolling Stone, April 2023)
  • #7 “Top U.S. Cities for Active Lifestyles” - WalletHub, April 2024

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Where recent alumni make an impact

See All Career Outcomes

The practical, real-world skills I learned in the MPP program helped prepare me for my current role by being able to critically analyze existing policies, understand all possible implications, and come up with creative ideas that then inform conversations with state and school district leaders to drive more meaningful outcomes for all students.
Annika Turnquist, Master of Public Policy, 2023

From my very first day as a student at Korbel, I felt that the environment aligned really well with my career aspirations. The school's commitment to professionalism gave me confidence, while its relaxed atmosphere made me feel welcomed in every class, event, project, or conversation.

Current Role: Program Officer, ICLEI USA


Caio Pereira, M.A. International Development 2020

Before grad school, I felt like the jobs I was interested in were just out of reach. I wanted to strengthen my quantitative research skills through a Masters degree. Korbel’s curriculum allowed me to do just that.  My research with Professor Kaplan gave me the opportunity to apply those skills during my studies, so I came to job applications with some experience doing the work I wanted to do. I think the whole Korbel experience - my stats, coding, and econometrics classes, as well as my research with Dr. Kaplan - gave me a competitive edge during the application process.


Mary Louise Cates, M.A. International Development 2023

My time at Korbel shaped how I see the world and approach my work. It helped me understand the deeper systems at play and the intersectional issues that impact communities. I learned to look beyond surface-level solutions and think critically and creatively about the root causes of injustice. That perspective has been invaluable in my career. Whether working on immigrant rights, reproductive justice, or nonprofit leadership, Korbel gave me the tools to navigate complex challenges and push for meaningful change.

Current Role: Policy Manager, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights


Katherine Riley, M.A. International Development 2020

Faculty you’ll work with

Our faculty have a wealth of expertise on critical development issues facing less-advantaged communities around the world, including population growth and urbanization, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, and the quality of governance. Their research explores the roles played by donor governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

Naazneen Barma

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Marie E. Berry

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Sachin Desai

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Rebecca B. Galemba

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Lynn Holland

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Oliver Kaplan

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Jonathan David Moyer

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Singumbe Muyeba

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Aaron Schneider

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Rachel Sigman

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Timothy D. Sisk

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Katherine "Kate" Hannah Tennis

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Suisheng Zhao

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International Development FAQs

ID welcomes applicants from any background with an interest in international studies, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, public policy, and related fields. Experience in NGOs, development organizations, volunteering, or community-based work strengthens an application but is not required.

The program focuses on a holistic understanding of global poverty reduction, inclusive economic growth, humanitarian response, governance reform, project design, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and sustainable development strategies. Students learn both analytical and applied skills widely used in development practice.

International Development at Korbel emphasizes practical skills — statistics, program design, data analysis, and field methods — alongside core theory. Many courses are project-based and simulate real-world development work.

Graduates frequently work with international NGOs, USAID contractors, UN agencies, development consultancies, foundations, and government agencies. Common roles include program manager, survey researchers, development analyst, sustainability officer, urban and regional planners, humanitarian response specialist, resource specialists, and more.

No, but it is highly encouraged. Many students complete internships domestically or abroad. Korbel’s career office helps students identify placements in development organizations, consulting firms, or humanitarian agencies.

Students can choose to complete an optional thesis or substantial research paper. Faculty advisors guide students in selecting the best option based on career goals.

The program integrates hands-on development practice with policy-oriented training, supported by faculty who bring experience from USAID, UN agencies, and major NGOs. Students also benefit from Korbel’s research centers focused on humanitarian policy, development economics, and global governance.

Yes. International applicants are encouraged to apply and receive assistance with CPT/OPT, job search support, and guidance navigating environmental policy careers in U.S. and global markets.

Military & Veteran Pathways

A program built with service members in mind.

Yellow Ribbon participation, dedicated veteran advising, and credit pathways from military service into the MPP.

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