The SAIS International Development (IDEV) Program provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of developing countries, with the aim of preparing students for careers in development. IDEV students for Academic Year 2012-2013 will be able to take courses in three tracks: (1) Finance and Development, (2) Politics and Governance, and (3) Human Development. In addition, they can opt for a specialization in Development Economics or International Finance, offered through the SAIS International Economics Program, or a specialization in Emerging Markets, administered through the IDEV Program. IDEV students are encouraged to combine functional approaches with SAIS's rich offerings in the development experience of specific regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Washington, DC is in many ways the center of the development world. It is home to multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and Inter-American Development Bank; US government agencies or affiliates like the Agency for International Development, Treasury Department, National Endowment for Democracy; research centers such as the Center for Global Development and Brookings Institution; non-governmental organizations like Freedom House, Eurasia Foundation, FINCA, Accion, and InterAction; and many for-profit service providers such as Chemonics International or Development Alternatives International.
Students in the IDEV Program receive rigorous academic training that helps them better conceptualize the development process in its economic, political, and social dimensions. Many students combine this program with practical policy and field experience through an internship between their first and second years. Students can also expand their contacts with development policy and practitioners through the networks in the Washington area.
Only a limited number of students admitted to SAIS will be accepted into the IDEV Program, although courses are open to all SAIS students on a space available basis. Students are admitted directly to the IDEV Program as part of the SAIS application process.
Strong preference is given to students with prior experience living in developing countries, or with prior work or volunteer experience relevant to a career in development, although consideration is given to students demonstrating a strong motivation to make a career change into development work.
To enter IDEV, students also must have completed the SAIS intermediate microeconomics requirement prior to entering SAIS. This can be accomplished through SAIS Summer Programs, through Pre-Term or by passing the Microeconomics waiver exam. Students who are eligible to take the waiver exam are highly advised to do so when it is offered in June; failure to pass this exam or the SAIS Microeconomics course will disqualify candidates from entering the IDEV Program. For more information on IDEV Program admissions, please refer to the frequently asked questions.
Students may start the IDEV Program in either Washington, D.C., or in Bologna, Italy. Although the number of development courses offered by the Bologna Center is expanding its offerings are more limited than in Washington, so Bologna students are advised to fulfill their SAIS economics and core requirements prior to their second year. (IDEV dual-degree students who study in Bologna will find it difficult to meet all IDEV requirements.)
The IDEV Program will be accepting a very limited number of doctoral students for the 2013-2014 academic year.
Some IDEV courses are offered in alternate years to give students a wide selection of courses during their two years at SAIS. Students spending only two or three semesters at SAIS in Washington, D.C., must plan carefully to take alternate-year IDEV courses. Consult the IDEV Web site for courses offered in a given year.
Typical International Development Courses
Click here for a full listing of international development courses
Last revised 08/7/12