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MALD International & Development Economics

Contemporary politics evolve quickly. Policy solutions need to adapt to a data-driven world. 

The MALD International and Development Economics (MALD: IDE) track is built to equip you with a solid foundation of economic theories and econometric skills to solve current policy challenges in international finance, trade and investment, and international development. 

MALD: IDE pairs a strong STEM education with specialized training in a foreign affairs field of your choice, giving you a well-rounded, interdisciplinary international relations skill set, firmly rooted in economics. The MALD: IDE can prepare you for an advanced role in government, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector. 

Key features

Leverage economic competency for good

 

MALD: IDE enhances the MALD curriculum with a focused study of quantitative economics.

As an IDE student, you’ll complete similar coursework to your MALD classmates. Customize your degree by specializing in either International Economic Relations or International Development and Environmental Policy, plus an international relations field of your choice, providing you with a well-rounded and interdisciplinary education. Additionally, you’ll develop critical skills to get you job ready:  

  • Use advanced economic statistics, econometric techniques, and micro and macroeconomic modeling to conduct sophisticated economic analyses.
  • Employ econometric methods to evaluate and address contemporary policy challenges in international trade, finance, and development.
  • Assess the effectiveness of economic policies and development interventions using rigorous quantitative methods and data-driven approaches.

Degree requirements

    • Candidates for the MALD: IDE must demonstrate academic quantitative capacity as follows: 
      • Completed college-level courses or demonstrated competency in Statistics, Calculus, and Microeconomics (or their equivalent) with a minimum grade of B- (or equivalent). These need not be part of a college degree and can be taken, for credit and a grade, independently.
      • Other quantitative coursework, research, and professional experience will add to a candidate’s quantitative profile, especially economics, data analysis, and calculus classes. Students with engineering, pre-med, and other science backgrounds may be considered a strong fit as well.
    • Students must apply directly to the MALD or the MALD: IDE.  We strongly encourage applicants to apply to the degree for which they are most qualified and is most relevant to their professional goals. If you have not yet completed the required statistics, calculus, and economics coursework, you may choose to complete this before applying and submit appropriate transcripts.  
    • Candidates who apply for but have not demonstrated competency in statistics, calculus, and microeconomics may be considered for the MALD or may be offered admission to the MALD: IDE conditional upon providing evidence of successful completion of additional coursework before starting the program. 
       

  • MALD: IDE students must complete a set of core methods courses (12 course credits or pass relevant equivalency exams), and also choose to specialize in International Economic Relations or International Development and Environmental Policy and complete core specialization courses (12 course credits). All 24 course credits are STEM-qualified. These 24 STEM credits are paired with 24 credits split between your international relations Field of Study and electives to total the 48 credits required for the MALD.

  • Students take two courses in Diplomacy, History, and Politics. Additionally, they take one course in International Law and Organizations.

  • MALD: IDE students pair either International Economic Relations or International Development and Environmental Policy with a second field of study of their choice.

  • Students must demonstrate proficiency in more than one language. This may be done through one of four means:

    • Language testing
    • Completion of intermediate level language courses
    • Prior completion of language courses at the intermediate level
    • Prior degree completion in a language other than English 

  •  All MALD students complete a capstone project under the direction of a professor. The capstone allows students to sharpen their analytical skills, build deep knowledge in a specific area of expertise, and create a bridge to their job search. Capstone projects have included business plans, policy memos, case studies, group projects, and academic theses.

  • This program provides guidance on all aspects of career development, including building a strategic résumé, strengthening your cover letter, perfecting your interview skills, and more.