Why choose the Masters in International Development Administration?
Students in the MIDA program at Western Michigan University planning to pursue careers in the public and nonprofit sectors in developing countries and in international development organizations can build a foundation of professional competence in the following classes offered by the Department of Political Science.
- Development theories such as those oriented to government action, economic markets and popular participation.
- History of the field, where most core classes use case studies so students gain a broad familiarity with practical issues specific to many professional areas and political environments.
- Methods such as cost-benefit analysis, monitoring and evaluation, the logical framework, stakeholder analysis and methods of political and institutional analysis.
- Skills such as budgeting, research and writing, human resource management and public speaking.
Recent classes have discussed programs and projects such as savings and credit, irrigation, jute mills, primary health care, small business development, tea estates, agricultural extension and retail cooperatives. Students have examined development policies and their implementation in many countries including Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Taiwan and Turkey. Other topics include legacies of colonialism, structural adjustment, poverty, corruption, technology, decentralization and economic topics such as inflation, exchange rates, monopoly and international markets.
Master of International Development Administration program requirements
DEPARTMENT FUNDING
The department offers graduate assistantships for a limited number of students on a competitive basis. Assistantship stipends include tuition remission and start in the fall semester only. Indicate that you are applying for an assistantship while completing your application in ApplyYourself.
Return the completed application by the February 1 deadline to apply.
forms
Common departmental forms.
Advising
See specific advising information pertaining to graduate students in the Department of Political Science at Western Michigan University.
Internships
The following links offer internship possibilities:
- Amnesty International
- CARE
- Global Crossroad
- Global Service Corps
- GoAbroad
- IDB Winter Intern Program - Internship opportunities with the Inter-American Development Bank (applicants must be a citizen of one of the Bank’s member countries)
- Idealist
- Institute of International Education
- Intern Abroad
- International Cooperative Education
- Meridian International Center
- RedR
- The World Bank
- Transitions Abroad
- United Nations Internship Programme
- USDA Student Opportunities (available to U.S. citizens only)
Careers
Students in the Master of International Development Administration program may want to consider these career options.
Research
Placements
See a listing of placements for Master of International Development Administration students.