Emory University Master of Development Practice Program Guide 2026

Emory MDP Program Overview

Emory University’s Master of Development Practice (MDP) is a practice-oriented professional degree housed within the Laney Graduate School (LGS) in Atlanta, Georgia. The program trains the next generation of development professionals through a rigorously interdisciplinary curriculum that bridges social science, public health, environmental science, management, and diversity studies — all grounded in hands-on field experience through required summer practicums.

The MDP requires 50 course credits completed over six consecutive semesters, including two summer terms dedicated to field practicums. This structure produces graduates who combine theoretical knowledge with practical development skills gained through embedded work with partner organizations in the Global South and the United States. The program draws courses and faculty from across Emory University’s prestigious schools — including the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory Law School, Goizueta Business School, and Candler School of Theology — creating a learning environment that mirrors the interdisciplinary reality of contemporary development work.

What sets Emory’s MDP apart from other international development programs is its explicit integration of practice and theory. The Interdisciplinary Field Seminars bookend the first summer practicum, ensuring students can process field experiences through academic frameworks. Seven optional concentrations allow specialization in both sectoral interests and programmatic skillsets, and completed concentrations appear on official transcripts — providing tangible credentials that employers recognize. For prospective students comparing development programs, explore our university program guide library.

Curriculum Structure and Credit Requirements

The Emory MDP curriculum is organized around six required competency areas plus a seventh component of student-selected electives. Together, these components total 50 credits that must be completed for graduation. Understanding this structure is essential for students planning their academic journey.

The six competency areas and their credit requirements are: Social Science and Integrative Analysis (12 credits across four core MDP courses), Research and Applied Methods (12 credits including research methods and quantitative analysis), Diversity and Social Justice (4 credits from approved course selections), Environmental Sciences (4 credits from approved selections), Health Sciences (4 credits from approved selections), and Management Sciences (4 credits from approved selections). The remaining 10 credits come from student-selected elective courses at the 500 level or above.

In addition to the 50 graduation credits, students earn 9 credits per summer for field practicums (MDP 595R), which do not count toward the degree credit total but are required for graduation. Full-time enrollment of at least 9 credit hours per semester is mandatory, and students must complete the degree within five years of matriculation. The tuition structure charges by academic term rather than by credit, meaning full-time students can take additional courses without increased tuition — an important advantage for students pursuing concentrations or exploring cross-disciplinary interests.

Core Courses and Competency Areas

The core MDP curriculum includes seven required courses that establish the interdisciplinary foundation every development practitioner needs. These courses are carefully sequenced to build knowledge progressively and integrate classroom learning with field experience.

MDP 500: Introductory Field Seminar launches the program in the fall semester of the first year, orienting students to the interdisciplinary approach that defines the MDP. MDP 506: Research Methods I and MDP 517: Research Methods II are taken in sequence during the fall and spring of the first year, building rigorous methodological skills. An additional Approved Quantitative Methods Course completes the research competency area.

MDP 505: Monitoring and Evaluation can be taken in either year and provides the practical assessment skills essential for development programming. MDP 510: Gender and Development examines how gender dynamics shape development outcomes and can similarly be taken in either year. The Interdisciplinary Field Seminars — MDP 507 and MDP 511 — are particularly noteworthy because they bookend the first summer field practicum, creating a three-course arc (MDP 500 → 507 → 511) that integrates theoretical preparation, field experience, and reflective analysis.

The four competency areas fulfilled through approved course selections — Diversity and Social Justice, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, and Management Sciences — draw from pre-approved courses taught across multiple Emory units. These selections are documented in the MDP Student Hub, and the breadth of options allows students to align their coursework with their career interests and chosen concentrations. The requirement that students take courses across all six competency areas ensures that every graduate possesses the interdisciplinary toolkit that modern development work demands.

Seven Concentrations and Specializations

One of the Emory MDP’s most valuable features is its system of seven optional concentrations that allow students to develop specialized expertise while completing their interdisciplinary degree. Students can pursue up to two concentrations, and completed concentrations appear on official transcripts — providing tangible credentials for the job market.

Five Sectoral Interest Concentrations

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) prepares students to work at the intersection of business and development, addressing how corporations can contribute to sustainable development goals. Gender Justice (GJ) focuses on gender equity in development contexts, building on the core MDP 510 course with additional specialized coursework and practical experience. Global Health and Wellbeing (GH) leverages Emory’s strength in public health through the Rollins School of Public Health, one of the nation’s top-ranked public health schools.

Sustainable Environments and Livelihoods (SEL) addresses the critical nexus of environmental sustainability and economic development. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) provides specialized training in one of development’s most impactful sectors, with courses covering both technical and programmatic dimensions of water and sanitation access.

Two Programmatic Skillset Concentrations

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) builds on the core MDP 505 course to develop advanced skills in program assessment and evidence-based decision-making. Program Management (PM) focuses on the operational and strategic skills needed to design, implement, and manage development programs effectively.

Each concentration requires 8 credits of relevant coursework plus a practical component consisting of relevant internship or practicum experiences and documented participation in events like guest lectures or seminars. The same course cannot be counted toward more than one concentration, and all concentration courses must be taken for a letter grade with at least a B or PS. Students must submit their concentration form before the specified deadline in their final spring semester.

Summer Field Practicums

The two required summer field practicums are the experiential cornerstone of the Emory MDP, providing students with direct exposure to development work in real-world settings. These practicums distinguish the MDP from more theory-focused international development programs and ensure that graduates enter the workforce with demonstrated field competency.

International practicums are full-time engagements lasting 8 to 10 consecutive weeks, embedding students in partner organization project teams in the Global South. Students work alongside development professionals on active projects, gaining hands-on experience with program implementation, monitoring, community engagement, and organizational operations. Specific dates are determined in consultation with host organizations, and the MDP provides financial support through the Summer Field Practicum Award covering basic expenses directly related to the placement.

U.S.-based practicums follow an approved structure with specified hours during the summer term. These placements allow students to apply development principles in domestic contexts, working with community-based organizations serving underserved populations or with NGOs focused on development issues. The MDP also fully covers summer tuition and fees for students in good standing enrolled in either international or domestic practicums.

An important flexibility option exists for the second summer practicum. Students may be exempted from the second summer placement by enrolling in MDP 596R: U.S.-based Internship during the fall and/or spring of their second year and completing 400 hours of internship work. This pathway enables May graduation rather than August — an attractive option for students eager to enter the workforce or who have secured employment starting in the summer. Eligibility for field practicums requires good academic standing and appropriate professional conduct; students on academic probation may face more limited practicum options.

Electives and Cross-School Opportunities

The Emory MDP’s elective requirement — 10 credits through at least three courses — gives students significant latitude to shape their education according to their career interests. What makes this particularly powerful is the access students enjoy to graduate courses across Emory University’s multiple schools and departments.

Students can select from courses offered by the Rollins School of Public Health (epidemiology, global health, behavioral sciences), Emory Law School (human rights law, international law, environmental policy), Goizueta Business School (social enterprise, impact investing, organizational management), Candler School of Theology (ethics, community organizing, social justice), and numerous other academic departments. Occasionally, courses at partner institutions are also available.

Academic-year internship credits (MDP 596R) can count toward elective requirements, allowing students who undertake supervised work with development organizations to earn academic credit while building professional experience. Students earn 2 to 4 credits per semester depending on hours served, with internship types including research, teaching, or graduate assistantships on Emory campus; internships with community-based organizations working with underserved populations; and internships with NGOs focused on development issues.

Additional academic flexibility comes through course exemptions and substitutions. Students with relevant graduate coursework or professional experience may be exempted from select core courses (undergraduate courses cannot serve as a basis for exemption). Course substitutions, while rarely granted, are available when backed by compelling justification. Independent study through directed readings allows students to pursue topics of their choosing under faculty supervision. For comparisons with how other universities structure their development programs, see our comprehensive university guide collection.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Funding

The Emory MDP provides a multi-layered financial support system that makes this intensive program accessible to qualified students from diverse economic backgrounds. Understanding the full scope of available funding is essential for prospective students evaluating the program’s affordability.

MDP Partial Tuition Remission Scholarships are the primary form of financial aid, awarded competitively based on each applicant’s ranking in the admission review process. These scholarships are communicated upon acceptance, distributed over fall and spring semesters, and remain in place for the second year as long as students maintain good academic standing. The scholarship amounts are not negotiable once students enroll, and they are guaranteed for the standard six semesters of degree completion.

The MDP Summer Term Tuition Subsidy covers full tuition and fees for students in good standing enrolled in field practicums during the first and second summer terms. This is a significant financial benefit, as summer tuition at a university of Emory’s caliber represents a substantial expense. The subsidy ensures that the field practicum requirement does not create an additional financial burden.

The MDP Summer Field Practicum Award provides funding specifically for expenses directly related to approved summer practicums — whether international or U.S.-based. This award covers basic practicum-related costs but does not extend to Atlanta living expenses during international placements. The amount may be adjusted if host organizations provide compensation or cover expenses directly.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents may access student loans through the Emory Graduate School Financial Aid office. Additional funding opportunities include research, teaching, and graduate assistantships available through various Emory departments, with credits earned through these positions counting toward elective requirements. A notable structural advantage: since tuition is charged by term rather than by credit, full-time students can take additional courses — or audit courses — without increased tuition costs, maximizing the educational value of each semester.

Academic Policies and Student Support

The Emory MDP maintains clear academic standards and provides comprehensive support infrastructure to help students succeed throughout their six-semester journey. Understanding these policies helps students navigate the program effectively and avoid potential pitfalls.

Academic advising, while not mandatory, is highly encouraged each semester with designated MDP faculty or staff. Students are advised to consult the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and MDP Director early in their studies for guidance on planning coursework, practicum experiences, and concentration selections to build a coherent professional profile. The DGS serves as the central decision-maker for exemptions, substitutions, academic standing determinations, and leave of absence endorsements.

Professional conduct expectations are clearly articulated. MDP students are considered “professionals-in-training” and are expected to maintain the utmost professionalism in all interactions — with peers, staff, faculty, internship supervisors, partner organizations, potential employers, and community members. The DGS and Program Director may limit course access and practicum opportunities for conduct concerns, and the Program Director can recommend termination to the Dean of LGS for behavior that reflects poorly on Emory or the MDP program.

Students have access to comprehensive campus resources including Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Services, the Emory Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, Student Digital Life computing services, and the Laney Graduate Student Council (LGSC). The MDP Student Hub on OneDrive serves as a central repository for forms, course information, concentration overviews, the field practicum manual, and graduation requirements.

Career Development and Professional Training

The Emory MDP’s practice orientation extends into dedicated career development resources designed to bridge the gap between graduate education and professional employment. The program recognizes that academic excellence alone does not guarantee career success and invests in preparing students for the competitive development sector job market.

Students access professional development workshops, networking events, one-to-one mentorship, and relevant online platforms throughout their enrollment. The program emphasizes that academic records, concentration choices, and practical learning experiences are all important factors in securing meaningful employment after graduation — reinforcing the importance of strategic decision-making about coursework and field placements from the start.

The combination of seven optional concentrations and two required field practicums creates a natural framework for building a coherent professional identity. Students who thoughtfully align their concentration coursework, elective selections, practicum placements, and academic-year internships can graduate with a focused expertise profile that employers in the development sector actively seek. Whether a student’s interest lies in global health programming, environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility, or monitoring and evaluation, the MDP’s flexible structure allows for targeted professional preparation within the broader interdisciplinary framework.

Access to Emory’s broader career resources — including the Laney Graduate School career services, networking alumni communities, and Atlanta’s growing development and social impact sector — further enhances post-graduation prospects. Atlanta’s position as a hub for organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CARE International, The Carter Center, and numerous NGOs creates unique internship and employment pipelines for MDP graduates. For more on how universities prepare development professionals, explore our university program guide library.

Academic Calendar and Program Milestones

The Emory MDP follows a structured six-semester timeline that integrates classroom learning, field experience, and degree completion milestones. Understanding this timeline helps prospective and current students plan effectively for each phase of the program.

Year 1, Fall Semester: Students begin with MDP 500 (Introductory Field Seminar), MDP 506 (Research Methods I), and additional core or competency area courses. This semester establishes the foundational knowledge and methodological skills that underpin everything that follows.

Year 1, Spring Semester: MDP 517 (Research Methods II) continues the methodological sequence, and MDP 507 (Interdisciplinary Field Seminar I) prepares students for the upcoming summer practicum. Additional competency area and elective courses fill out the semester.

Year 1, Summer: The first field practicum (MDP 595R, 9 credits) takes students into the field — internationally in the Global South or domestically — for 8 to 10 weeks of full-time development work. Summer tuition and fees are fully covered, and the practicum award supports basic field expenses.

Year 2, Fall Semester: MDP 511 (Interdisciplinary Field Seminar II) processes the summer practicum experience through academic frameworks. Students continue with remaining competency area requirements, concentration courses, and electives. Academic-year internships (MDP 596R) may begin for students pursuing the accelerated graduation option.

Year 2, Spring Semester: Final coursework, concentration completion, and graduation preparation. Students pursuing concentrations must submit their concentration forms before the specified deadline. Those completing 400 internship hours can graduate in May.

Year 2, Summer: The second field practicum (or May graduation for those who completed the 400-hour internship alternative). Students who complete the summer practicum graduate in August. The maximum time to complete all requirements is five years from matriculation, though the program is designed for the six-semester standard timeline.