Expand your knowledge in international development policy while earning your degree.
The International Development Policy (IDP) Graduate Certificate at Duke University provides graduate and professional students the opportunity to build practical policy, economics, and leadership skills without extending the time required to complete their primary degree. Offered through the Sanford School of Public Policy, the 15-credit certificate program complements study across disciplines—from public policy and global health to engineering, environmental science, business and law.
More than 400 master's and PhD students have earned the certificate. They now influence the international development field through their work in government, health, business, environmental management, communications, education, sustainable tourism, scientific diplomacy, and more.
Interested in international development but unsure which courses to take?
The IDP Certificate provides an academic pathway for you to build a foundation in international development policy while complementing your primary field of study. Instead of selecting elective options independently, you'll choose from a curated list of approved courses. Learn alongside students from across Duke, gaining interdisciplinary perspectives and exploring solutions to today's most pressing global challenges. You may also receive updates on Sanford IDP-related events and opportunities.
Program Requirements
A total of 15 credits must be fulfilled prior to or in conjunction with graduation from your degree program:
- One International Development (ID) Economics seminar (3 credits) and
- 12 credits of approved International Development (ID) elective courses
A minimum of 9 of the 15 credits must be Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) courses.
Courses
All MIDP courses, in addition to all those listed under the International Development Economics Seminars, count towards the International Development Electives requirement. MIDP courses are usually PUBPOL courses numbered in the 700s. One of the 3-credit PUBPOL courses listed (numbered 500s, 600s, or 800s) may be substituted for one of the MIDP courses.
Courses vary yearly, depending on faculty availability and curriculum changes. Only approved graduate courses (500 level or above) may be counted towards the certificate. PUBPOL courses numbered 590 may apply to the certificate as their topics and titles change annually.
Students interested in pursuing the IDP certificate are responsible for checking the most current approved courses.
Applying for the Certificate
IDP Certificate Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be admitted in October and March of each year, prior to course registration. Students enrolled in The Graduate School at Duke must additionally complete the Graduate Certificate Program Application, as required by their home department, and upload it to the IDP Certificate Application.
You may begin taking courses toward completion of the certificate before you are officially enrolled in the certificate program. By submitting an application, you are expressing interest in the certificate and will receive further information by email from the program coordinator.
Completing the Program
To confirm fulfillment of the requirements, you must submit the IDP Certificate Completion Form. The deadline to submit this form and have the IDP Certificate added to a transcript for fall graduates is October 1 in the final semester. The deadline to submit for spring graduates is November 30 in the final semester.
| Anticipated Graduation | Completion Form Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | October 1 |
| Spring | November 30 |
If you have completed the requirements without being officially enrolled in the certificate program, you may have the certificate added to your academic record in your final semester of study.
In addition to the certificate requirements, students must successfully complete their primary graduate degree. Failure to earn the primary degree will automatically result in the certificate listed as “discontinued” on the transcript.
Confirmation of earning the certificate will be sent to students who have successfully completed all the requirements in the final semester of their degree program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Current, full-time master's and PhD students at Duke and nearby inter-institutional partners who are not enrolled in the Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program.
Yes. Please note that once the IDP Certificate has been added to your academic record, it cannot be removed. If you fail to complete the requirements by the end of your graduation term, the certificate will appear as “discontinued” on your academic record.
There is no fee to complete the IDP certificate.
Enrolled IDP certificate students may submit syllabi via email to devonte.keith@duke.edu to be reviewed for approval. Non-listed courses will only be reviewed during the shopping cart period and registration of each semester. Please visit the Registrar’s website for these dates each semester and plan your course load accordingly to ensure you fulfill the requirements for the certificate.
"I came to Duke to pursue an interdisciplinary graduate education in business, policy, and the social sciences. The IDP Certificate allows students from across the university the opportunity to complement their disciplinary studies with a deep, rich focus on development, emerging markets, and the environment. As I speak with organizations working on climate resilient development, they mention that I stand out from the crowd in part because of the IDP Certificate and graduate policy studies."
Ryan Van Slyke graduated from Duke in 2024 with the MBA and IDP certificate.
Questions?
Contact Devonte Keith in the Sanford School of Public Policy at devonte.keith@duke.edu.