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Empowering global leaders in sustainable development.
The Duke Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) is a self-designed, interdisciplinary degree that prepares mid-career professionals from around the world with policy expertise, technical skills, and collaborative peer-learning experience needed to lead transformative change in their communities.
At Sanford you'll find:
- Leading experts in public policy and practice
- A close-knit, collaborative community
- Personalized mentoring from faculty and advisors
- Meaningful engagement with practitioners across every sector
- Access to Duke's world-class interdisciplinary expertise
- Tailored career support
- A strong, global network of loyal alumni
- The resources and reach of a top-tier research university
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Program details | Application
"Being part of a cohort made up of professionals from all over the world created a learning environment that was as dynamic as it was inspiring. That kind of diversity pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect."
—Livia Hoxha, MIDP'25
MIDP's curriculum is designed to provide the foundational skills required for international development experts to deepen their impact while also offering flexibility for students to select courses that best fit their professional goals. MIDP staff and faculty advisors will work together to advise you and guide you in creating your course plan.
Core Courses
- Policy Analysis for Development
- Economic Foundations for Development
- Empirical Analysis for Development (Statistics)
- Applied Development Economics
Lab and Practicums (Ungraded)
- Public Policy Writing Practicum
- Public Policy Editing Practicum
- Careers and Professional Development Lab
Elective courses
Elective courses offer students the ability to design their own unique course of study, guided by their passions and career interests.
Master's Project
The master’s project is a 30-35 page paper required of all candidates for the master’s degree.
Internship
- Internships must be full-time and last a minimum of 10 weeks (or the equivalent of 300 hours) and must be policy-relevant.
- Students with at least 8 years of relevant post-graduate professional experience may petition to fulfill the practical training degree requirement through demonstration of their prior experience.
Explore MIDP's curriculum in detail.
The MIDP Program offers a diverse range of areas of focus, which are designed to guide students in selecting curriculum for elective courses that best suit their professional goals. Students also have the option of designing their own unique area of focus.
- Applied Development Economics
- Institutions, Governance and Organizations
- Social Welfare Policy
- Environment and Energy Management and Policy
- Global Health and Development
- Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Technology Policy and Development
- Private Sector and Development
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Explore MIDP's areas of focus in detail.
The following timelines illustrate the progression of courses by semester in the traditional and accelerated pathways of the MIDP program.
Traditional Pathway (48 credits, 2 academic years)
| Semseter 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Analysis Empirical Analysis Economic Foundations Elective Writing Practicums Career Course + Lab | Applied Development Economics Elective Elective Elective Presentation Practicums | Master Project 1 Elective Elective Elective | Master Project 2 Elective Elective Elective |
Accelerated Pathway (30 Credits, 12 or 18 months)
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Analysis Empirical Analysis Economic Foundations Elective(s) Master Project 1 Writing Practicum Career Course + Lab | Master Project 2 Applied Development Economics Elective(s) Presentation Practicum | Summer/Fall Courses (remaining degree requirements) |
Students who have at least 8 years of relevant post-graduate professional experience may petition to fulfill the practical training degree requirement through demonstration of their prior experience. Electives are determined by prior coursework and unique program pathway.
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The faculty at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy have earned national and international recognition for excellence in research, policy engagement and teaching.
Sanford has a diverse mix of academic scholars and professors of the practice whose practical experience in top leadership roles enhances the classroom experience.
Faculty members collaborate across disciplines to explore questions relating to income inequality, obesity and hunger, energy policy, child neglect and abuse, access to health care, democratization, foreign policy and global concerns.
Internships
MIDP students have interned at organizations around the world such as:
- The International Organization for Migration
- U.S. Institute of Peace
- The World Bank
- International Finance Corporation
- Asian Development Bank
- UNICEF
- Partners Global
- Heifer International
- Oxfam
- The Organization for European Development and Cooperation.
Master's Project
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All students work closely with a faculty advisor while completing a yearlong capstone project. For example, Goharik Tigranyan MIDP'24 completed a project focused on reforming the financial mechanisms that support disability-inclusive education in Armenia.
Many students opt to earn a concurrent certificate offered by another department or school at Duke, including:
- African and African American Studies
- East Asian Studies
- Global Health
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- International Peace and Conflict Transformation: This certificate, offered by the University of North Carolina, requires 15 credits on topics related to international peace and conflict transformation plus participation in the Duke-UNC Rotary seminars. It is only open to Duke MIDP students. Contact Jon Abels.
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies
- Middle East Studies
- Russian Legal Studies
- Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies
At Duke Sanford, your career goals are our priority. Whether you aspire to drive local change, shape international development, or lead in the private or nonprofit sector, our Graduate Career Services Team is here to support and prepare you for a purpose-driven career in an evolving policy world.
- Explore graduate career services and professional development.
- Learn more from our fast facts: 2024-2025 Annual Report
Please keep in mind that total tuition will differ depending on whether you are pursuing the accelerated pathway (12 or 18 months) or the traditional pathway (24 months).
Sanford is fortunate to be able to provide partial scholarships to students based on merit. We encourage applicants to also review the resources provided on our Funding Your Sanford Education web page.
Explore the work of past MIDP cohorts and their career outcomes:
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Cohort Size
We typically enroll 20-30 students per cohort, so most classes are small and allow for meaningful interaction with faculty and peers. Class sizes may vary for courses taken outside the program or in other departments.
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Student Profile
MIDP students bring a wealth of experience to the classroom. Each has at least five years in a development-related field, with an average of nine years across the cohort. Around 90% of students come from outside the U.S., representing 20+ countries and a wide range of global perspectives.
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Time to Complete
Choose the path that fits your goals: a traditional two-year option with 48 credits over four semesters, or an accelerated track with 30 credits completed in just three semesters. The accelerated option is designed for students who have already completed the equivalent of one year of graduate-level coursework.
We look for applicants who can successfully undertake rigorous graduate-level studies. The ideal applicant has:
- A four-year undergraduate degree.
- A strong academic background.
- An increase in professional responsibilities over time.
- Development-related experience. Past applicants have held positions in U.S. and foreign government agencies, NGO’s, public international organizations, private corporations, the U.S. military, and the U.S. Peace Corps.
- A well-written essay, a commitment to working in development and a deep awareness of development issues.
- Strong letters of recommendation which speak in detail about your skills.
- Strong written and oral English skills.
Applicants must have a minimum of five years of work experience and demonstrate an increase in responsibilities over time. Development-related experience is preferred. Applicants should have at least a 3.0 US GPA (or equivalent) in college-level coursework and hold a bachelor’s degree. Prior coursework in economics and statistics is an advantage.
Applicants to the accelerated program must have at least five years of work experience and previous graduate-level training.
A complete application includes:
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- English Proficiency Test (required for non-native English speakers)
- Video Response
- $80 Application Fee
The application link goes live each August. Review the application timeline and process. Please keep in mind that MIDP accepts students in the Fall and the Spring.
Questions? Review our Admissions FAQ and watch Applying to Duke Sanford's MIDP Program.
Ready to get started? Open an application.
Have questions about applying to graduate school at the Sanford School of Public Policy? We've collected answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the application process here.
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"Sanford changed my mindset; it enabled me to think differently and deeper about development effectiveness and efficiency. The tools and skills I learned at Duke helped me build an international career." - Fabiola Rueda, MIDP’07
Featured MIDP Student Stories
Protecting the rainforest
Antonella DiCiano, MIDP'25
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For her master’s project, Antonella DiCiano MIDP'25 explored strategies to address illegal mining in the Amazon Basin. She spoke about her work at the 2024 World Economic Forum, and after graduation, Antonella will continue her work in the Amazon region.
Military cyber specialist
Lucas Vaughn, MIDP'25
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Prior to coming to Duke, Lucas Vaughan MIDP'25 served for 13 years in the U.S. Army. “Duke opened its doors to me – a cowboy turned soldier turned grad student soon to be cyber guy – and surrounded me with brilliant minds from across the globe," he says. Lucas was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after graduation where he will focus on cyber issues.
Alleviating poverty
Ye Khaung Oo, MIDP'25
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"My long-standing passion, rooted in my Myanmar heritage, has always been to address poverty and inequality in the Global South," says Ye Khaung Oo MIDP'25. Ye was displaced from Myanmar after the military coup of 2021. At Duke, he focused on public financial management and energy policy.
The Student Experience
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Apply to the MIDP Program
- Ready to supercharge your outrageous ambition? Start your application today!
- Review the Master's Programs application process
- Explore resources on how to fund your Sanford education
- Have a question? E-mail us: midpinfo@duke.edu
- Attend an admissions event
- Book a virtual meeting with the MIDP Director of Admission