International development policy requires a solid foundation of knowledge about development challenges and experiences, the ability to apply a wide range of evaluative and analytical tools, an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, and effective communication skills. Sanford faculty have active field research projects and expertise in economics, environmental engineering, political science, evaluation methods, migration, and many other applied areas.
Academic Overview
Jonathan Stromseth (left), professor of the practice at Duke Sanford and a nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institution, researches U.S. Asia policy in the context of escalating U.S.-China rivalry, particularly in Southeast Asia. His publications include a multi-volume series on U.S.-Vietnam relations, as well as articles and reports on policymaking in Vietnam, geopolitical trends in Southeast Asia, Chinese foreign policy, and foreign aid cooperation in Asia.
Related Programs & Courses
The Public Policy Studies major is a perennial top major at Duke University.
- Master of International Development Policy (MIDP)
- MPP (International Development Policy certificate available) - view concentration requirements
The Duke Center for International Development (DCID) offers on-campus and online training programs for mid-level and senior professionals in areas such as public finance, budgeting, project appraisal and tax policy.
PhD in Public Policy
Graduate and professional students from across Duke, as well as neighboring inter-institutional partners, are invited to complement their degree coursework with a graduate International Development Policy (IDP) certificate offered by the Duke Center for International Development.
Explore key faculty in International Development policy.
Sample Stories & Research
Student Feature
In his home country of Myanmar, Ye Khaung Oo worked at a policy think tank leading public financial management and governance reform initiatives for the subnational governments until the military coup of 2021. After the coup, he relocated to Singapore. Seeking to better prepare himself for a career in poverty alleviation, Ye enrolled in the MIDP program. Beyond core international development courses, he took public financial management classes and studied energy policy through the Nicholas School of the Environment and Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability.
Faculty Spotlight
Hannah Postel is a social demographer focused on migration. Her research investigates migration in the U.S, and the Global South. Postel says Sanford values and actively encourages interdisciplinary research. Sanford's unique blend of international development, demography, and migration studies aligns perfectly with her research interests and professional goals. Postel’s research aims to shift the narrative around migration, emphasizing its role as a fundamental aspect of human existence and advocating for policies that harness its benefits rather than attempting to curb it.
Sample Class
"While I’ve genuinely enjoyed all my classes in the MIDP program, Policy Analysis of Development with Prof. Natalia Mirovitskaya stands out as a favorite," says Livia Hoxha MIDP'25. "Before the course, I tended to approach development challenges with a focus mainly on good intentions and broad ideas. After the course, my thinking shifted to a more evidence-based and structured mindset, where every recommendation needs to be backed by causal analysis, measurable outcomes and a deep understanding of local context. Before coming to Duke, Livia worked in Albania’s Ministry of Finance and Economy.
Research Focus: Climate and Sustainability
The Duke Center for Inaternational Development conducts research to improve understanding of major sustainability challenges. Those include mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, as well as management of energy, water, forests, and most generally ecosystem services and their connections to sustainable development. Their work is informed by interactions with policymakers and other practitioners on the ground in order to generate research, training, and outreach that is applied and interdisciplinary. They have collaborated closely with multi-lateral agencies, NGOs, governments, and local academics in numerous countries.
What can you do with a focus on international development policy?
Bautista Logioco MIDP ' 04
Alumni Story
Bautista Logioco graduated in 2004 from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University with a Master of International Development (MIDP) degree. Since then he has had a variety of international roles at the United Nations, including the World Food Programme, UN Women and the UN Development Program.
Key Partnerships
Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research
The Center's mission is to improve health of individuals and communities, locally, nationally, and internationally, by addressing health inequities through interdisciplinary policy-relevant research, interventions, and evaluations.
Duke Center for International Development
The Duke Center for International Development (DCID) promotes sustainable development through its research, education and engagement with students, policy makers, practitioners, development partners, civil society and the private sector.
Duke Global Health Institute
Duke Global Health Institute aims to achieve health equity for vulnerable groups and individuals around the world through research, education and partnership.
Duke Population Research Institute
The Duke University Population Research Institute (DUPRI) is a community of scholars who challenge the boundaries of interdisciplinary population research with cutting edge approaches to prepare the next generation of leaders in population science.
Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center
The Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center promotes peace through a holistic approach to training by combining conflict resolution methods, peacebuilding and conflict prevention with an emphasis on more sustainable economic, political and human development.
Let's Connect!
Interested in pursuing a degree with a focus on international development policy? Great! The admissions page for each program has detailed guidelines, including our contact info. Please reach out!
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