Master of Public Administration - International Development Studies in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is a two-year program comprising sixteen courses, with students generally enrolling in four courses per semester over four terms. While the M.P.A. curriculum provides a foundational framework, each student tailors their academic journey by focusing on their specialized interests. Electives and research projects can be pursued across various university departments. Students choose from eight concentration areas: Environmental Policy, Economic and Financial Policy, Government, Politics, and Policy Studies, Human Rights and Social Justice, International Development Studies, Public and Non-Profit Management, Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy, and Social Policy.

At Cornell's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, students examine policy and management through an interdisciplinary lens. The program explores the political mechanisms behind policy formation, the economic rationale for government intervention in markets, and the comparative historical framework of public programs. Coursework covers public finance, regulatory systems, organizational behavior, and management strategies. Students also develop analytical skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods while cultivating awareness of ethical considerations in policymaking.

M.P.A. candidates complete summer internships in their chosen specialization between their first and second years. The program culminates with a professional writing requirement, which may take the form of a research thesis, an internship-based report, or the MPA Capstone project.

Those focusing on International Development Studies examine policy creation and implementation in developing nations. This concentration provides insight into the complex decision-making environments of global development, drawing from multiple disciplines including anthropology, economics, urban planning, sociology, biotechnology, and legal studies.