Master's in Development Practice, Emory University

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Master's in Development Practice, Emory University

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The Emory Master's in Development Practice is a 2-year, multidisciplinary degree program committed to preparing a new generation of development leaders.

In the face of global poverty, political and ethnic conflict, a degrading natural resource base, and irreversible climate change, the goal of achieving sustainable development represents the most pressing challenge of our time. Emory's MDP program is an intensive, two-year course of study and practice that prepares leaders to meet this challenge. The Emory MDP prepares students to combine an understanding of the multi-dimensional causes of poverty with the practical skills needed to address them. Our curriculum includes rigorous engagement with core academic disciplines, field experience alongside seasoned development practitioners, and hands-on training in crucial technical skills. Learn more about the Emory MDP curriculum on our website: http://web.gs.emory.edu/mdp/curriculum/index.html

In addition to the academic resources of a major research university, Emory's MDP program draws on its partnerships with established international development and research organizations, including CARE, The Carter Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our global network of partners includes humanitarian organizations, research centers, government agencies and grassroots movements. These partners provide Emory MDP students with the opportunity to work with leading institutions in the field of sustainable development worldwide, and in a wide range of institutional settings. Learn more about our partner organizations here: http://web.gs.emory.edu/mdp/partners/index.html

Learn more about our approach to education for sustainable development practice, and meet Emory MDP Director Dr. David Nugent, in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=de5hDBFjPCA

10/07/2026

What do MDP students actually do in their practicums? 👀

A big part of Emory MDP is applying what students learn in the classroom to real organizational challenges.

That can mean...
- Supporting monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) by reviewing tools, analyzing program data, documenting lessons learned, and helping with interviews, focus groups, or stakeholder consultations
- Contributing to fundraising strategy, including research on philanthropic cultures, donor behavior, and approaches to building long-term relationships across regions
- Developing communications and multimedia materials to support initiatives such as organic cocoa production in Liberia
- Building skills in research, program management, data analysis, partnership-building, communications, and strategy along the way

Practicums give students the chance to contribute to real projects while developing experience they can carry into future roles. 🌍

Want to learn more about MDP and how the practicum works?

Join us for our next virtual information session:
📅 October 12
💻 Virtual
🔗 Register in stories

10/01/2026

On October 21, 2026 at 4:30 PM, Emory MDP welcomes Nicholas Enrich, author of the New York Times bestseller “Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower’s Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID.”

Enrich is a former USAID civil servant who worked across four administrations and served as the agency’s acting assistant administrator for global health. His book offers a firsthand account of the events surrounding USAID’s dismantling in 2025, drawing on his experience inside the agency and the whistleblower memos he released during that period.

The discussion will explore public service, whistleblowing, foreign assistance, global health, and the challenges facing government institutions during periods of profound political change.

We hope to see you there!

09/30/2026

What does “practice” mean in Development Practice? 👀

At Emory MDP, it means learning by doing.
Students combine interdisciplinary coursework with real-world experience through practicums and professional opportunities in Atlanta, across the U.S., and internationally. 🌍

That might look like helping a local Atlanta nonprofit develop a fundraising strategy, supporting monitoring and evaluation work with an international NGO in West Africa, or contributing to research and communications for a fair trade company.

Along the way, students build practical skills in areas like program management, research, evaluation, partnership-building, and community engagement.

Want to learn more about how the program works?
Join us for our next virtual information session:
📅 October 12
💻 Virtual
🔗Link to register in story

09/29/2026

Big news from Emory MDP! 🎉

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Melissa Hackman into her new role as our Assistant Director! 💫

Many of you already know Melissa from her work as MDP’s Program Administrator. She also brings years of experience as a scholar and educator, deep knowledge of Emory and MDP, and a wealth of expertise in research, teaching, and program development. 🎓

In her new role, Melissa will support curriculum development and teaching, program strategy, recruitment, and communications. 📚

We’re so lucky to have Melissa on the MDP team and excited for all she’ll bring to the program. Please join us in welcoming her to her new role! 👏

09/19/2026

📢 Admissions Now Open: Emory Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) 🚀

Emory MDP is excited to announce that admissions for the 2027-28 academic year are now open! Prospective applicants are invited to attend informational webinars to learn more about the program and ask questions. Sessions will be held on:

📅 September 10 at 11AM EST
📅 October 12 at 2PM EST
📅 November 6 at 9AM EST
📅 December 3 at 10AM EST

Please note that the application fee is waived for certain categories of applicants, including citizens of low and middle-income countries and candidates for certain partnership programs (see Application Guidelines on our website). 🎓

Apply now to join our global community of development practitioners! 🌍💫

09/15/2026

💡 Interested in learning more about Emory Master’s in Development Practice? We’re planning an in-person information session on campus on September 24 at 5:30 p.m.

✅ Come and learn about the curriculum, practicum experiences, career pathways, scholarships, and admissions. Bring your questions about the program!

➡️ Register through Handshake - link in story.

09/14/2026

After a summer of hands-on experience, we are excited to welcome Emory MDP students back to campus! 📣

Check out our domestic practicum spotlights and let’s celebrate these outstanding development professionals in the making in the comments below:

🔷 Sameen Ahmed: Heifer International
🔷 Saoulkie Bertin: Fonkoze Foundation
🔷 Emily Broussard: The Carter Center
🔷 Yu-Fen Chuang: Heifer International
🔷 Mariana Cubillos: Hillman Associates LLC
🔷 Jon Hamilton: Emory Hatchery
🔷 Munira Hirwani: ECCC
🔷 Hannah Jose: UNDP
🔷 Mohammed Kenneh: Hillman Associates LLC
🔷 Sandra Kotoka: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Georgia
🔷 Samuel “Sam” Okorie: IEDC
🔷 Blessing Sakhala: Hillman Associates LLC
🔷 Meleanitema (Tema) Sapoi-Finau: CERENE
🔷 Shahnooz Shahnooz: CARE, USA
🔷 Tatenda Tagutanazvo: The Carter Center
🔷 Pedro Viloria: Latino Community Fund Georgia

We’re proud of our students for applying their acquired skills and realizing lasting impacts in real-world contexts! 👏

09/01/2026

What can you do with a Master’s in Development Practice? 💭

Our graduates work in nonprofits, public agencies, and other mission-driven organizations in Atlanta, across the U.S., and internationally. 🏙️ 🌎

Through hands-on experience in MDP, students build a broad skill set that prepares them for leadership roles. They develop skills in program management, monitoring and evaluation, community engagement, communications, partnership-building, and more. ✍️

Graduates work on issues including climate and the environment, community development, economic empowerment, human rights, migration, and disaster response. 💡

Join us for a virtual info session:

September 10 | 11AM ET

➡️ Register today at the link in the story.

08/27/2026

What is MDP? 💡

If you want to work on complex social and environmental challenges, MDP gives you the skills to do that work across sectors and disciplines. 🌐

MDP students learn about topics like climate and the environment, community development, public health, economic empowerment, and human rights. MDP is interdisciplinary, with coursework in social sciences, environmental sciences, health sciences, and management sciences. 📝

MDP prepares students for careers in local and global development. Our graduates work at nonprofit organizations, government agencies, consulting firms, universities, and the private sector. 💼

Join us for a virtual info session:

September 10 | 11AM ET

➡️ Register today at the link in the story.

08/26/2026

Today marks the start of a new academic year for our MDP students! 🎉

We are excited to welcome back our newly minted second-year students as they return from their practicums across the globe (Class of 2027), as well as our incoming cohort (Class of 2028) — a dynamic group of students from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences to our program. 🌎

Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and learning together! 💡

Address

1599 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA
30322

Website

http://www.emory.edu/mdp

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