M.A. in International Development
Admissions Procedures
Applicants for the M.A. in International Development must complete the application procedures and meet the requirements for graduate study at Gallaudet University. Visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information and a checklist of application requirements. The International Development program has additional application requirements which are the following:
- A basic understanding of economics is necessary to complete coursework in economic development, micro- and macropolitics. Therefore, students must pass an introductory course in economics either prior to entering the IDMA Program or in the first semester of study.
- Gallaudet University is a bilingual university with coursework and other campus activities conducted in ASL and English. Therefore, the IDMA requires demonstrated proficiency in academic ASL and academic English in order to be admitted and to graduate.
- The ability to communicate across differing language and cultural ecologies is a distinguishing and expected skill of international development professionals. Therefore, ability in signing, reading and writing, another language is required for graduation. Students must achieve a grade B or above in one university or community-based language course with instruction in a language other than ASL or English.
- Course lectures and other activities and events are conducted in academic ASL. Therefore, prospective IDMA applicants are required to demonstrate the ability to participate in discussions conducted in ASL in a classroom setting. Each applicant must provide videotaped responses to two provided by the IDMA program (related to graduate study and professional practice in the International Development field).
- Three current letters of recommendation.
- An interview with the Department
- An English writing sample (e.g., graduate school goals statement, samples of academic or technical writing).
| DEADLINE |
DATE |
| First Date for Consideration of Application: |
No Set Date |
| Last Date for Completed Application: |
No Set Date |
Program Specific Requirements
- A basic understanding of economics is necessary to complete coursework in Economic Development and Micropolitics. Therefore applicants must have passed an introductory course in economics.
- The ability to communicate across cultures in more than one language is both a distinguishing and expected skill of the international development professional. Therefore, novice ability in reading and writing another language or willingness to obtain novice ability in the first year.
- A videotaped response in American Sign Language to one of two questions asked by the department for review to demonstrate the ability to participate in discussion in a classroom setting.
- Three current letters of recommendation
- Interview with the Department
- To satisfy the IDMA Program's requirements for graduation, candidates must take the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) and earn a score of 2+ or above prior to or during their final semester of graduate studies. If a candidate for graduation does not receive the requisite rating on the ASLPI by this timeline, the student can request an Alternative Assessment via the IDMA Program’s Multiple Measures Review.
Plan of Study
Year One - Fall
| GOV 791 | International Relations and Development | 3 |
| IDP 770 | Introduction to International Development | 3 |
| IDP 772 | Micropolitics of International Development | 3 |
| IDP 779 | Professional Seminar for International Development I | 1 |
| MPA | Elective | 3 |
MPA elective: or equivalent course as approved by academic advisor
Year One - Spring
| ECO 714 | Economic Development | 3 |
| IDP 771 | International Development with Deaf People and People with Disabilities: Language and Inequality | 3 |
| IDP 775 | Project Design and Implementation for Social Change | 3 |
| MPA | Elective | 3 |
MPA elective: or equivalent course as approved by academic advisor
Year Two - Fall
| IDP 773 | Macropolitical Intersections of Race, Gender, Sexuality and Development | 3 |
| IDP 774 | Program Development and Evaluation for Social Change | 3 |
| IDP 776 | Research Methods and Ethics for International Development | 3 |
| IDP 780 | Supervised Practicum for Master of Arts Degree in International Development | 3 |
Year Two - Spring
| IDP 781 | Supervised Internship for Master of Arts Degree in International Development | 6 |
| IDP 782 | Professional Seminar for International Development II | 1 |
| MPA | Elective | 3 |
MPA elective: or equivalent course as approved by academic advisor
Total Credit Hours: 47
Total Credit Hours: 47
Program Outcomes
1. Students will engage in critical study of international development theories and methods with an emphasis on collaborative advocacy, program and project development, and research to address social inequalities and promote social justice efforts pursued by Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities and people with disabilities.
2. Students will evaluate existing laws, policies, and programming in relation to international development agendas to examine intersections between sociocultural features, language, political and economic structures and forces; conduct situation analyses to identify factors that influence the design and implementation of projects and programs; and develop a plan for monitoring and evaluation taking into consideration both internationally recognized standards and local/national context.
3. Students will demonstrate their understanding of how national and international development assistance networks and international relations impact the sociocultural, political, and economic conditions of local communities, regions, and countries.
4. Students will design and carry out projects that demonstrate their understanding of the sociopolitical and socioeconomic dimensions of language usage, rights, programming, and/or policy with an emphasis on understanding the barriers and opportunities that specific communities’ encounter, especially with respect to use of signed languages.
5. Through practical experience (practicum, internship, conferences, professional networking), students will apply international development theories and methods to promote the participation and leadership of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people, and people with disabilities, within organizational structures and activities, as well as related professional networks.