Program Overview
Sustainable development is increasingly critical in a shrinking world, requiring practitioners able to wield an interdisciplinary skill set and philosophy. Through the Global Development Practice Master’s Degree Program, you’ll:
- Develop a holistic understanding of human health risks, socio-ecological system dynamics, technological innovations, and economic approaches to advance sustainable development.
- Identify and challenge assumptions, seek alternatives, determine solutions, and engage organizations to think and behave differently.
- Leverage local knowledge within a global context.
- Learn with and from a global network of development professionals.
- Graduate with a Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in the field of Global Development Practice.
Harvard Extension School is a member of the Global Association of Master in Development Practice and meets the association’s standard of core development practice competencies. Our program is one of the only MDP programs in North America to offer a primarily online curriculum.
Courses
The 12-course Global Development Practice Graduate Program is designed to help you develop practical skills that you can apply immediately in your career. Study part time, choosing courses that fit your schedule and align with your learning goals. You’ll complete core foundation courses on theory and practice, explore a wide variety of topics through elective courses, and complete a capstone project.
Example Courses
- Global Development Theory and Practice
- The Economic Foundations of Global Development
- Food and Greed: Implications for Human Health and Sustainability
- Water Crises and Solutions: Engaging Science and Social Science to Develop Sustainable Solutions
- Sustainable Cities
- Development Finance Institutions
Stackable Certificates
As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate certificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn more professional credentials.
Stackable graduate certificates include:
Admissions
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program. You’ll earn your way in through our performance-based admissions, completing coursework for admission and earning credits toward your degree right away. Alternatively, you can pursue the MITx MicroMasters® Program Admission Pathway.
Next Start Term
You can enroll in your first admission course this fall. Course registration opens July 21.
Featured Faculty
Our global development practice instructors bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Alexander Puutio
Senior Expert, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations
Michael Mortimer
Director, Graduate Sustainability Program and Global Development Practice, Harvard Extension School
Nora Libertun
Head of Knowledge in Urban Development and Housing, Inter-American Development Bank
Laurence Simon
Professor of International Development and Director of the Center for Global Development and Sustainability, Brandeis University
Omid Parhizkar
Sustainable Development Professional and Operations Officer, Global Environment Facility, The World Bank Group
Carol Franco
Vice-Chair, Subsidiary Body for Science and Technological Advice (UNFCCC), Advisor for Nature-Based Solutions (Dominican Republic).
Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes
Graduates of our Global Development Practice Master’s Program work in a variety of roles and organizations.
Sample Alumni Job Titles
- Community Agribusiness Advisor
- Director of Strategic Development
- Financial Leadership Development Program Analyst
- Project Engineer
- Research Analyst
Sample Alumni Employers
- Peace Corps
- Manna Project International
- Feinstein Institute for Public Service
- The Leap Agency
- Santander Bank
HES reinforced my growth mindset, instilling resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to lifelong learning. It was a transformative experience that shaped my leadership, advocacy, and ability to drive meaningful change.
Master of Liberal Arts in the field of Global Development Practice, '23
Program Benefits
Experience a rigorous curriculum. 100% of recent graduates would recommend the program.
Access career advising and other services through Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success, including career fairs like the All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair.
Explore entrepreneurial opportunities through the Harvard Innovation Labs.
Engage in a global peer community, including the Global Development Practice Club.
Become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
Tuition & Financial Aid
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
FAQs
What is Global Development Practice?
Professionals in this space tackle challenges affecting human livelihoods, prosperity, and dignity globally. They may tackle issues of access and inequality, particularly in developing countries. They develop and implement strategies and solutions to improve agriculture, education and literacy, access to water and sanitation, governance, human rights, communication technology, safety, security, and humanitarian assistance.
What Is A Master’s Degree In Development Practice?
Master’s degree programs in global development practice, or development practice, involve an interdisciplinary approach to addressing challenges in sustainable development. The program is designed for development practitioners, policy administrators, educators, not-for-profit leaders, and private sector professionals tasked with addressing sustainable development problems.
The Harvard Extension School graduate program meets the Global Association of Master in Development Practice’s standard of core development practice competencies.
To understand the differences between sustainability and global development, read Sustainability vs. Global Development Practice — Which One is Right for You?.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Global Development Practice Graduate Program?
Program length is typically between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.
For an accelerated journey, we offer year-round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.
While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.
