TCD-UCD Masters in Development Practice

Masters in Development Practice

• Course Description
• Course Modules
• Field work
• Entrance Requirements, Applications and Closing Date
• Further Information
• Staff Vacancies
• Current Students projects
• Funding Opportunities

We are now accepting applications for September 2013. Further details on the admissions process can be found at here. We strongly encourage applicants to contact mdpdub@tcd.ie or mdpdub@ucd.ie to notify us of intent to apply and for any support with the applications process and requirements.

Course Description

The joint TCD-UCD Masters degree in Development Practice (MDP) is a new two-year programme that offers a world class training and education in development practice at graduate level.

The Masters in Development Practice will develop the core competencies required by practitioners in international development. The programme combines a range of teaching and learning approaches and mechanisms in the seminar room and in the field, and brings to bear expertise from both academics and practitioners. This approach will develop capabilities and capacities in students so that they can understand the theories, practices and languages of different specialities. The four pillars of the MDP are Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Economics, Management and Health Sciences. Particular emphasis will be laid upon the interconnectedness between politics, governance, civil society, health, environmental conflict and climate change, amongst others. This will enable students to visualise, design and implement collaborative sustainable development solutions and work flexibly as development practitioners across a variety of contexts.

The Masters in Development Practice (MDP) is funded by the MacArthur Foundation (U.S.A.) and is part of a global network of Masters degrees in Development Practice, headquartered at Columbia University in the United States. The MDP will be delivered jointly by TCD and UCD in collaboration with the National University of Rwanda, The Mary Robinson Climate Justice Foundation, and a wide number of national and international organisations with specialist skills in development practice. Students will be jointly registered at TCD and UCD.  The National University of Rwanda is a key partner and students will spend a portion of time completing cross-disciplinary fieldwork in Rwanda as well as undertaking internships in leading international organisations (more information on fieldwork below).

A wide variety of careers will be open to graduates from this programme in overseas development assistance for public, private and non-governmental organizations. It is envisaged that the programme will also attract active professionals already working in these fields who wish to strengthen their qualifications.

Interview with Mary Robinson

Former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and current President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative and Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin, Mary Robinson, speaks about the TCD-UCD Masters in Development Practice. Click here to view (External link)

Visit to Rwanda by TCD Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast

Click here to view a video on the Provosts trip to Rwanda.

Interview with Patrick Paul Walsh

An interview with Patrick Paul Walsh Course Director of the TCD-UCD Master's in Development Practice (MDP) program can be seen here at this link.

TCD-UCD MDP students meet with the President of Rwanda

Click here to view more information of this.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University with Professors Paul Walsh and Pádraig Carmody of the TCD-UCD MDP at the Global MDP Summit, Bangladesh 2012