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International Development Certificate

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Advance Your Career and Make a Difference

Turn your passion for helping others into a successful future with the 100% online International Development graduate certificate from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. It offers a historical overview of international development, giving you the skills you need to excel as a practitioner in the field. This certificate is a part of Saint Mary’s Accelerators carefully crafted series of master's-level graduate certificates. Designed to advance your career to help you meet personal and professional goals, this program can be taken alone or you can apply your credits as a pathway toward a master's degree. Dr. Michelle Wieser, Dean of the School of Business and Technology conducted an interview to share the University's thoughts on the vision of the Accelerators and how they can, affordably, boost your career potential. Read the interview here. 

  • Duration: 1 year
  • Total Credits: 12
  • Cost-per-Credit: $660

Get the Skills You Need to Change the World

The online graduate certificate in International Development is designed for professionals seeking field-specific knowledge for careers in the international aid, humanitarian, and development sector, including multilateral aid organizations, government agencies, and more. This program is delivered in a flexible online format so you can study on your schedule and earn an affordable credential in two semesters or less.

You can also apply your credits toward one of our master's degrees:

Featuring a curriculum focused on real-world issues and current trends, this program provides a well-rounded introduction to the international development world. With the graduate certificate in international development, you can broaden your skills and prepare for a rewarding career.

Curriculum

The International Development graduate certificate from Saint Mary's offers training in social, political, and economic development theory and practice. The curriculum includes coursework in fundraising, organizational strategy, global trends, and more. You will learn from expert faculty who bring relevant experience to the online classroom.

This program includes 12 credits and is delivered in a flexible format. Graduates have the specific knowledge needed for nonprofit and NGO careers in a developing world context.

Certificate Courses

MID 600 International Development Environments (3 credits)

This course introduces the fundamentals of international development and analyzes the global environments in which this pursuit is conducted. It explores the history, evolving definitions, theories, management, and synergies of international development. The course also explores tools of information, policy, and sustainability. Additionally, an overview of legal, ethical, and cultural competency issues in international development are provided.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Analyze how international development theory and practice have evolved.
  2. Evaluate the elements of the global economy, which affect international development.
  3. Compare and contrast various economic theories.
  4. Assess how economic, political, and socio-cultural factors shape and influence international development objectives.
  5. Develop strategies to address the barriers to successful international development.
  6. Identify the ethical issues inherent in international development.
  7. Locate and assess the quality of relevant information, studies, and resources.

MID 615 Global Trends & Solutions in International Development (3 credits)

This course analyzes global trends and issues of current significance to which international development tools offer creative solutions. Topics range from emergency assistance, humanitarian intervention, refugee management, and poverty reduction to sustainable economic and social development, human rights, health, education, and the environment.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Analyze the significance of topics in the global context of the moment.
  2. Locate and analyze current information and research materials on ways in which international business and development can work together to create solutions to current problem areas.
  3. Analyze problem-solving approaches to issues from a variety of cultural, legal, ethical, economic, political, and other perspectives.

MID 620 International Financing Mechanisms (3 credits)

This course explores the fundamentals of international development finance policy and practice. It examines the potential of government contracts and such donor sources as multilateral development banks, bonds, loan guarantees, tax increment, tax credits, seed and venture capital, public finance, and microfinance. Funding opportunities through private foundations, corporations, and government, including federal, state, incentive, and grants programs are covered.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of fiscal policy and sources of capital.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to mobilize and manage financial and other sources of support from relevant constituencies.
  3. Research and identify diverse and relevant sources of international development funding.
  4. Develop a program funding plan.
  5. Create a compelling rationale for project funding.

MID 680 International Development Organizational Strategy (3 credits)

This course surveys the broad spectrum of international development through the lens of organizational strategy. It examines the diverse tools, strategies, and best practices of today’s international development organizations in implementing long-term sustainable solutions in developing countries. The course pays particular attention to strategic organizational management, theories and methods of program monitoring and evaluation, recent innovations in organizational approaches to empowering women, building local economies, and caring for the environment.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Evaluate the management challenges faced by today’s international development organizations.
  2. Implement strategic planning skills to ethically and practically affect outcomes.
  3. Identify and use ethical, culturally inclusive, and sustainable approaches to problem-solving.
  4. Apply multidisciplinary research methods to diagnose the key drivers and relevant obstacles of a situation.
  5. Analyze the leading theories and methods of program monitoring and evaluation.
  6. Create innovative solutions to international development problems in pattern-breaking, sustainable, and scalable ways.

Current Certificate Requirements

For current certificate requirements, visit the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota course catalog.

Program Outcomes

When you complete this program, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate the leading economic, social, and political development theories and practices.
  • Analyze current trends in sustainable development, humanitarian intervention, and poverty reduction.
  • Identify sources of funding and create a program funding plan and budget.
  • Evaluate and apply various methods of program monitoring and evaluation.

Career Outlook

The online International Development graduate certificate gives you the skills you need to make a positive impact with your career. When you complete your program, you will be qualified for a wide variety of non-profit, international aid, and public service roles.

The median salary for social and community services managers is $67,150 and job outlook is expected to grow 13% through 2028, faster than the national average.1 Fundraising managers are also in high demand and earn an average of $116,180 per year.2 A graduate certificate in international development from Saint Mary's can help you advance your career.

Certificate Completion

The online International Development graduate certificate is designed to be completed in just one year and is financial aid eligible. No prerequisite coursework is required, and you don't need GRE/GMAT scores to apply.

For admission to the program, you'll need:

  • An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
  • A written statement: Your personal background and future goals all impact your success with Saint Mary's and inform your education. As you prepare your written statement, think about including previous experiences, education, and your personal strengths and interests. Share your motivations for entering the online International Development Certificate program and how it will contribute to your career.
  • The names of two people (including title, organization, email, phone number) who can serve as professional references, if needed, during the application review process. The best references are those who know you in a professional capacity, such as current or former supervisors.
  • An up-to-date resume: Include both your educational and professional experience.

If your overall GPA is below 2.75, you may receive conditional status in the program at the discretion of the program director.

For more information about the online International Development Certificate, contact us or call 877-308-9954 to speak to an enrollment counselor.

Resources:

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm.

2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/public-relations-managers.htm.