Are you ready to confront today’s most urgent policy challenges and develop the strategic thinking and analytical skills needed to shape effective and equitable public solutions?
Scroll Down
The Master of Development Policy (MDP) program aims to cultivate both
international and domestic professionals with the expertise to design and implement
development strategies in developing countries. The program also seeks to nurture
experts who can contribute to strengthening development cooperation between Korea and
its partner countries. Through the curriculum, students are expected to build a solid
foundation in development economics, develop a comprehensive understanding of the
economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of development, and acquire
valuable insights and lessons from Korea’s development experiences. Required courses
include Introduction to Development Policy (IDP) and Quantitative Methods (QM), while
students have the option to specialize in Sustainable Development (SD) or International
Development (ID) to deepen their knowledge and expertise.
All programs require students to complete a minimum of 39 credits, which includes a
3-credit research project. KDI School operates on a trimester system, allowing full-time
students to graduate in approximately 1.5 years, while part-time students typically
finish their studies in about 2 years. Each program is designed, run, and evaluated
according to the five core competencies established by NASPAA (Network of Schools of
Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration), along with program-specific Student
Learning Outcomes (SLOs). The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect feedback from
current students, alumni, and partner institutions, ensuring a demand-driven structure.
In addition, students intending to pursue doctoral studies may have the opportunity to
enroll in Ph.D.-level courses, subject to approval and guidance from their advisors.
Program Specific Concentrations
Sustainable Development
As one of the key concentrations within the Master of Development Policy (MDP) program, Sustainable Development focuses on the interconnectedness of economic growth, human development, and environmental sustainability. Today’s development practitioners are expected to balance these priorities and address complex, long-term challenges that affect both people and the planet.
Students in this concentration explore a broad range of issues, including poverty, labor, education, healthcare, population dynamics, human rights, and social change. In parallel, the curriculum also addresses the economic and environmental dimensions of development—such as productivity, macroeconomics, technology, project evaluation, energy, and environmental policy.
Through this integrated approach, the Sustainable Development track helps students gain the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement development strategies that are both inclusive and future-oriented.
This concentration is particularly relevant for mid-career professionals and aspiring practitioners in the public sector, international organizations, and NGOs working in the fields of human development, social policy, and sustainable growth.
- Analysis of Education Policy in Comparative Perspectives
- Dispute Resolution and Negotiation
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- FinTech and Financial Regulations
- Foundations of Sustainable Development
- Gender and Development
- Global Health and Development
- Human Capital and Economic Development
- ICT for SDGs
- Impact evaluation methods
- Input/Output Analysis
- Korean Human Development
- Korea's Social Policy in Economic Development
- Labor Economics and Public Policy
- Land Policy
- Macroeconomic Policy
- Managing and Implementing Sustainable Development
- Mind, Behavior and Public Policy
- Participatory Governance in Public Decision Making
- Policies on Climate Change
- Population and Development
- Productivity and Economic Growth
- Real Estate Finance and Public Policy
- Regional Development and Public Policy
- Science and Technology Policy
- Social Development and Policy
- State Fragility and Development Policy
- Sustainable Energy Policy
- The United Nations and Sustainable Development
- Topics in Political Economy of Development
- Urban Transportation Policy
International Development
Within the Master of Development Policy (MDP) program, the International Development concentration explores how international economic and diplomatic strategies can be aligned with development goals. In an increasingly interconnected world, public sector leaders must understand both global dynamics and regional contexts to shape effective, forward-looking policies.
This concentration provides students with the theoretical foundations and practical tools to navigate key global development issues such as Official Development Assistance (ODA), trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), international finance, and the operations of international organizations. It also emphasizes the importance of regional perspectives through country and area studies.
Students gain the analytical skills and contextual understanding necessary to engage in policy work that spans borders and sectors. The concentration is well-suited for mid-career professionals and aspiring experts seeking to work in public institutions, NGOs, international organizations, or trade-related roles in the private sector.
- Competition, Innovation and Firm Dynamics
- Current Trade Issues
- Democracy, Political Mobilization and Economic Development: Korea’s Experience
- FDI Marketing & Promotion
- G20 and Global Governance
- Institutional Reform in Developing Countries
- International Financial Management
- International Financial Policy
- Issues and Analysis of Global Civil Society
- Korean Economic Development
- Public Management for International Development
- The United Nations and Global Affairs
- Theory and Policy of International Trade
- Topics in North Korean Economy
- Topics on Chinese Economy
- Trade and Development
- Trade Law and Policy in Practice
- Understanding the World Trading System
Graduation Requirements
| Category | MDP |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | Requirement : 6 credits(2 courses) |
|
|
| 1st Concentration | Requirement: at least 9 credits (3 courses) from 1 concentration (Mandatory) |
|
|
| 2nd Concentration | Elective: up to 9 credits (3 courses) from 1 concentration (Optional) |
|
|
| Research Project | Requirement |
|
|
| Language | Requirement |
|
※ Total Minimum 39 credits
- KOICA, GKS, G20 and K-water, follow their own graduation requirements.
Graduation Date
Spring
End of May
Summer
End of August
Fall
Commencement or
January 31st
※ If you take any courses during the fall semester, you will graduate on January 31st (not in December)
Ceremony
Completion Ceremony
- Requirements: Enrolled students in a Masters degree, meet minimum credits requirements inclusive of the courses being taken currently.
- Date: August, December (Refer to the academic calendar of each year)
- Certificate of Coursework Completion will be awarded at the Completion Ceremony.
* Certificate of Coursework Completion is different from Certificate of Completion (Certificate of Completion is issued to students who have completed the minimum required semesters but have not yet graduated)
- Students will be invited to the completion ceremony only once
Commencement
- Requirements: Enrolled and Completed students in Ph.D. and Masters degree having met all graduation requirements
- Date: December (Refer to the academic calendar of each year)
- Diploma will be awarded only once at the Commencement