Innovation in Global Development, PhD
Community, Culture, Environment, Future, Gender, Grassroots, Inclusive, Indigenous, Inequality, Innovation, Policy, Power, Social Entrepreneurship, Society, sustainability
Do you want to make an impact on issues facing humanity around the world? Are you interested in exploring an expansive view of the successes and failures of global development approaches? This degree can train you to reimagine pathways to future development to bring about transformative change in society.
The PhD program in innovation in global development emphasizes critical and diverse perspectives on global development and innovative policies and practices that challenge the status quo. This research-based program is both rigorous and flexible, designed to meet the needs of a diverse set of students committed to a vision of development that values context, inclusivity and equity and is socially, culturally and ecologically sensitive.
Students emerge from this program equipped with the comprehensive research capabilities, critical thinking skills, leadership skills and global perspectives that are needed to navigate complex development challenges in a way that reduces inequalities and builds a more sustainable and inclusive future.
- College/school:
College of Global Futures
- Location: Tempe
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (14 credit hours) Reading and Conference (3 credit hours) Electives or Research (55 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information For the Reading and Conference requirement, students must enroll in IGD 790 Topic: Dissertation Prospectus. Elective courses are chosen based on the student's area of interest and approval from their committee. Other electives may be used with approval of the academic unit. When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program may allow up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this program. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the remaining coursework is made up of electives and research.
IGD 601 Re-Thinking Global Development (4)
IGD 602 Innovation for Inclusive Development (4)
IGD 603 Methods for Research in Global Development (4)
IGD 604 Colloquium in Innovation in Global Development (2)
IGD 799 Dissertation (12)
Students are required to take IGD 604 once for two credits as a core course requirement. They may take it one additional time for two more credits that can be used toward electives.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Global Futures.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in anthropology, natural resource management, agriculture development, political science, development studies, economics, development management, rural development, technology and development, sociology, science and technology or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- letter of intent or written statement
- professional resume
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/15 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Demonstrated their ability to contribute to the body of knowledge around global development.
- Design a comprehensive research proposal, synthesize a literature review, and analyze datasets using appropriate methodology
- Identify and articulate the main theories, concepts and challenges in the field of global development in their historical and contemporary contexts, and apply them in an equitable and sustainable manner
- Communicate, orally and in writing, a well-developed research agenda that includes development themes, theories, policies and practices; methodology and analysis; and conclusions for positive changes in global development
Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the College of Global Futures Study Abroad webpage, and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for funding for international research, study and professional development through ASU's Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement.
The new generation of development scholars are competent in dealing with global development challenges with foresight and imagination that promote well-being and an equitable future for all. Professionals with expertise in global development are in high demand across a wide range of development agencies such as the World Bank, specialized agencies of the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, United States Agency for International Development and nongovernmental organizations.
Scholars with training in theories, concepts and debates in the field of global development are also in high demand by research institutions, think tanks, universities, development studies centers, multinational companies, foundations and governments.
Career examples include:
- development researcher
- global development consultant
- global development specialist
- government official
- leader in civil society organizations
- organization official
- poverty alleviation advocate
- professor
- program officer
School for the Future of Innovation in Society
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ISTBX 367B
sfisgrad@asu.edu
480-965-6584
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
