Development Studies BRAC University

Overview

The 21st century world is profoundly shaped by the disruptive forces of globalization, urbanization, climate change and technological transformation. In this world, the development puzzle can only be solved from a multidisciplinary angle, which is a core MDS feature.

The BIGD enriches the Development Studies program curriculum by bringing in the practical know-how of using research for effective development, and using its strategic relationship with BRAC, the unique “BRAC experience” of achieving development excellence.

Program Highlights

• A two-year program (45 credits) that focuses on providing students with a solid grounding in the theoretical and empirical aspects of development.
• The program offers a truly interdisciplinary approach to development, covering topics such as poverty, sustainable development, gender and governance.
• The program has a strong research focus, a unique feature of MDS at BIGD, with courses on both theories and quantitative and qualitative research methods. It offers a dissertation track, which allows students to gain practical research experience under the close supervision of faculty members.
• Graduates of the MDS program have gone on to work in organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, and international NGOs, as well as in research and academia.
• The students will be part of the privileged MDS network -- influential development scholars as faculty members and the strong alumni -- with many in leadership positions in national and international institutions.  
• Students will have access to BRAC University's state-of-the-art facilities including computer labs, library and research centers.