University Process

UNSG_with_Columbia_studentsThe Global Association of Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) programs refers to all academic degree programs that have developed programs with an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable development practice. There is one level of membership within the Association— Partners .

  • Partners are degree programs that are anchored in an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach to teaching and learning about sustainable development.  They are not confined solely to the traditional four pillars of the MDP (natural, social health and management sciences.)

Learn about the benefits that come with joining here.

To be considered for PARTNER status, please submit to the MDP Secretariat a short narrative (no more than 500 words) with the following information:

  • Background information on sustainable development practice at your academic institution and on the interest in joining the Global Association.
  • Details on the participating student body; student prerequisites; faculty supervision and advising; and MDP degree program management and organizational structure.
  • A link to the MDP Curriculum, with names of courses, descriptions, and notation of each course.
  • Description of the hands-on MDP experiential field practicum.  Please note that the proposed field trainings should be cross-sectoral/cross-disciplinary.

Once an application is received, membership into the Global Association of MDP programs will depend on the review and approval by the MDP Academic Steering Committee members and the MDP Secretariat.

A membership fee is charged to all university members of the Global Association of MDP programs.

For more information on the Global Association of MDP programs, please contact the MDP Secretariat.