On average, MSDM has a cohort size of 13
studentsMonitoring and Evaluating Development Projects

Sarah Cantos Kline, SIS/MS ‘16
I wanted to enhance my skills as a program manager.
After serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Northern Thailand, I pursued a degree in Development Management to continue my education as an international development professional. Under the MSDM program, I worked with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights on a practicum that focused on budget management and project evaluation. I now support grants management and contract administration activities for the US Trade and Development Agency’s Office of Program Monitoring and Evaluation.
Top employers: Booz Allen Hamilton, Chemonics International, Global Fairness Initiative, and ICMA
More than $4,000
of funding available to IDP students for research & fellowshipsFrequently Asked Questions
When should I apply and when are the application deadlines?
When you should apply to the program depends on what semester you want to start taking classes in and whether you are a domestic or international student.
Application deadlines for an MA in International Development are as follows:
- Fall semester: January 15
- Spring semester: October 1
View required application materials
Missed a deadline but still interested in applying? Email the SIS Graduate Admissions office.
Where will a degree in Development Management take me?
Graduates of the MS in Development Management go on to careers that utilize facilitation and management skills to improve lives. They become project managers for global businesses and NGOs, conduct monitoring and evaluation for private and government agencies, and work directly with individuals to improve communities around the world.
Looking for more information or help? SIS has a dedicated career development center to assist current students and alumni.
Is there financial assistance available?
The School of International Service offers merit-based aid in the form of scholarships and fellowships at the time of admission.
Financial aid information for prospective students
Currents students pursuing their MA have several fellowships and awards available to them to help offset the cost of their education and take advantage of additional academic opportunities.
Need-based aid is available through AU Central Office and generally takes the form of a federal low-interest loan package.
Federal loan and work study information for graduate students
What is the difference between MAID and MSDM?
The difference between the MA in International Development (MAID) and the MS in Development Management (MSDM) is each degree’s focus on facilitating and managing change versus its focus on theories and definitions of international development. The MAID provides professional preparation in development politics, research, economics, and theories, while the MSDM—the only MS at SIS—provides applied and innovative management skills and requires a minimum of two years professional experience to apply.
Both MAID and MSDM require the completion of a capstone project. MAID students may choose to pursue a Practicum in International Affairs, Thesis, or Substantial Research Project (SRP). MSDM students complete a 6-credit self-designed Management Practicum that gives students hands-on management experience in a real-world setting.
Still have questions? Send us an email with program-specific questions at idpsis@american.edu