Accelerated Track
Each year the Sustainable International Development program receives inquiries and applications from mid-career development practitioners who have substantial professional experience. For these applicants, the program's second year requirement that students obtain practical experience through an internship or advanced study is not always beneficial.
The Accelerated Track SID Master's Program exempts a select group of advanced development practitioners from the Second-Year Project. Instead, these students participate in a more rigorous course of study during their Year-in-Residence.
Accelerated Track students commence their studies with all other incoming students in late August and fulfill all course requirements during the course of one academic year. Accelerated Track students write a Master's Paper during the summer term following their Year-in-Residence that applies development theory and skills to solving a real development problem recently encountered in their professional work. Students propose the topic for their Paper as part of their application to the program.
Students matriculated in the two-year M.A. may not petition to switch to the Accelerated Track. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be accepted to the Accelerated Track:
- Five or more years of experience that includes both implementation and management
- Outstanding recommendations from supervisors
- Strong undergraduate record
- Above average oral and written English skills as evidenced by TOEFL scores for international applicants
