Program Overview

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Innovation in Global Development, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy 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.

Program Description

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.

At a Glance

• College/school: College of Global Futures
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Concurrent Program Options

Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.

This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:

• Global Leadership and Management, DPP

Degree Requirements

• 84 credit hours
• A written comprehensive exam
• An oral comprehensive exam
• A prospectus
• A dissertation

Required Core (14 credit hours)

• 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)

Reading and Conference (3 credit hours)

Electives or Research (55 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)

• IGD 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information

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.

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.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• 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:
  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. letter of intent or written statement
  4. professional resume
  5. three letters of recommendation
  6. proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: December 1 (Final)

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Demonstrated their ability to contribute to the body of knowledge around global development.
• 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
• Design a comprehensive research proposal, synthesize a literature review, and analyze datasets using appropriate methodology
• 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

Global Opportunities

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.

Career Opportunities

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