The International Development Doctoral Program is dedicated to examining the related fields of International Development from an interdisciplinary perspective while providing our students with exceptional research, analytical and writing skills.

Our distinguished faculty members have a complementary range of academic disciplines, including economics, geography, history, international studies and political science.  Their talents are reflected in a curriculum and research teams of Economic Development, Political Development/Security Studies and Social/Cultural Development.
We have a diverse student body whose membership is drawn from across the United States and the world. It includes students from colleges and universities, the military, private sector, public sectors and the non-profit and non-governmental sector. 

It is the interaction between faculty and students with a variety of academic and professional interests and experiences—both in person and from thousands of miles apart in the online environment—that enable us to continue to make enduring contributions to the fields of International Development.  Most courses offered within the International Development (IDV) Doctoral Program include the content and academic milestones of a traditional on-campus doctoral program, but in a more flexible delivery format. 

Each of our hybrid courses entails two major components: intensive three-day in-person sessions at the beginning and end of the semester, and synchronous and/or asynchronous online seminars during the middle of the term.

All students taking regular classes in the IDV Program are required to attend in-person sessions every semester. In-person sessions are face-to-face sessions with peers and professors. These in-person sessions occur as three-day blocks (Friday-Sunday).

Our in-person sessions are held on Gulf Coast campus of The University of Southern Mississippi in Long Beach, Mississippi.  Students spend intensive ten-hour days in classes, seminars, workshops and listen to excellent invited guest speakers. 

Students take 54 hours beyond the Master's degree, 42 hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation research. Within the 54 hours of coursework, a 12-hour core (4 classes of 3 hours each) is required of all students. Students also take twelve (12) hours in a Major Emphasis Area, nine (9) hours in a Minor Emphasis Area and nine (9) hours of electives.  There are three Emphasis Areas:  Economic Development; Political Development/Security Studies and Social/Cultural Development.

For more information about the International Development Doctoral Program complete this form (click here) or contact the director of the program (information below).

David L. Butler, Ph.D.
Director
International Development Doctoral Program
The University of Southern Mississippi
601.266.4735
david.butler@usm.edu
www.usm.edu/international

Students may also contact the program coordinator:

Kim Cox
Recruiter/Program Coordinator, International Development Doctoral Program
The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast
228.214.3240
kim.cox@usm.edu

For more information, click here to complete our quick 2-minute form.