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International Development - Doctorate

Availability: Online 100%

Build Your Career as an International Development Expert

With a Ph.D. in International Development (IDV), you will gain the advanced research, analytical, and writing skills necessary to make enduring contributions to the global community as a professional or academic. Through an interdisciplinary approach, you will develop both quantitative and qualitative research expertise to impact political, security, and economic development.

Our online doctoral program delivers academic rigor with the flexibility to fit your life.

Specialization Options

Our curriculum includes majors and minors in:

  • Economic Development
  • Political Development
  • Security Studies

Our faculty represent various academic disciplines, while the diverse program community includes students from college and university faculties, the military, private and public sectors, and non-profits.

Careers in International Development

  • University Professor
  • Government Employee
  • Federal/Law Enforcement Agent
  • International Business
  • Military Officer
  • Counter-Intelligence Operator

100% Online Format

The IDV program is delivered fully online through scheduled virtual in-person sessions and class meetings, providing a highly flexible format that accommodates a range of student schedules while providing a high-quality degree.

Application and Deadlines

The program accepts applications for both fall and spring admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall semester start: June 15
  • Spring semester start: November 15

Faculty Engagement

You will work closely with faculty scholars from various disciplines whose research is published in national and international journals. Through our Teacher-Scholar-Mentor model, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on co-authored publications and present together at academic conferences—building the professional network and scholarly credentials essential for academic and professional careers. Graduates of the IDV program are well-rounded scholars and practitioners making a difference in our world.

Program Details

Requirements

In addition to the Admission Requirements and Procedures, the minimum standards for regular admission are as follows:

  1. The application must present evidence, by official transcript, of a grade point average of at least 2.75 (calculated on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.
  2. Students whose native language is not English must meet the university’s minimum requirements of TOEFL or IELTS score.
  3. The applicant must submit current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) via the online application.
  4. The applicant must have three letters of recommendation.  At least two letters must be submitted by academic faculty members who are qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate work. The third letter may be submitted by a direct supervisor.
  5. The applicant must submit a Statement of Research Interest specifying areas of interest and career goals.  The statement should address the following: reasons this graduate program was chosen, how the applicant plans to relate the specialty area to his or her education and experience and expected career benefits from this program.  The Statement of Research Interest should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced.

Step by Step Guide to Applying

Tuition

Full Time

9-13 HOURS

Cost per Semester:
$5,197

Non-Resident Fee: $1000

Part Time

1-8 HOURS

Cost per Hour:
$578.12

Cost per 3-Hour Credit Course:
$1,734.36

Non-Resident Fee: $112.00 per hour

These rates are subject to change with prior approval from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or University policy. The amounts shown here are for the 2025-26 academic year. Initial costs shown are for residents of the state of Mississippi. Additional non-resident fees are waived for summer semesters.

*Includes capital improvement fee of $35 each fall/spring semester and student activities fee of $20 each fall/spring semester
.

For more details about tuition and fees, please refer to our General Tuition & Fees

Catalog Links

Degree Plan Availability
International Development PhD Online 100%

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