International Development PhD
Make a global impact with a PhD in International Development.
Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)
Completion Time:
3 years *pending hours enrolled and dissertation completion
University Accreditation:
Special Requirements:
No GRE Required
Learn more about this program:
Become a well-rounded scholar and practitioner with an online PhD in International Development from The University of Southern Mississippi. This online doctoral program allows students to connect and collaborate cross-culturally with peers from diverse backgrounds. With a curriculum emphasizing economic, political, and social development, our students become expert quantitative and qualitative researchers who address and solve interdisciplinary challenges.
The PhD in International Development’s diverse student body includes individuals from universities, non-profits, private and public sectors, and the military. With faculty from various academic disciplines and an active alumni network, students are surrounded by engaged mentors who will help guide in-depth research of global development issues.
Major and Minor Emphasis Areas:
- Economic Development
- Political Development
- Security Studies
Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are standing by to assist you. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!
Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!
What can you do with a PhD in international development?
A PhD in International Development gives you both quantitative and qualitative research skills to impact political, social, and economic development change.
We are here to help! Our enrollment coaches are standing by to help you take the next step.
We’ll call you soon! In the meantime, learn more about us from our blog or start your application.
Course Requirements (54 Hours)
Economic Development Emphasis Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
International Development Theory
|
3 hrs. |
|
Research Design I
|
3 hrs. |
|
Statistical Methods in International Development Research
|
3 hrs. |
|
Qualitative Methods
|
3 hrs. |
|
Economics for International Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
International Economics
|
3 hrs. |
Economic Development Electives (Choose Two Courses):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Institutions in Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
|
3 hrs. |
|
Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar on Current Issues in International Development
|
6 hrs. |
Political Development Emphasis Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
International Development Theory
|
3 hrs. |
|
Research Design I
|
3 hrs. |
|
Statistical Methods in International Development Research
|
3 hrs. |
|
Qualitative Methods
|
3 hrs. |
|
International Political Economy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative International Political Development
|
3 hrs. |
Political Development Electives (Choose Two Courses):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Institutions in Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
|
3 hrs. |
|
Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar on Current Issues in International Development
|
6 hrs. |
Security Studies Emphasis Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
International Development Theory
|
3 hrs. |
|
Research Design I
|
3 hrs. |
|
Statistical Methods in International Development Research
|
3 hrs. |
|
Qualitative Methods
|
3 hrs. |
|
U.S. National Security Policy
|
3 hrs. |
|
International Security
|
3 hrs. |
Security Studies Electives (Choose Two Courses):
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar in Homeland Security
|
3 hrs. |
|
Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare
|
3 hrs. |
|
Seminar on Current Issues in International Development
|
6 hrs. |
- Minor Field (9 hrs.) – see listings for other field areas for required and elective course options
- IDV Electives (9 hrs.) – from any IDV field, see field listings.
- Dissertation (12 hrs.)
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page.
Students take, on average, four years to complete the degree, but it is truly dependent on the student.
Yes, students are required to write a dissertation based on original research. There is no set minimum or maximum for length of dissertation.
IDV classes are held one night a week, Monday-Friday (depending on the class), at either 5pm-7pm CST or 7pm-9pm CST.
Yes, however, IDV requires qualified students to have completed all coursework and successfully completed the comprehensive examinations.
At the end of all coursework, IDV students must complete a written and oral comprehensive examination covering the information learned in their two areas of concentration.
No, the GRE is no longer required for admission into this program.
The IDV program welcomes new students in both the spring and fall semesters.
No, online students pay resident tuition. For information about pricing, click here.
Visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs. We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions, and course enrollment.
Yes. The International Development Doctoral Program can be completed fully online. IDV students are not required to travel to the University at any point during their enrollment, including commencement.
Yes, the IDV program charges a flat rate of $450 per semester for specific books and materials which will be sent to the students by the program.
All IDV students will receive several books from the program. IDV provides a set of reference books on style, etc., as well as books for core and required courses. Students are responsible for purchasing the required and/or suggested books for all elective courses. Students may purchase books from any source they desire, provided they are the same as stipulated by the class syllabus.
The unique nature of the International Development Ph.D. program, along with the research skills learned in the program, make the IDV degree versatile for work in both the public and private sectors. Graduates of the IDV program add value to their current positions and quickly enjoy increasing responsibilities.
No, your degree is held to the same high level of rigor no matter the type of delivery, including online, so there is no label on online students’ degrees.
The student is contacted via email to establish a personalized degree plan and assistance in determining enrollment for the first semester.
The student has 8 years to complete the degree. The vast majority of students need less time, but all are allowed the full 8 years
The IDV program is highly selective in its admissions, maintains a high level of student mentorship. Students are required to present an original research paper at an approved conference, as well as submit an article for publication to a peerreviewed academic journal.
Yes, the majority of IDV students are balancing the demands of their current career responsibilities with their academic pursuits.
Yes. Any use of artificial intelligence is not permitted in IDV courses. Any use of AI tools for work in this program may be considered a violation of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Academic Integrity Policy.
The University of Southern Mississippi provides a Senior Citizen Tuition Scholarship Program for Mississippi residents age 62 or older. Legal residents of the State of Mississippi age 62 or older may enroll tuition-free in a maximum of six (6) semester hours for the fall or spring term. Courses on all campuses (Online, Hattiesburg, and Gulf Coast) are available to senior citizens on a space available, first come first serve basis. This scholarship program applies to fall and spring courses only.
To inquire about the availability of this scholarship, contact the registrar’s office.
Yes, the University is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The University of Southern Mississippi was established in 1910 and is one of the three flagship universities in Mississippi. The IDV program has been educating students for over 25 years and continues to be known for our rigor and quality of graduates.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements found in Academic Requirements and Procedures, applicants to the Doctoral program must provide the following:
- Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Research Statement of 1000-1500 words explaining your research interests and how they relate to one of the emphasis areas
- Research paper, professional writing sample, or published academic research
- Three Letters of Recommendation
Program Requirements and Academic Policies
The International Development Doctoral Program is a 54-credit hour program. The 54 hours are divided into 42 hours of coursework and 12 dissertation hours.
Students are required to take 4 core courses (12 hours), 4 courses (12 hours) of major electives, 3 courses (9 hours) of minor electives, 3 courses (9 hours) of general electives, and a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation. Note that within each elective area, two classes are required and the student may then select from the remaining classes in the elective to fulfill the rest of the requirement. Minor electives are to be selected from the remaining major areas of study.
Upon the successful completion the 42 hours of required coursework, the student will sit for the comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination consists of questions pertaining to the major and minor elective area and has both a written and an oral component. Students are granted two attempts to pass the comprehensive examinations. Failure to complete the comprehensive examination, successfully, on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program and the university.
After successful completion of the comprehensive exam, students will then form their dissertation committee and begin the dissertation phase. Students are required to prepare, with the direction of their committee chair, and defend their dissertation proposal. Once the dissertation proposal is approved, students will work to complete their dissertation. A successful oral defense of the completed dissertation is required. Students are to enroll in dissertation hours (12 hours minimum) during their dissertation phase.
The research tools required to complete the degree are as follows:
- Submission of a publishable peer-reviewed article or book chapter
- Presentation of an academic paper at an approved academic conference
See General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information, for other requirements and expectations.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
Apply Now!