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Collaborative Specialization in International Development Studies

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Give your research a global dimension

The collaborative specialization in International Development Studies (IDS) gives you the opportunity to learn about issues like income inequality, the climate crisis, migration, and food security from an interdisciplinary, global perspective.

You'll gain insight into the structural roots of complex problems and explore transformative possibilities. You'll be mentored by faculty with expertise in various aspects of development in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IDS specialization also empowers you to include an international development lens in your thesis research and prepares you to be a future changemaker in academia, government, the non-profit sector, or industry.

This specialization is ideal for you if you're interested in:

  • Social justice
  • Global inequality
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Interdisciplinary research
  • Decolonial theory and practice
  • Contributing to positive, inclusive social change
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Format and Courses

See full details for the collaborative specialization in International Development Studies in the Graduate Calendar.

Courses

If you're completing the specialization as part of your master's degree, you'll take two required courses:

  • IDEV*6200 Development Theory, Issues and Process
  • IDEV*6300 Research and Analysis in a Development Context

You may count your IDEV courses towards any open elective requirements in your primary program.

You also have the option of taking these courses:

  • IDEV*6000 Regional Context
  • IDEV*6350 Applied Statistical Evaluation of Development Projects
  • IDEV*6400 Gender, Generation and Development
  • IDEV*6600 Decolonization in Development Practice

Course Descriptions

Research

Your research question must be related to a development issue.

Participating Programs

Graduate programs that are eligible for the collaborative specialization in International Development Studies are:

  • Capacity Development and Extension
  • Critical Studies in Improvisation
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • English
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
  • Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Management
  • Pathobiology
  • Philosophy
  • Plant Agriculture
  • Political Science
  • Population Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Public Issues Anthropology
  • Psychology
  • Rural Planning and Development
  • Rural Studies
  • Social Practice and Transformational Change
  • Sociology

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! A collaborative specialization is an optional program add-on for graduate students at the University of Guelph. If you are a future or current student in any of the participating programs, consider adding the specialization in IDS to extend your learning.

The specialization is only available in research-based (thesis or major research paper) study streams.

To be admitted to the specialization, you must first apply and be admitted to a primary graduate program. Additional requirements for the specialization:

Master's Level

  • Completion of an undergraduate course in a social science discipline
  • Completion of a course in social science research methods or equivalent

PhD Level

  • Strong background in the social sciences
  • Demonstrable experience in the course-based study of development issues, development research and/or development practice
  • Stated research interest relating to international development

If you're interested in emphasizing International Development Studies in your graduate program, here's what to do:

  1. Explore the participating graduate programs to find one that's right for you.
  2. In OUAC, apply to that program plus the collaborative specialization in IDS. Be sure your statement of research interest includes a rationale for pursuing the collaborative specialization.
  3. If you are admitted to the primary program, register in both your new "home" department and in the collaborative specialization in IDS.

If you're already enrolled in your graduate program, you can still complete the specialization provided you have the time in your schedule of studies. Speak to the graduate program coordinator in your department to learn more.

Get in Touch

Questions about the collaborative specialization in International Development Studies? Contact:

  • Dr. Erin Nelson, Graduate Program Coordinator at enelson@uoguelph.ca
  • Our Graduate Program Assistant at ids@uoguelph.ca
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