At Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, the Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) programme is more than just a degree — it’s a transformative experience for a global community of policy shapers and social architects. Designed for mid-career professionals, MIDP leverages Duke’s world-class resources and globally renowned faculty to facilitate the growth of experienced, development-minded individuals who are driving change and helping to build stronger and more resilient communities. The MIDP programme equips students with the tools, network, and knowledge to elevate their impact.
Learning with faculty and classmates from a vast range of cultures and professional backgrounds, students are immersed in an international and intellectually rich environment. With a cohort that is 90% international and a flexible, self-designed curriculum created specifically for mid-career professionals, the programme offers a deeply immersive and collaborative space to interrogate assumptions, exchange ideas, and learn from a wide range of lived experiences.
Whether discussing education reform with a policymaker from Kenya or exploring climate resilience with a government official from the Philippines, the programme extends beyond the classroom to reflect a microcosm of the world students are preparing to change.
“The diversity of the cohort, with so many different countries represented, generates a tight-knit community, with people helping each other and growing together,” says Christian Menin, MIDP ‘24.
Face-to-face classroom experiences make it easy to connect with MIDP professors and peers. Source: Duke University
“The invaluable opportunity to learn from my peers, each bringing their unique perspectives, cultures, and experiences to the table, has enriched my understanding of global issues and strengthened my ability to collaborate across borders.”
Menin himself had plenty to share throughout his time at Sanford. Prior to joining, the Brazilian changemaker had spent nearly a decade tackling some of Latin America’s most pressing challenges.
But experience was not enough, and he knew that to truly drive change, he needed the tools to analyse systems, navigate diplomacy, and build sustainable peace at scale. The MIDP programme equips professionals with these capabilities — and much more.
Beyond the programme’s expansive scope and academic depth, Menin was drawn to Duke’s deep ties to global peacebuilding networks. As a Rotary Peace Fellow, he earned a certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution and conducted field research on broken peace promises in Colombia. He complemented his studies with a summer internship at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, and an additional certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies — all while leading student organisations and shaping on-campus dialogue around Latin America and the Middle East. This is the level of exposure the MIDP degree was designed to deliver.
Tailored for mid-career practitioners, the programme equips students with the tools to deepen their impact while also offering flexibility to meet students’ career goals. Students can select the two-year option or complete the programme in three semesters, depending on eligibility.
The programme begins with a strong foundation: four core courses in policy analysis, economics, and quantitative tools, paired with ungraded practicums and labs in public policy writing, editing, and professional development. From there, students can choose to specialise across nine focus areas, from Applied Development Economics to Social Welfare Policy, Environment and Energy Management, and more.
MIDP students can take elective courses from the Sanford School of Public Policy, as well as departments and schools across Duke. Source: Duke University
And it doesn’t stop at Sanford. As an MIDP student, you’ll have full access to Duke’s broader ecosystem, with the ability to take courses at Duke Law School, Fuqua School of Business, and Nicholas School of the Environment.
Beyond the classroom, the MIDP ecosystem opens doors to new possibilities. Students attend cultural events, hear from globally respected speakers, and even organise their own initiatives. Just ask Antonella Di Ciano (MIDP ’25), who partnered with the Duke Centre for International Development to launch the Women in Development Talk Series, spotlighting key voices shaping the field.
“This series brought together Sanford faculty, current students, alumni and development practitioners to share insights across diverse areas like conflict resolution, tech policy, and applied economics,” she explains. “It honed my ability to build platforms for knowledge-sharing and elevate underrepresented voices in global policy conversations.”
Indeed, the MIDP programme is a launchpad for action. Alumni are already making bold moves across more than 100 countries — influencing policy at the World Bank, driving innovation at UNICEF, leading local government in Chile, and supporting climate resilience at the New York Climate Exchange.
So whether your next move is global, local, or somewhere in between, the MIDP network — backed by international recognition and proven impact — will launch you forward.
Find out how else the MIDP can define your next chapter.
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