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Global Development and Innovation (Graduate Certificate)

Global Development and Innovation (Graduate Certificate)

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Global Development and Innovation (Graduate Certificate)

Community, Future, International, Policy, Society, Solutions, Technology, applied, government, sustainability

Are you interested in working for nonprofits, industries and research institutions engaged in global development? Do you want to be able to identify innovative and sustainable solutions to global development challenges? Gain a global development perspective that emphasizes knowledge and skills you need to realize transformative social change.

Program description
Degree awarded: Certificate  Global Development and Innovation (Certificate)

The graduate certificate program in global development and innovation responds to the gap in knowledge and skills that development practitioners around the world often struggle with. It provides current and critical perspectives as well as analytical and practical skills for addressing some of today's most pressing global challenges, including inequality, sustainability and poverty.

Graduates will have acquired an understanding of the main debates in global development, and they will be able to engage in informed and critical ways with professionals from a range of development backgrounds to challenge development orthodoxies. They will have learned how to approach development problems with creativity and confidence and with the ability to work collaboratively on addressing some of today's most pressing global challenges, including inequality and sustainability.

At a glance

Degree requirements

15 credit hours

Required Core (3 credit hours)
GTD 511 Development Policy and Practices (3)

Electives (12 credit hours)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students complete 12 credit hours of electives: six credit hours of courses focused on global development and six credit hours of other elective courses that are relevant to the certificate. No more than three one-credit courses may count toward the 12. The electives can change over time as needed with unit director approval. For a current and complete list of approved electives, students should see the academic unit.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Global Futures.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. personal statement
  3. resume
  4. official transcripts
  5. two letters of recommendation
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Acceptable proof consists of a TOEFL iBT score of at least 80, an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or a Pearson Test of English score of at least 60. The most current requirements are available on the Admission Services website.

International students who need an F1 or J1 visa first need to apply to and be accepted into a master's degree or doctoral degree program prior to being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the USA on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for admission to this certificate program.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Application deadlines
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person Rolling
Session A/COnline Rolling
SessionModalityDeadlineType
Session A/CIn Person Rolling
Session A/COnline Rolling
Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Able to communicate global development policies, the practice of development, and actual outcomes.
Global opportunities
Global experience

Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.

Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.

Students can find programs specific to their interests on the College of Global Futures Study Abroad webpage, and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.

Career opportunities

This certificate program may be paired with other graduate degrees, enabling graduates to pursue a variety of careers. Professionals with an understanding of the main debates in development are in high demand across a wide range of global development agencies, including nongovernmental organizations, civil society, foundations, industries and philanthropic organizations.

Career examples include:

  • data analyst
  • development field researcher
  • development planner
  • development program associate
  • gender specialist in nongovernmental organizations
  • organizational consultant
  • organizational development specialist
  • poverty policy analyst
  • social entrepreneur
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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