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Master of Development Practice (MDP)

PGIHS > Master of Development Practice (MDP)

The Master of Development Practice (MDP) at the University of Peradeniya was launched in September 2011 following a two-year curriculum development and approval process which was supported by funding from the MacArthur Foundation and guidance from the Earth Institute, Columbia University. The MDP is a two year graduate-level global multi-disciplinary programme geared toward equipping development professionals with knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to address today’s complex development challenges. The Global MDP programme (see www.mdpglobal.org ) which began in 2009 at Columbia University in New York with 23 students now reaches out to over 1500 participants from 25 universities in 20 countries. The University of Peradeniya is proud to be the only University in Sri Lanka and one of only five in Asia-selected to offer the MDP programme. 

The programme prepares students to work across different fields such as Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health Sciences and Management. The programme will enable students to design and manage integrated development interventions, design, monitor and evaluate projects, communicate technical details effectively and also design appropriate policies to support equitable and sustainable development. 

Career prospects for graduates of this programme include employment in Development Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, Private-Sector Companies and Government Departments. The pre-MDP programme prepares students from different backgrounds to follow the proper programme. 

An applicant with the following qualifications may be admitted to follow the Master of Development Practice degree programme: 

  • A Bachelor’s Degree, OR
  • A Diploma or its equivalent and five years’ work experience in the relevant field. OR (iii) Any other equivalent qualification as accepted by the Board of Study,  AND

(iv) Evidence of English competency or satisfactory performance at a test to determine English competency. 

Courses offered: 

 

Course Code

Courses

Credits

Status

 

 

Pre-MDP

 

 

 

DPR402

Basic Mathematics

1

C

 

DPR403

Principles of Economics

1

C

 

DPR405

Colloquial and Communicative Sinhala

2

C

 

DPR406

Colloquial and Communicative Tamil

2

C

 

 

DPR407

Introduction to Biology

1

C

DPR408

Introduction to Physics/Chemistry

1

C

DPR501

Professional Writing and Communication Skills

1

C

DPR503

Principles of Leadership

1

C

DPR509

Data Collection for Development Practice

1

C

DPR510

Data Analysis for Development Practice

2

C

 

Semester 1

 

 

DPR511

Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Development

3

C

DPR512

Community Development and Social Dynamics

3

C

DPR513

Human Impact on the Natural Environment

3

C

DPR514

Energy and Environment

3

C

 

Semester 2

 

 

DPR521

Geographical Information Systems for Development Practice

3

C

DPR523

Budget Planning, Financial and Commodities Management

3

C

DPR524

Economic and Policy Analysis

3

C

DPR525

Gender, and Human Rights

3

C

 

Internship

 

 

DPR699

Field Training Internship

2

C

 

Semester 3

 

 

DPR601

Agriculture and Environment

3

C

DPR602

Microeconomics of Development and Policy Analysis

3

C

DPR604

Economic and Financial Evaluation of Projects

3

C

DPR606

Public Health and Nutrition

3

C

 

Semester 4

 

 

DPR605

Planning Urban and Rural Infrastructure

3

O

DPR621

Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

3

O

DPR622

Disaster Management

3

O

DPR623

Environmental Economics

3

O

DPR624

Climate Change in South Asia

3

O

DPR625

Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Marine Affairs

3

O

DPR626

Environmental Impact Assessment

3

O

      

Students should earn sixty one (61) credits from 500 and 600 level courses (45 credits of compulsory courses, 14 credits of optional courses and 2 credits from field training internship) to complete the degree.