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
- Any other equivalent qualification as accepted by the Board of Study, AND
- 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