International Social and Economic Development Concentration
Students in the International Social and Economic Development (SED) concentration are prepared to work with communities, organizations and governments in the Global South to create complex solutions that improve people’s lives in a global context.
Students will deepen their understanding of poverty and inequality around the world, be able to analyze institutions and organizations, and learn to use tools and techniques for applying integrated and sustained development approaches for facilitating change at many different levels.
Alumni go on to careers in government and non-governmental organizations developing and implementing programs, designing and evaluating policy, or building the evidence base for action.
CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS: 21 CREDITS
- International Social & Economic Development Theory (3 credits)
- International Social & Economic Development Policy (3 credits)
- Development Practice in International Settings (3 credits)
- Six additional credits of practice-focused coursework, chosen from a list of pre-approved options
- Management & Leadership of Organizations (3 credits)
- Social Policy Analysis & Evaluation (3 credits) or Evaluation of Programs and Services (3 credits)
You will also have 9 elective credits, which can be used to broaden your expertise in other areas or to pursue additional SED-related electives, such as:
- Organizing, Coalition Building and Lobbying (3 credits)
- Asset Building: Theory, Innovation, Research, Policy and Practice (3 credits)
CONCENTRATION PRACTICUM
The MSW program requires 600 hours of concentration practicum (in addition to 360 hours of foundation practicum). The concentration practicum must take place in a setting related to international social and economic development. Concentration practicum sites must have an international focus, whether located in the U.S. or abroad.
Sample practicum sites include:
- Rici Foundation (China)
- Minga (Malawi)
- Maji Safi (Tanzania)
- ICHAD (Uganda/Ghana)
- Terrewode (Uganda)
- One Village Uganda
- Camp Group/Box Girls (Germany)
- E3 Nutrition lab (Ecuador/Haiti)
- The Dream Project (Dominican Republic)
- Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center (Costa Rica)
For more information, visit the Global Opportunities webpage.
Concentration Chair
Assistant Professor of Practice Brad Tucker is the Chair of the International Social and Economic Development Concentration. He is passionate about advancing social justice and maximizing human development in the Global South – especially Sub-Saharan Africa. Through organizational development consulting, he partners with local governments and NGOs working to enhance their effectiveness and increase their impact.
Featured Graduate
“Choosing the Social and Economic Development concentration was one of the best professional decisions I have ever made. Through the diverse courses and the dynamic practical experiences offered by the Brown School, I was able to gain the tools and skills I needed to be successful in the international development field.”
—EMILY BULL, MSW ’13, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, RICE 360° INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH