The Master of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP) Program at the University of Florida is a professional, interdisciplinary program designed for individuals aspiring to pursue work in sustainable development, internationally as well as in the United States. Sustainable development has a broad connotation, spanning all dimensions of wellbeing and environmental stewardship for present and future generations. Consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the MDP Program recognizes that sustainable development poses challenges to all countries on earth.
Coursework is combined with hands-on field experience to cultivate in our students the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for a career in a wide range of development organizations and institutions. The overall MDP Program curriculum integrates the social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and management to ensure that students acquire a holistic understanding of sustainable development. While students progress through the MDP Program as a cohort and take core courses together, a portion of each student’s program is dedicated to earning one or more specializations of particular interest. In this way, students gain an understanding of the complexity of development challenges while also honing knowledge and skills applicable to the specific line/s of work they wish to pursue.
The capstone of the MDP program is the 10-12 week Field Practicum carried out during the summer between the two academic years with a host organization working in sustainable development. In conjunction with their host organization, each MDP student decides on a development activity or initiative to which he/she will contribute, and develops with feedback from that organization and from his/her supervisory committee a field practicum proposal, including the methods envisioned to generate agreed-upon deliverables and the final report.
Graduates of the program are employed in a diverse array of educational and research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private businesses in the US and around the world. Many also continue studies in Ph.D. programs. Periodically, alumni of MDP programs provide important feedback to the programs to enhance their quality and effectiveness.
Growing out of the TCD program, the MDP program is administered jointly by the Center for Latin American Studies and the Center for African Studies with essential support from core and affiliate faculty representing a considerable number of colleges and departments of the University of Florida.
MDP also offers a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Development Practice.