Global Development Studies
Gain a deep understanding of the multifaceted dynamics of societal transformation in an interconnected world through the global development studies (GSD) minor.
In our interdisciplinary minor, you will analyze issues such as inequality, poverty, climate change, migration and conflict from a multi-level perspective—considering local, national, regional and global dimensions, as well as insights from various stakeholders.
Through a combination of courses and extracurricular activities, you’ll explore the economic, social, political, technological and cultural factors that influence societal change. Throughout the program, you are encouraged to conceptualize development as a process of self-determination, striving for the agency and advancement of all communities, both locally and globally.
Curriculum
The global development studies minor can complement any major in the School of Foreign Service. It is designed to be flexible to allow you to take courses based on your specific interests. The course sequence is as follows:
- INAF 2252: Introduction to Global Development
- Five electives from the approved list of GDS courses that will support your global development studies learning goals
Electives can be drawn from courses within the School of Foreign Service and the university at large that cover a range of topics within the field of global development, from the changing landscape of foreign aid to state-building and from the global challenges of infectious diseases and climate change to problems of fragile states.
The multi-disciplinary tools and the substantive knowledge gained through the minor will serve students pursuing graduate work or global development careers, whether in bilateral or multilateral aid organizations, global philanthropy, international or “frontline” NGOs or the private sector.
Important information to consider
- You must declare your major before applying for the GDS minor.
- At most, two courses can be double-counted between the university/school core and the GDS minor.
- Courses taken to fulfill the requirement for a major may not double count for a minor. For example, if you are required to take an INAF course to complete a requirement for your IPOL major, that course may not double-count towards your GDS minor elective course requirement. Please review your major course requirements carefully to determine what courses may or may not fit your needs. If you have any questions, please contact your curricular advising dean.
Undergraduate students with questions about the global development studies minor should contact the GDS team at gdsminor@georgetown.edu.
Elective petitioning
If you are currently enrolled in the global development studies minor (i.e., have already completed your application process and have been enrolled for at least one semester), and you would like to pursue an elective in support of your GDS minor that is not included on the linked list of GDS elective courses, you may petition to have a course count towards your minor.
How to apply
Undergraduate students interested in the global development studies program should submit the minor declaration application form, which provides further instructions for enrollment.
Please note that you must use your Georgetown email address to submit the form.
To complete your participation in the GDS minor, you are required to meet with Professor Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano. In this meeting, you will discuss your interest in the minor, potential courses to fulfill elective requirements and areas of interest related to global development. To schedule this appointment, please email patricia.biermayrjenzano@georgetown.edu.
After you submit your application, the GDS minor administrator will contact you within one week of your submission. If you do not hear from them, please contact them at gdsminor@georgetown.edu.
Once your application is approved, you will receive an email notification. At that time, the GDS administrator will also contact your curricular advising dean to ensure that your degree audit reflects your enrollment in the global development studies minor.
Summer fellowship
As a student in the Global Development Studies Minor, you have the possibility of participating in the Summer Research Fellowship—a partnership with the Georgetown University Initiative on Innovation, Development and Evaluation (gui2de). This funded opportunity allows you to conduct hands-on research alongside faculty mentors, whether through fieldwork abroad or policy analysis on campus. Recent fellows have traveled to countries such as the Philippines and South Africa, gaining firsthand experience in development research and returning with a deeper sense of purpose.
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Elizabeth KoenckInternational Politics ’27Elizabeth spent her fellowship summer in Pretoria, South Africa working with the South African Department of Basic Education through the gui2de research team. -
Terry LiInternational Economics ’26Terry Li spent the summer on campus as a Global Development Research Fellow with gui2de’s research project. Working with Professor Joshi, Terry examined the… -
Kobe DatuInternational Economics ’26Kobe Datu worked with Professor Amrita Kundu in designing and deploying a field survey for small business owners in the Philippines during the summer. In the… -
Kira CaslerInternational Political Economy ’27Kira Casler worked on a six-week paid research fellowship through the Global Human Development Program with Dr. Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano. The research paper…