Global Development at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech's interdisciplinary Global Development program is a collaboration between the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, the School of Economics, the School of City and Regional Planning.
Drawing on the strengths of multiple disciplines, the program blends sharp policy analysis, practical tools, an understanding of how technology works in the real world, and hands-on learning to help future leaders identify which policies and technologies can create meaningful impact locally and globally.
What is Global Development?
The field of global development addresses the most pressing issues facing people today.
These are intricate challenges that touch every community, large and small, such as access to healthcare and education, the fight against poverty, the protection of human rights, and the need to build more resilient systems, among others. They are not limited to one region or one nation.
Consider poverty: more than 700 million people still live on less than $2.15 a day worldwide, while more than one million Georgians live below the federal poverty line.
Whether we act locally or globally, progress requires recognizing the importance of meso- and macro-level action that connects communities, regions, and nations.
Why does it matter?
The field of global development matters because it provides the theoretical, practical, and methodological tools to improve human well-being around the world.
It addresses a vast array of challenges — such as poverty, access to health and education, food insecurity, infrastructure development, and community resilience— that do not recognize borders.
They are as urgent in Africa, Asia, and Latin America as they are in communities across the United States. Lessons drawn from one place can often inform progress in another, underscoring the value of shared learning.
Tackling these issues requires collaboration. Governments alone cannot meet the scale of the need. Change happens when public institutions, corporations, startups, universities, and nonprofits work together, creating approaches that are both innovative and sustainable.
By recognizing local perspectives alongside regional, national and global engagement, development efforts not only strengthen communities elsewhere but also help build stronger, more resilient systems at home.
What Programs Do We Offer?
There are three pathways to prepare students for leadership in this field:
- The Master of Science in Global Development trains professionals with advanced skills from International Affairs, Economics and City Planning to understand and effectively respond to the complex challenges relating to improving the human condition.
- The undergraduate Minor in Global Development, offered jointly by the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, introduces students from any discipline to the field’s foundations and applications.
- The Graduate Certificate in Global Development allows students to deepen their expertise while complementing other graduate studies.
Graduates of the program pursue careers in government agencies and public contractors to shape policy; in nonprofits and non-governmental organizations to design and implement programs; and in business organizations to understand and evaluate the impact of private initiatives.
Whether advancing public service, driving change through mission-driven organizations, or advising global corporations, students gain the skills to make a measurable difference.
Why Atlanta and Georgia Tech?
Georgia Tech is the nation’s top public university, where technology responds to the major challenges of our time.
This interdisciplinary program builds on that tradition by contextualizing innovation for the real world and directing it toward progress for humanity. Students have the opportunity to explore, deepen their understanding and devise novel responses to some of the most pressing challenges, drawing upon the Institute’s many resources.
Atlanta offers an unmatched environment for students to pursue global development careers. Home to the third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in America and a vibrant nonprofit ecosystem, the city provides opportunities to gain experience that spans corporate and humanitarian contexts.
Partnerships with organizations such as CARE and The Carter Center create pathways for students to connect theory with practice. Whether working for nonprofits, international organizations, or private companies, students can build meaningful careers that extend their reach far beyond the city.
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