Master of Arts in Sustainable Development

"SIT provided the space for me to challenge myself to unlearn many untruths from my professional and personal pasts and to gather more understanding, knowledge, and skill from a rich and diverse community and from within myself."

Korto Williams, Women’s Rights Coordinator Action Aid International, Liberia

Current students, alumni, and faculty talk about
the Sustainable Development degree

SIT’s Sustainable Development MA prepares graduates for positions in organizations working toward a more equitable and sustainable use of the world’s wealth and natural resources. The program emphasizes the importance of civil society actors and institutions, including NGOs, community programs, social movements, coalitions, and faith-based organizations.

Examine competing theories and approaches to development while building competencies in key areas such as:

Community empowerment
Monitoring and evaluation
Policy analysis
Advocacy and training
Economic development
Program planning
Proposal writing

Acquire skills and training to work in a wide range of development-related fields
Students develop skills to work in community development, economic development, and many other areas of need across the globe, through coursework and field study. Students gain professional experience through an extended practicum with an organization of their choice that is relevant to their professional goals.

Optional concentrations typically include*:

Community Development and Social Action
Development Management
Policy Analysis and Advocacy

*Not all concentrations may be available every term.

Join a global network of development projects and professionals
SIT Graduate Institute is the higher education institution of World Learning, a leading international development organization, and as such is uniquely qualified to prepare its graduates to work with communities around the world in meeting their development needs. By drawing on the World Learning/SIT global network of contacts and development projects, graduates can advance their careers by building connections worldwide.

Browse Past Sustainable Development Capstone Papers

Degree Sequence

On Campus Coursework (28-34 credits) Nine months: September–December (14 weeks) and January–May (16 weeks)
Coursework combines facilitated discussions, simulations, and other methods of highly experiential learning, through which students acquire theoretical knowledge and professional competencies essential for their career development.
In the Field: Reflective Practice Phase (12 credits) Following successful completion of on-campus coursework, students engage in at least six months of field practice within an organization of their choice that is relevant to their professional goals.
Capstone Paper and Seminar Students apply the knowledge and skills learned on campus through written documentation culminating in a focused capstone paper. Papers are presented during a one-week seminar held multiple times each year on SIT’s campus in Vermont.

Students may be able to pursue part-time study with written approval from the appropriate faculty.

Attend an open house on March 15th or May 3rd, 2013 (Vermont) to learn more.

Alum Korto Williams
Women’s Rights Coordinator
Action Aid International, Liberia

"SIT provided the space for me to challenge myself ..."
[Read More]

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