Development Policy & Practice (DPP)

DPP 801 - Integrative Approaches to Development Policy and Practice

Credits: 3

This course aims to provide students with a general introduction to the basic core competencies and practical skills required of a "generalist" development practitioner and serves as the foundation course for the curriculum. Case studies will be used to demonstrate the interconnectedness of natural sciences and engineering, social science, health sciences, and management, especially as they relate to communities.

Equivalent(s): DPP 901

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 802 - Economic Analysis for Development

Credits: 3

This course provides the practitioner with tools of economic analysis that are necessary for effective community development practice. Drawing upon principles of macroeconomics, the course explores how markets, property rights, political institutions, government policies, environmental conditions and cultural values interact to produce development outcomes.

Equivalent(s): DPP 902

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 805 - Fiscal Management for Development Organizations

Credits: 3

Budgeting, goal setting, financial planning and financial analysis for development organizations. As part of the requirements, students will identify an organization (can be nonprofit or for profit as long as they are committed to development) that allows them to have access to the person who is responsible for the financial management of the organization.

Equivalent(s): DPP 905

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 806 - Organizational Management and Leadership

Credits: 3

Combines theory and practical information for students to learn traditional and contemporary organizational and leadership theories and apply them to their experience in organizations particularly non-profit institutions, non-governmental organizations. The course will focus on personal and inter-personal development such as self-awareness, stress and problem solving, interpersonal skills such as supportive communication, power and influence, motivation and conflict management: group skills such as delegation and team building; and leadership. Students should have an interest and ideally some experience working with nonprofits as a volunteer or staff member. Possessing a basic understanding of the various roles nonprofits play in low to moderate income communities would be helpful but is not required. As part of the course requirements, students will design, conduct and then report back on a leadership interview.

Equivalent(s): DPP 906

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 808 - Policy Seminar

Credits: 3

This seminar will reinforce the multidisciplinary breadth and trans-disciplinary perspective of the master's program, providing students with the opportunity to sharpen critical policy analysis skills. The goal of the course is to help students understand the sources of public policy, that is, why we have various public policies and how to produce professional policy analysis.

Equivalent(s): DPP 908

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 861 - Community Development Finance

Credits: 3

This course examines the historic, theoretical, and applied foundations of community development lending and investment. The course critically examines what works, what doesn't work, and how community development financial institutions, investors, government agencies, private donors, and the capital markets have all contributed to the field of community development finance. The course also covers which methodologies, strategies, products, services, organizational models, and evaluation and reporting protocols have the greatest efficacy towards building and improving the industry.

Equivalent(s): DPP 961

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

DPP 980 - Introduction to Community Development Projects

Credits: 3

During the first semester, students will identify a community problem or issue, research and analyze the issue in consultation with colleagues and community stakeholders, and design a project. A preliminary design will be submitted at the end of the first semester.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 981 - Project Design and Planning

Credits: 3

Studies how project plan inputs are accurately gathered, integrated, documented and managed; the tools and techniques used in project management; and the outputs of a project plan to viable stakeholders. Considers the development of project scope, work breakdown structures, and the importance of quality, risk, and contingency management in planning development projects.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 982 - Project Implementation and Monitoring

Credits: 3

Students will begin implementation activities in field placement communities. Regular progress reports ad online postings will be required.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 983 - Project Evaluation

Credits: 3

This semester students will conduct an evaluation of their project and manage closure processes. At the end students will submit a final written report and present it to the faculty and peers. This final project and the final report detailing the project will serve as the capstone course of the program.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

DPP 990 - Independent Study

Credits: 1-4

Under the guidance of an MCD Faculty member, the Independent Study Course (DPP 990) provides students with the opportunity to study a unique topic in-depth that is not offered as a traditional course. Often this topic is a relevant aspect of their capstone project which they wish to explore in more depth.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading