International Social and Economic Development Concentration
Students in the International Social and Economic Development (ISED) concentration are prepared to partner with communities, organizations and governments in the Global South to address complex social, economic, and political challenges that often stand in the way of people building successful, thriving communities and realizing their full potential.
Students will deepen their understanding of poverty and injustice around the world, and learn to use evidence-based tools and techniques for applying integrated and sustainable development approaches for facilitating change at different levels.
Alumni go on to careers in government and non-governmental organizations developing and implementing programs, designing and evaluating policy, or leading and managing social impact organizations.
Concentration Requirements: 15 Credits
- International Social & Economic Development Theory (3 credits)
- International Social & Economic Development Policy (3 credits)
- Development Practice in International Settings (3 credits)
- Six additional credits of practice-focused coursework, chosen from a list of pre-approved options such as International Child Welfare (3 credits) or Global Anti-Poverty Interventions (3 credits)
Students will also complete a leadership and management course, an evaluation course, and 9 credits of elective courses. These elective credits can be used to broaden your expertise in other areas or to pursue additional ISED-related electives.
Concentration Practicum
The MSW program requires 600 hours of concentration practicum (in addition to 360 hours of foundation practicum). The concentration practicum must take place in a setting related to international social and economic development. Concentration practicum sites must have an international focus, whether located in the U.S. or abroad.
Sample practicum sites include:
- Rici Foundation (China)
- Minga (Malawi)
- Maji Safi (Tanzania)
- ICHAD (Uganda/Ghana)
- Terrewode (Uganda)
- One Village Uganda
- Camp Group/Box Girls (Germany)
- E3 Nutrition lab (Ecuador/Haiti)
- The Dream Project (Dominican Republic)
- Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center (Costa Rica)
For more information, visit the Global Opportunities webpage.
Concentration Chair
Associate Professor of Practice Brad Tucker is the Chair of the International Social and Economic Development Concentration. He is passionate about advancing social justice and maximizing human development in the Global South – especially Sub-Saharan Africa. Through organizational development consulting, leadership training, and program design and implementation, he partners with government agencies and NGOs working to enhance their effectiveness and increase their impact. He enjoys working with students to chart a course during their time at the Brown School, and beyond, that will help them realize their professional objectives.
Featured Graduate
“Choosing the Social and Economic Development concentration was one of the best professional decisions I have ever made. Through the diverse courses and the dynamic practical experiences offered by the Brown School, I was able to gain the tools and skills I needed to be successful in the international development field.”
—Emily Bull, MSW ’13, Director of Development, Rice 360° Institute for Global Health