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Master of Development Practice

Forge new and more effective paths toward sustainable development. 

About the MDP

The Master of Development Practice (MDP) is a transformative 21-month, STEM-designated program that turns passion for sustainable development into powerful, real-world impact. Rooted in UC Berkeley’s tradition of excellence and driven by its commitment to social change, the program blends rigorous academics, hands-on fieldwork, and peer-to-peer learning to prepare leaders who can tackle the world’s most urgent challenges.

Located in the Bay Area—the global hub of innovation—and connected to a worldwide network of over 30 MDP programs through the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, our students gain the skills, vision, and networks to transform bold ideas into lasting change.

The Berkeley MDP is more than a degree—it is a launchpad for changemakers committed to building a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.

Learn More About the MDP at GSPP

MDP FAQs

Connect with MDP Admissions

History of the Program
GSPP student pointing at poster and explaining Capstone project to another student.

The Program

The MDP consists of a core curriculum, a summer internship after the first year, a second-year capstone project, and electives chosen from GSPP and across GSPP. The core curriculum spans the fields of climate, energy, agriculture,  and environment, public policy, economic development, public health, project management, and business and innovation, as well as other areas such as human rights, education, migration, humanitarian relief, and governance, while providing opportunities to take electives across the Berkeley campus.  Through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum, graduates are able to think across traditional disciplinary and sectoral boundaries to solve global and local development challenges and find employment in a variety of sectors.

Career Services

The development landscape is always emerging and evolving, and while many of our graduates are at the leading global development organizations and in national and local government, many others work in impact investing, in corporate social responsibility, in product innovation, and in tech, as well as start their own organizations, from NGOs to startups. Berkeley MDP students benefit from the expertise of GSPP career services, which has experience in development practice. As the MDP is a stem-oriented degree, international students are able to apply for an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after their first year of optional practical training, for a total of three years.

Career Services

GSPP career services staff speaking to classroom of students.

MDP Class Profile

We consider all applicants equally and do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, or socioeconomic background. Our highly competitive selection process consistently leads to a diverse mix of highly qualified students.

48% Female Identifying
75% International
28.6 Average Age

Meet Some of Our MDP Students

Pamela Castell de Oro

Pamela Castell de Oro

(She/Her)
Amanda Fong

Amanda Fong

(she/her)
Shiyu HU

Shiyu HU

(she/her)

See All MDP Students

Partners

The Berkeley MDP’s comprehensive program produces innovative leaders with management and analytical tools, problem-solving skills, multi-disciplinary understanding and an entrepreneurial attitude to address challenges in their workplace and in the world. Organizations in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors have seen our students make a positive impact in a broad range of positions and roles.

Students walking outside of the Goldman School of Public Policy.

Questions?

Check out our MDP Frequently Asked Questions or email us at info-mdp@berkeley.edu.