Master of Science in Development Studies

Galen's Master of Science in Development Studies is aimed at people who want to lead sustainable, community-driven change rather than simply study development from the outside. Spread across 12 courses over five semesters, the program pairs academic grounding with applied work, pushing students to engage directly with development challenges at both the local and global level. Hands-on community projects run through the curriculum, so graduates leave having already tested ideas in practice rather than only in the classroom. The program is positioned around three themes: rigorous academic standards, a sustained focus on sustainable-development practice, and an applied-learning approach that asks students to question local and global challenges and propose their own solutions. By combining that sense of social responsibility with applied research and real community involvement, Galen aims to send graduates out ready to contribute to both the theory and the day-to-day practice of development work.