Accelerated Master of International Development Administration

Why Choose an Accelerated M.I.D.A. at Western Michigan University?

When admitted to the accelerated graduate degree program with senior standing, students may take up to 12 credit hours of designated 5000 and 6000 level courses for graduate credit. These designated courses may be used in completion of both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. The accelerated graduate degree program in International Development Administration allows undergraduate students at WMU to begin to accumulate credits toward the completion of a master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s degree. The program is open to students majoring in Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Global and International Studies, or Environment, Geography and Sustainability.

Courses are selected in consultation with the M.I.D.A. Program Director and the student’s undergraduate advisor.

Eligibility

This program is open to WMU undergraduate students:

• Who are enrolled as a major in Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Global and International Studies, or Environment, Geography and Sustainability at WMU, 
• Who have senior status, have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours at WMU and at least 20 hours in classes in the designated social sciences, and
• Who have an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.5 based on 45 credit hours with at least 15 hours earned at WMU.
• Undergraduate students enrolled in the accelerated program are expected to meet graduate expectations in their graduate courses.
• Students who have received a bachelor's degree are ineligible to apply for accelerated M.I.D.A. program (they should apply for the standard M.I.D.A. program).

Admissions/Enrollment

1. As early as possible, but no later than the spring semester of the junior year, interested students should meet with the M.I.D.A. Director and their undergraduate major advisor to discuss the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program.
2. Complete the graduate audit process with the WMU registrar.
3. Apply for admission to the M.I.D.A. Program - Select the term after your anticipated undergraduate graduation term.
4. Upon acceptance, students must meet with the M.I.D.A. Director and their undergraduate advisor to finalize an appropriate program of study that meets the requirements for the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
5. A letter advising which graduate courses will be counted in both degrees will be sent to the student and to the registrar. A copy of this letter will be included in the student's file.  The Accelerated Graduate Degree Program Course approval form must be completed and received by the WMU registrar's office before student takes graduate courses. 

More information regarding the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP) admission process can be found here

Requirements for Continuing Eligibility and Graduation

• After admission to the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program in International Development Administration, students must follow the program of study developed with the M.I.D.A. Director and their undergraduate advisor.
• Students who become ineligible to continue participation in the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program will be notified in writing by the M.I.D.A. Director.
• In order to progress automatically into the M.I.D.A. program, students must achieve a grade of “B” or higher in each of the graduate courses being counted for the undergraduate degree. Students not meeting this requirement will have the earned grade applied to the undergraduate degree only and must apply for readmission into the graduate program.
• The undergraduate degree must be awarded within one calendar year after initial enrollment in the Accelerated M.I.D.A. Program. Students not meeting this requirement must reapply to be admitted to the graduate program.
• Students may withdraw at any time from the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program by informing the M.I.D.A. Director and their undergraduate advisor in writing. A copy of the request to withdraw must be sent to the registrar.
• The requirements for the M.I.D.A. degree are expected to be completed within 24 months from the completion of the bachelor’s degree. A total of 42 graduate credit hours are required for the M.I.D.A. degree. Students unable to meet this requirement must apply for an extension with the M.I.D.A. Director.

WMU graduate courses eligible for the program 

Students may take up to four courses from the list below to be taken during the senior year: 

• ECON 5880 Economic Development (ECON 6880 may be substituted) 
• ECON 6010 Basic Economic Analysis 
• PADM 5270 Human Resources Administration 
• PADM 5810 Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation 
• PADM 6060 Applied Research Methods 
• PADM 6100 Public Service Management 
• PADM 6400 Managing Nonprofit Organizations 
• PSCI 5320 Administration in Developing Countries 
• PSCI 5700 Managing Challenges from Climate Change 
• PSCI 5710 Environmentally Sustainable Development 
• PSCI 6311 Monitoring and Evaluation of International Development Projects 
• PSCI 6360 Development Methods and Skills 
• PSCI 6500 Developing Countries Seminar 

Advising

• Dr. Paul Clements is the Director of Master of International Development Administration Program.