Graduate Certificate in International Development

Overview 

The 100% online Graduate Certificate in International Development is designed for professionals who are working in global settings, including program and project managers, politicians, policy analysts, administrators, engineers and scientists. The program’s interdisciplinary approach blends agricultural expertise, engineering insight, and a political science foundation and makes it attractive to students from diverse backgrounds, offering valuable insights across fields. 

The curriculum is designed to teach individuals to examine problems through a global lens and apply a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving. Students learn international development foundations and strategies with electives that allow them to focus in areas such as agricultural policy, global communication, public policy, sustainable engineering and more. The program equips students with skills needed to effectively tackle a wide range of international development issues in such vital areas as food security, trade, sustainability and community resilience. 

Certificate Requirements 

The Graduate Certificate in International Development requires 12 credit hours. An average grade of B or higher in the two core courses and an average of B or higher overall are required.  

Core courses with low grades may be repeated once, or, for elective courses only, substituted for another approved elective. This repetition or replacement will be allowed for a maximum of two courses only. 

Criteria for Admissions

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area (Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or Technology) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or equivalent (A=4.0). 

How to Apply 

Apply at the Application Management page using the campus and program information below. You can return to finish an incomplete application or check the status of a submitted application using the same page. 

  • Campus: Purdue West Lafayette   
  • Major: International Development  
  • Degree Objective: International Development Graduate Certificate  
  • Course Delivery: Distance (online or off-campus location)  

Required Application Materials  

2 Statements of Purpose   

Official Transcripts   

  • Official transcripts are required from all institutions attended, including transfer credits. An official transcript must be sent directly from your previous institution to Purdue using one of the submission methods below. 
  • Those with international transcripts should supply transcripts in both their original language and an English translation, if applicable.   
  • During the application process, you may upload unofficial transcripts (also referred to as personal copies of your official transcripts). You are still required to request additional official transcripts directly from your previous institution(s) by the end of your second semester to avoid registration holds. Academic progress reports and unofficial transcripts from student accounts are not acceptable for upload.  
  • Review the Graduate School's Transcript page for more information.  

To submit official transcripts:  

or   

  • Mail official, unopened transcripts directly from your previous institution to:  

Office of Graduate Admissions   
Purdue University Graduate School   
155 South Grant Street, YONG 170   
West Lafayette, IN 47907   

Resume  

  • 1 – 2 pages in length   
  • Separate your work and non-work experiences into different sections.  

English Proficiency Scores (International Applicants Only) 

Application Fee  

  • Nonrefundable $60 fee for domestic applicants and $75 fee for international applicants 

Application Deadlines  

Fall  

Spring  

Summer  

August 1  

December 1  

May 1 

Resident Non-Resident
Cost Per Credit Hour* $750 $775

*The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.

Contact Us  

  • Prospective Students: Please email poapply@purdue.edu.  
  • Current Students: Please reach out to your Academic Advisor. 

FAQs

Yes. Students can take a maximum of 12 credit hours as a nondegree student and utilize them for a certificate or advanced degree program. Students should ensure they are selecting courses that fit within their desired program’s curriculum. 

Yes. Students can utilize the courses they took within their certificate program for a master’s degree program. A maximum of 12 credits from the DSP certificate can be applied to a Purdue degree program. Check with the department of your intended degree program for specifics.  

Acceptance into the certificate program does NOT assure admission to the Graduate School of Purdue University to pursue an advanced degree. Those who wish to pursue a degree program along with the certificate will need to fill out two separate applications, each with a different semester start term. 

A graduate student is expected to maintain a graduation index representing a B average (3.0/4.0 GPA) or better. A student's 12 credits of graduate coursework must be cumulatively calculated at a 3.0 or higher to receive the Graduate Certificate.  

For more details on policies and grading information, please visit: Policies and Procedures for Administering Graduate Student Programs - Purdue University - Modern Campus Catalog™ - see section VI for grading policies.