The heart of our curriculum is project-based learning, achieved through a combination of coursework, a practicum experience with a development organization and a master's paper. This multi-dimensional approach enables students to acquire a coherent body of substantive knowledge, analytical abilities and management skills, preparing them to create evidence-based, effective solutions to complex development problems.

We are a community that benefits from an immensely diverse group of students and faculty who come to Heller from dozens of countries and the United States. Together, we innovate: we want to combine the best development ideas with the best research, communications and advocacy strategies and a clear social justice vision to create more sustainable, equitable societies. When you graduate, we will help you find your place in the dense network of organizations and institutions that apply the world’s best ideas to its most pressing development challenges.