An Interim Evaluation of the Master’s in Development Practice Initiative of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

  • Description

The Foundation invested in the Master's in Development Practice (MDP) to train a new generation of development practitioners with the technical and practical skills necessary to diagnose and address the interlinked global problems of sustainable development and poverty. This program was designed as a time-bound initiative for the Foundation.

The Foundation commissioned this evaluation to examine (1) the quality and strength of the individual programs and Global MDP Association, (2) the capacity of the Global MDP Secretariat to support the Association, (3) the demand for the program as demonstrated by the quantity, quality, and caliber of students attracted, and (4) the future viability, sustainability, and replicability of the MDP model at other institutions of higher learning. The evaluation team used a mixed method approach. They administered online surveys to MDP institutional leaders, reviewed documents related to the inception and implementation of the initiative, and conducted in-depth interviews with MDP directors, program staff, and students.