Natural resources are important to the economic development process. Forests, water, minerals, and hydrocarbons comprise the inputs to basic industries. Without careful management, the by-products of development can despoil local environments with consequent costs to public health, life quality, and further development itself. Natural resources and environmental concerns also play an increasingly important role in the relationships among developing and economically advanced nations.

In 1984, the faculties of the Economics Department and of the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies recognized the value of integrating instruction in economic development and in natural resources and formalized a degree program that, in two and one-half years, leads to both the Master of Arts degree in Economics and one of four degrees from the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (Master’s of Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Forestry, or Forest Science) The program is designed for individuals who envision careers whose central missions relate natural resource or environmental issues to economic development or trade

Program of Study

The joint IDE/F&ES program requires a minimum of two and one-half years in residence and the successful completion of 20 courses. Students in the joint program must complete all requirements of the IDE program in the two and one-half year period. The F&ES component of the program requires eight core and four elective courses, which are designed to develop a broad multidisciplinary foundation for problem solving. Students will choose an advanced study area and will be required to complete courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, and quantitative methods, along with an independent study course.  The nine advanced study areas include: Ecology, Ecosystems & Biodiversity; Environment, Health & Policy; Forestry, Forest Science & Management; Global Change Science & Policy; Industrial Environmental Management; Policy, Economics & Law; the Social Ecology of Conservation & Development; Urban Ecology & Environmental Design; and Water Science, Policy & Management.

Linkage of the summer internship (between the first and second residence years) and the independent project is desirable but not required. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss potential independent projects with their advisor(s) during their first year in residence in F&ES. With sufficient planning, the independent project can be completed in absentia.

Finally, joint IDE/F&ES students are required to complete the three-week technical skills training module prior to beginning at F&ES.  These modules are offered every August and cover plant identification, ecosystems management, land measurement, and urban ecosystem analysis.

Admissions

Students may enter the joint IDE/F&ES program by two alternate routes. Applicants may apply to both the Graduate School and to the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies at the same time and state their intention to pursue a joint degree, or they may apply to one school before the end of their first year of study at the other. In either case, application is made separately to the two schools, and each school makes its own admission decisions. Applicants will be admitted only at the beginning of the fall term except for those applying after one term of residence.

Graduate Certificate of Concentration in Development Studies

The graduate certificate of concentration in Development Studies provides recognition that a graduate or professional student at Yale has completed interdisciplinary study and integrative research to address fundamental and applied political, economic, social and cultural issues facing developing countries.

The Certificate in Development Studies may be pursued in conjunction with graduate-degree programs in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Professional Schools to allow students to develop and demonstrate their competence in this interdisciplinary field. Award of the Certificate, beyond fulfilling the relevant requirements, is contingent upon the successful completion of the candidate's Yale University degree program. The Development Studies Faculty Adviser may set a limit on the number of applicants accepted for this program in any given year.  

The Certificate courses and research should be planned, in consultation with the Development Studies Faculty Advisor, to clearly demonstrate fulfillment of the goals of the Development Studies Certificate. Certificate candidates should declare their intention to pursue the certificate early in their degree program, and must do so no later than their penultimate term of enrollment.

Candidates for the Certificate will receive preference, after students enrolled in the Council's degree programs, for International Affairs Council travel and research funds that are awarded through annual competitions.

For more information please click here: http://www.yale.edu/ycias/iac/certificates.htm