Its heavy focus on economics and quantitative analysis coupled with an interdisciplinary focus on problems facing developing countries differentiates it from other programs, according to Dani Rodrik '79, Hariri professor of international political economy at the KSG and the other co-chair of the MPA/ID degree program.

He says that there are existing programs that deal with one or the other of these areas separately, but never the combination of both.

"We've set our sights considerably higher than any other program in this country or anywhere else," Rodrik says.

Students in the program say the new program is unmatched at other institutions.

"I haven't found a similar program anywhere else," says MPA/ID student Geogr Mende.

Other degrees offered by KSG, such as the MPA2 or Masters in Public Policy (MPP) are much more general in focus.

"This is a departure for us at the Kennedy school having a masters program in a specific field," says Rodrik. "Our courses can be much more fined tuned to specifics in [international development]."

Catering to Diversity