The certificate in development economics gives students a solid foundation of analytical skills that will enable them to better understand the challenges created by world poverty. They will learn how economics can be used to address the problems of poverty and the impact of globalization on growth and development. Students will focus on such issues as the relationship between population growth and economic growth, the major debates about food self-sufficiency and food security, how child labor and gender discrimination limit economic development, and what environmental problems are posed by economic development.
The certificate in development economics is open to any undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
How to Get in
The certificate in development economics is open to any undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Contact the advisor listed under the Advising and Careers tab for more information or to declare the certificate.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| In order to declare the certificate, the student must have successfully completed one of the following courses: | ||
| A A E 101 | Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics | 4 |
| ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 111 | Principles of Economics-Accelerated Treatment | 4 |
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The certificate requires five courses. | ||
| Complete two core courses: | ||
| A A E/ECON 474 | Economic Problems of Developing Areas | 3 |
| A A E/INTL ST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development | 3 |
| or A A E/INTL ST 374 | The Growth and Development of Nations in the Global Economy | |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| The International Agricultural Economy | ||
| World Hunger and Malnutrition | ||
| Globalization, Poverty and Development | ||
| The Growth and Development of Nations in the Global Economy | ||
| Latin American Economic Development | ||
| Economic Growth and Development in Southeast Asia | ||
| Agricultural and Economic Development in Africa | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability | ||
| Sociology of Developing Societies/Third World | ||
| International Trade | ||
| International Industrial Organizations | ||
| Economics of Growth | ||
| Environmental Conservation | ||
| World Regions in Global Context | ||
| International Business | ||
| Multinational Business Finance | ||
| Topics in Politics and Policy in the Global Economy | ||
| Political Economy of Development | ||
| Analysis of International Relations | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| Select one additional course from any of the courses listed above | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- A student may combine this certificate with any other certificate and/or major. However, students with a major in Agricultural and Applied Economics, a major in Economics, or a major in the Politics and Policy in the Global Economy option in International Studies may count no more than 2 courses toward both their major requirements and the requirements for the certificate in development economics.
- 50% of certificate coursework must be completed in residence.
- Minimum average 2.000 GPA in all certificate courses.
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the impacts of global economic processes, such as trade foreign investment, and migration, on growth and development.
- Understand the contributions of private and public investments in areas such as agriculture, education, environmental resources, health care, industrialization, and technology adoption to growth and development, and the methods for measuring those effects.
Advising and Careers
For academic advising information, please visit: aae.wisc.edu/undergrad/advising/
Students pursuing the certificate in development economics are often interested in careers in international development. Depending on their major, they often find careers in policy analysis, consulting, or working abroad. They can find employment with a variety of employers such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, cooperatives, or multinational firms. Many students pursue graduate degrees in economics, public policy, law, or other areas.
People
Professors
Foltz, Jeremy
Rutherford, Thomas
Schechter, Laura
Shi, Guanming (Chair)
Assistant Professors
Dower, Paul
Mukherjee, Priya
Undergraduate Advisor
Thaw, Michaela
Wisconsin Experience
Study Abroad
Many students declared in the certificate in development economics choose to study abroad. Study abroad programs offer students the opportunity to gain an international perspective and can prepare them to participate in today's global economy. International Academic Programs (IAP) serves as the primary study abroad office on campus, offering more than 200 programs in more than 60 countries around the world. IAP program offerings, available to all majors, range from short-term, faculty-led opportunities to intensive language study, internships, a semester or a year at a university overseas, service learning, and programs with special themes. There are also international programs offered through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Study abroad programs in CALS cover a variety of content areas such as sustainable development, food systems, agriculture, health and wellness, and community and economic development.